---
title: "PayPal Dispute Deadline Checker: 180 Days to Open, 20 Days to Escalate (UK, Australia, US)"
description: "Free PayPal dispute deadline checker. See the last day to open a dispute (180 days), the last day to escalate it to a claim (20 days), and which ombudsman to use in the UK, Australia, the US, Canada or the EU if PayPal says no."
url: https://disputekits.com/paypal-dispute-deadline
---

For PayPal buyers · UK, Australia, US, Canada and everywhere · checked 4 November 2026

# PayPal dispute deadline checker

Item didn't arrive, or not what was described? PayPal gives you 180 days from paying to open a dispute, then 20 days to escalate it to a claim. Miss either and the case closes. Enter your dates.

Date you paid

Date you opened the dispute (if you have)

Where you live

How the PayPal payment was funded

## The steps and their time limits

| Step | Time limit |
| --- | --- |
| Open a dispute in the Resolution Centre and message the seller | Within 180 days of paying |
| Escalate the dispute to a claim, so PayPal decides | Within 20 days of opening the dispute, or it closes automatically |
| PayPal's decision | Usually within about 30 days. It may ask for proof, such as photos or tracking. |
| If PayPal says no | Complain to PayPal, then to the ombudsman where you live (below). If you funded the payment by card, you can also ask your card issuer for a chargeback. |

## If PayPal turns you down

- **UK:** the [Financial Ombudsman Service](https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/), free, after PayPal's final response or 8 weeks.
- **Australia:** the [Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA)](https://www.afca.org.au/), free.
- **US:** a complaint to the [CFPB](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/).
- **EU:** PayPal (Europe) is regulated in Luxembourg; you can complain to the CSSF, or use your country's financial ombudsman through FIN-NET.

A card chargeback is separate from the PayPal dispute. Banks usually refuse it while a PayPal case is still open, so finish one route first. Section 75 usually doesn't cover PayPal payments.

[Item not received on PayPal](https://disputekits.com/paypal-item-not-received-dispute) · [Not as described on PayPal](https://disputekits.com/paypal-significantly-not-as-described) · [UK chargeback deadlines](https://disputekits.com/chargeback-uk) · [Card refund letter](https://disputekits.com/card-refund)

Sources: PayPal User Agreement and Buyer Protection terms for the UK, Australia, US and Canada (180-day and 20-day limits); Financial Ombudsman Service; AFCA; CFPB; CSSF. Guidance, not legal advice.