The ten-day period is counted from the moment the buyer submits the claim — it does not matter whether the return is related to the improper quality of the product or to false information about it. Previously, each site set its own deadlines: in some cases, money arrived within a few hours, in others, the process stretched without clear restrictions.
The Law on Consumer Protection is now applied to marketplaces in a standard manner. According to the text of the document: "The consumer's demands for a refund of the amount of money paid for the goods, as well as for compensation for losses caused as a result of the sale of goods of improper quality or the provision of improper information about the goods, are subject to satisfaction within ten days from the date of the relevant claim."
At the same time, the law on the platform economy came into force on October 1. The document regulates the activities of digital platforms that act as intermediaries in transactions and provide the opportunity to pay for goods, works or services.
For sellers trading through marketplaces, the new rules mean a direct burden on working capital: platforms will be required to meet a strict deadline for payments, which will require sellers to make timely reserves for possible refunds. This is especially true for importers working with long supply chains: delays in logistics or customs clearance do not exempt them from the obligation to meet the ten-day deadline.
The Law on the Platform Economy creates a unified legal framework for regulating digital intermediaries, from trading platforms to paid services. Its practical application will be shaped by the accumulation of law enforcement practice.
