Refund Policy

Refund Policy

At Annals of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (ACGH), we are committed to providing transparent information about our refund policies for article processing charges (APCs) and other related fees.

1. Eligibility for Refunds

You may be eligible for a refund under the following conditions:

  • Manuscript rejected during initial editorial screening due to journal error
  • Technical issues on our platform prevented submission processing
  • Duplicate payment processed in error
  • Payment made for incorrect article type or fee structure

2. Refundable vs Non-Refundable Components

✓ Refundable Components

  • Article Processing Charges (APCs) – in eligible cases
  • Duplicate payments
  • Overpayments due to system errors
  • Fees for services not rendered due to journal error

✗ Non-Refundable Components

  • APCs for manuscripts rejected after peer review
  • Fees for manuscripts withdrawn by authors
  • Processing fees for completed editorial work
  • Rush publication fees (if service was delivered)

3. Refund Timelines

Request Timeline

  • Within 30 days of payment for technical errors or duplicate charges
  • Within 7 days of editorial decision for manuscript-related refunds
  • Within 90 days maximum for any refund request

Processing Timeline

  • Credit card refunds: 5–10 business days
  • Bank transfers: 10–15 business days
  • International transfers: 15–20 business days

4. How to Request a Refund

  1. Email your refund request to [email protected]
  2. Include manuscript ID, payment reference, and detailed reason for refund
  3. Attach supporting documentation (payment receipt, correspondence, etc.)
  4. Await review and decision within 5–7 business days

5. Processing Method

Refunds are processed using the same method as the original transaction:

  • Credit/Debit cards: Direct refund to original card
  • Bank transfers: Returned to originating account
  • Third-party processors: Refunded via original payment gateway

Note: Processing fees may be deducted as per payment processor policies.

6. Exceptions & Special Cases

  • Manuscript Quality Issues: No refunds for rejections due to poor quality or failure to meet journal standards
  • Completed Editorial Work: No refunds once peer review is completed and decision rendered
  • Author-Initiated Withdrawals: No refunds for withdrawals after editorial processing has begun
  • Force Majeure: Exceptions may be made for extraordinary circumstances beyond journal control

Questions or Concerns?

For any questions regarding our refund policy or to discuss your specific situation, please contact us at:

Last updated: August 14, 2025 | This policy is subject to change with notice