Integration Guide

Getting Started With Express Checkout
Handling Payment Settlements With Express Checkout
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54 April 2012 PayPal Payments Pro Integration Guide
Sale Payment Action for Express Checkout
A sale payment action represents a single payment that completes a purchase for a specified
amount.
A sale is the default Express Checkout payment action; however, you can also specify the
following action in your SetExpressCheckout and DoExpressCheckoutPayment
requests:
PAYMENTREQUEST_n_PAYMENTACTION=Sale
A sale is the most straightforward payment action. Choose this payment action if the
transaction, including shipping of goods, can be completed immediately. To use this payment
action:
 The final amount of the payment must be known when you invoke the
DoExpressCheckoutPayment API operation
 You should intend to fulfill the order immediately, such as would be the case for digital
goods or for items you have in stock for immediate shipment
After you execute the DoExpressCheckoutPayment API operation, the payment is
complete and further action is unnecessary. You cannot capture a further payment or void any
part of the payment when you use this payment action.
Authorization Payment Action for Express Checkout
An authorization payment action represents an agreement to pay and places the buyer’s funds
on hold for up to three days.
To set up an authorization, specify the following payment action in your
SetExpressCheckout and DoExpressCheckoutPayment requests:
PAYMENTREQUEST_n_PAYMENTACTION=Authorization
An authorization enables you to capture multiple payments up to 115% of, or USD $75 more
than, the amount you specify in the DoExpressCheckoutPayment request. Choose this
payment action if you need to ship the goods before capturing the payment or if there is some
reason not to accept the payment immediately.
The honor period, for which funds can be held, is three days. The valid period, for which the
authorization is valid, is 29 days. You can reauthorize the 3-day honor period at most once
within the 29-day valid period.
You can void an authorization, in which case the uncaptured part of the amount specified in
the DoExpressCheckoutPayment request becomes void and can no longer be captured. If
no part of the payment has been captured, the entire payment becomes void and nothing can be
captured.