A novel iron perovskite YCu3Fe4O12 was synthesized under high pressure and high temperature of 15 GPa and 1273 K. Synchrotron X-ray and electron diffraction measurements have demonstrated that this compound crystallizes in the cubic AA'3B4O12-type perovskite structure (space group Im $$(3) over bar, No. 204) with a lattice constant of a = 7.30764(10) angstrom at room temperature. YCu3Fe4O12 exhibits a charge disproportionation of 8Fe(3.75+) -> 3Fe(5+) + 5Fe(3+), a ferrimagnetic ordering, and a metal-semiconductor-like transition simultaneously at 250 K, unlike the known isoelectronic compound LaCu3Fe4O12 that currently shows an intersite charge transfer of 3Cu(2+) + 4Fe(3.75+) -> 3Cu(3+) + 4Fe(3+), an antiferromagnetic ordering, and a metal-insulator transition at 393 K. This finding suggests that intersite charge transfer is not the only way of relieving the instability of the Fe3.75+ state in the A(3+)Cu(3)(2+)Fe(4)(3.75+)O(12) perovskites. Crystal structure analysis reveals that bond strain, rather than the charge account of the A-site alone, which is enhanced by large A(3+) ions, play an important role in determining which of intersite charge transfer or charge disproportionation is practical.