Wildberries Removes 3% Fees for Visa and Mastercard Payments in Russia
Wildberries, the Russian marketplace, has halted the 3 percent commission that was levied on orders paid with Visa and Mastercard, and the company will also refund the additional amounts previously charged to customers, according to a report from RIA News.
The market source indicated that the decision followed a meeting at the Office of the Prosecutor General that included representatives from Wildberries, the Bank of Russia, and Rospotrebnadzor. The gathering aimed to address concerns over the payment mechanism and the extra charges tied to card payments.
According to the statement from Wildberries, the company has ceased applying the additional costs for direct card payments. The market also announced that suspended extra funds would be returned to all platform customers, ensuring refunds where appropriate.
During the same working session, officials discussed issues related to the handling of goods of inadequate quality. It was noted that there would be no charge for returning such items, and if buyers reject items of adequate quality, the company will arrange the return of the goods. The cost to buyers would exclude reverse logistics expenses, aligning with standard consumer protection practices.
Earlier reports indicated that the Attorney General’s Office had summoned representatives from Wildberries and from several banks as part of an update to the trading platform’s rules. The Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office conveyed that investigations have begun into media publications about the introduction of additional commissions for purchases paid with Visa and Mastercard on Wildberries and the collection of fees for returns. Wildberries had cited sanctions on the Russian Federation as a reason for the alleged new charges, while additional details were highlighted in coverage from Newspapers.Ru as the key source of information.
Previously, the Russian market had announced plans to expand into car sales, signaling a broader diversification of the marketplace’s offerings.