Integration Guide

PayPal Payments Standard Integration Guide June 2012 399
Using Authorization & Capture
Recommendations for Best Use of Authorization & Capture
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Recommendations for Best Use of Authorization & Capture
Here are recommendations to ensure the best experience for buyers and to get the most from
Authorization & Capture.
Capturing Funds on Basic Authorizations
PayPal recommends that you capture funds within the honor period of three days because
PayPal will honor the funds for a 3-day period after the basic authorization. If you attempt to
capture funds after the 3-day period and the authorization fails, your request to capture funds
may be declined.
After day 4 of the authorization period, you can initiate a reauthorization, which will start a
new 3-day honor period. However, it will not extend the original authorization period past 29
days. For example, if you successfully complete a reauthorization on day 29 of the
authorization period, funds will only be honored until the end of the 29th day, and a new 3-day
honor period will start but not extend beyond day 29.
You should capture funds within 24 hours after you ship your buyer’s order.
Buyer Approval for Basic Authorizations
A buyer-initiated authorization allows you to capture funds from the buyer’s account up to
115% of the originally authorized amount (not to exceed an increase of $75 USD) and up to
$10,000 USD.
IMPORTANT: If you want to update any details of the purchase that change the original
authorization amount, PayPal requires that you obtain consent from the buyer
at the time of purchase or at the time of capture.
Voiding Basic Authorizations
You should void an authorization if the authorization or reauthorization will not be used.
Voiding the authorization unlocks the temporary hold placed on your buyer’s funding sources.