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Last updated: May 27, 2026
The traditional transaction flow is as follows. Numbers in the list correspond to numbers in the figure.
Payflow authorization and capture is a settlement solution that provides increased flexibility in obtaining payments from buyers. An authorization transaction places a hold on the cardholder's open-to-buy limit, lowering the cardholder's limit by the amount of the transaction. It does not transfer funds.
Merchants can perform delayed captures transaction after an authorization to capture the original authorization amount. PayPal schedules the delayed capture for settlement during the next settlement period.
A sale transaction charges the specified amount against the accout and marks the transaction for immediate fund transfer during the next settlement period.
You can only refund a transaction that has not been settled. You need to include the original transaction ID obtained from the transaction's response.
You can void any transaction that has not yet been submitted for settlement. The original transaction ID is obtained from the transaction's response.
Note: Additional advanced features are available. Please see Additional information.
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