AfreecartHow does escrow work on Afreecart?
Afreecart holds your payment until your order is completed, so sellers are only paid once you confirm delivery. Here's exactly when money moves, how early releases work, and what happens if something goes wrong.
On Afreecart, your payment is held in escrow: you pay when you order, but the seller only receives the money once the order is completed. An order completes when you confirm you've received it, or automatically 7 days after the seller marks it delivered if you haven't reported a problem.
Why use escrow?
Buying from someone in another country means trusting a seller you've never met. Escrow removes most of that risk for both sides:
- Buyers know the seller can't take the money and disappear.
- Sellers know the buyer has already paid in full before they ship.
When does the seller get paid?
| Order type | How you release payment |
|---|---|
| Product orders | Tap Confirm Receipt on the order once it arrives |
| Service and hire orders | Tap Confirm Work Done once the work is finished |
| Hire and Buy For Me requests | Mark the request as completed from its detail page |
If you do nothing and don't report a problem, payment is released automatically 7 days after the seller marks the order delivered (or the work done). Confirming can't be undone, so check your order first.
Can I pay part of the money before delivery?
Yes. Once the seller has confirmed your order, tap Release Part of Payment and choose a percentage, up to 90% in total, in one go or in steps. The rest is paid when the order completes. This helps sellers who need funds to fulfil a custom or large order.
What happens if something goes wrong?
- Open the order and tap Report a Problem, any time after the seller has confirmed it and before the order completes.
- Describe what happened: missing, damaged, wrong or not as described.
- The order moves to Under Review and the seller isn't paid while Afreecart looks into it.
- You're notified of the outcome: either the seller is paid, or the order is cancelled and you're refunded.
Refunds go back to the payment method you used. How long they take to arrive depends on your bank or payment provider.
What does escrow mean for sellers?
When a buyer pays, the seller's share (the item price less Afreecart's service fee) shows as pending. It moves to the seller's available balance when the order completes, or earlier if the buyer releases part of the payment. Earnings released in the last 3 days can't be withdrawn yet, to protect against fraud. The minimum withdrawal is $10 or the equivalent.
Frequently asked questions
How do I pay on Afreecart?
Payments go through Flutterwave by card, bank transfer or USSD. The checkout shows your total, including tax and other fees, before you pay.
What if my connection drops after paying?
Your order isn't lost. The app saves your payment and finishes placing the order automatically once you're back online, or the next time you open it. If the order still doesn't appear, contact support with the reference shown.
Does escrow apply to services and hire requests?
Yes. Service, hire and Buy For Me orders follow the same rules and protections as product orders. For services, the seller marks the work as done and you confirm it.