Money you top up into your FansBuy account stays as a prepaid balance until you spend it on products, shipping, or value-added services. If you have leftover balance you no longer need, you can request a withdrawal back to the payment source you originally used. This article explains how long that takes and which fees apply, so there are no surprises when the money lands.
How long a withdrawal takes
Processing time depends on the payment channel and, for card refunds, on your bank. As a general guide:
- PayPal balance: refunds back to a PayPal wallet are usually the fastest, typically completing within a few business days.
- Bank / debit / credit card: refunds routed back to a card take noticeably longer, generally on the order of one to two weeks, because the receiving bank controls the final posting date.
These windows are estimates, not guarantees. Weekends, public holidays in China or your own country, and extra bank-side verification can all add time. The exact status and current estimate for your request are always shown in your FansBuy account, so check there first before assuming a delay.
Understanding the fees
The most important thing to know is that the fee charged by the payment channel when you first topped up is not returned when you withdraw. That fee was paid to the payment processor (PayPal, OnlyPay, or your card network) at the moment of the original transaction, and it does not come back to FansBuy, so it cannot be refunded to you.
- Partial withdrawals: if you only withdraw part of your balance, the non-refundable portion is calculated against the amount you are pulling out. The channel fee that was originally paid on that specific portion stays deducted.
- Processing fee: some channels also apply a fixed per-transaction handling fee on the withdrawal itself. The precise amount depends on the channel and can change, so confirm the current figure at the moment you submit the request.
Practical tips before you withdraw
- Because top-up fees are not recoverable, it is smarter to top up amounts close to what you actually plan to spend rather than parking a large balance you may later withdraw.
- Withdraw back to the same method you paid with where possible; mismatched routing can slow the refund or trigger extra checks.
- Make sure your receiving PayPal account or bank details are correct and active. Outdated or closed accounts are the most common reason a refund appears "stuck."
- Keep your order or transaction reference handy in case customer support needs it to trace a payment.
Quick FAQ
Can I get my original top-up fee back? No. That fee belongs to the payment channel and is non-refundable on withdrawal, including for partial withdrawals.
Why has my card refund not arrived yet? Card refunds depend on your bank's posting schedule and can take longer than the estimate. If it has been beyond the expected window, contact FansBuy support with your transaction details.
Where do I see the current fees and timing? Always confirm the live figures and status inside your FansBuy account or with customer service, as channel fees and processing times can change over time.