Recurring Payments Profile

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Last updated: Aug 15th, 7:17am

Overview

The Recurring Payments Profile Report (RPP) is for use by any merchant or payment processing partner, who have integrated the Recurring Payments Product. The Recurring Payments Profile Report gives merchants and processing partners detailed information about outstanding subscribed monthly payments.

The Recurring Payments Profile Report is available through PayPal’s website and Secure FTP Server, which is defined and described in the Secure FTP Server Specification. Recurring Payments are created with PayPal Recurring Payments API, as documented in the NVP API Developer Guide and Reference.

Know before you begin

  • The RPP is available via the Secure FTP Server (reports.paypal.com), which requires a separate user account for access to the RPP. A user account that is enabled for the RPP is also enabled to create user accounts for the Secure Drop-Box. To ensure data security, RPP users must generate their own user accounts for the Secure Drop-Box.
  • The RPP is generated and delivered by PayPal on a regular (24 hour) basis. With the initial release of the RPP, the RPP is generated and distributed by 9AM daily in the leading timezone of the reporting window.
  • You can receive the RPP in either comma separated value (csv) or tab delimited values format (tab). Contact your PayPal Account Manager to set the data format for this report.
  • The RPP is available via the Secure FTP Server for 45 days after the date of its delivery.
  • The reports character encoding is UTF-8 (8-bit UCS/Unicode Transformation Format).
  • The reports are available in these formats:
    • Portable Document Format (PDF)
    • Comma-Separated Values (CSV)

Distribution and access

The following steps describe how to set up and access the RPP using the Secure FTP Server:

  1. Create a Secure FTP Server user account. Login to PayPal (www.paypal.com) and create a Secure PayPal Reporting FTP Server username and password. Passwords for accessing the Secure FTP Server cannot be reset by PayPal. To obtain a new password, you must create a new Secure FTP Server user account.

  2. Grant access to third-party users. You must explicitly grant access to third-parties by contacting their PayPal Account Manager to supply the following information: – Third-parties’ PayPal login username – Type of permission: reporting access (read) The third-party is then notified by email that access to the business partner’s Secure FTP Server has been granted.

  3. Access the Secure FTP Server programmatically using an FTP client. The hostname of the Secure FTP Server is reports.paypal.com. A user account on the Secure FTP Server has the following directory structure: /ppreports/outgoing

New or revised versions

In the future, PayPal will support multiple versions of the RPP. PayPal will notify you regarding the creation of any new version as well as any deprecation of older versions of the report.

If you wish to take advantage of a new version, you can receive two versions of the same report concurrently in order to test and integrate the new version. You can also receive nonconsecutive versions of the same report concurrently in order to test and integrate the new version. Contact your PayPal Account Manager to enable different versions and request any changes in report distribution.

Notifications

PayPal operationally monitors the generation and delivery of the RPP on a 24/7 365 basis. PayPal maintains two different user contact points for report notifications:

  • A business contact point for all notifications related to data integrity, data delivery, and new reporting features
  • A technical contact for all notifications related to data integrity, data delivery, system outages, system updates, and new features.

PayPal will notify you of the following events related to reporting.

  • Delays in report delivery
  • Errors in report generation
  • New version availability
  • System outage
  • System update / maintenance (pre-announcement)
  • New reporting feature releases

Contact your PayPal Account Manager to provide PayPal with the appropriate notification email alias. PayPal strongly recommends that you create a distribution list or email alias that allows multiple parties to receive communication about the RPP.

Section 1: Report file name

The filename naming convention depends on whether or not you are using Multiple Account Management.

The filename of the RPP for a single account follows this naming convention:

RPP-yyyymmdd.SequenceNumber.Version.Format
Field Information
RPP An abbreviation for Recurring Payments Profile.
yyyymmdd The date for the data in the report. It represents the latest, or ending date, of the data.
SequenceNumber The sequence number of the report file. It is two characters, right-justified, and zero-filled. The sequence number begins with 01 and continues until all parts of the report are recorded in files. The sequence number is always present in the report filename even if there is only one file.
Version The version of the report. Three characters, right-justified and zero-filled.
Format One of the following:
  • CSV (comma-separated values)
  • TAB (tab-delimited field)

When using Multiple Account Management, the filename of the report follows this naming convention:

RPP-yyyymmdd.ReportingWindow.SequenceNumber.TotalFiles.Version.Format
Field Information
RPP An abbreviation for Recurring Payments Profile.
yyyymmdd The date for the data in the report. It represents the latest, or ending date, of the data.
'ReportingWindow' The window of time when the report was generated, as follows:
  • X: GMT 00:00 to GMT -0500
  • A: GMT -0500 to GMT-0800
  • H: GMT-0800 to GMT +0800
  • R: GMT +0800 to GMT 00:00
SequenceNumber The sequence number of the report file. It is two characters, right-justified, and zero-filled. The sequence number begins with 01 and continues until all parts of the report are recorded in files. The sequence number is always present in the report filename even if there is only one file.
TotalFiles The total number of files of the report for this date. The number of files is always two digits and zero-padded. For example, for 2 total files, TotalFiles is 02.
Version The version of the report. Three characters, right-justified and zero-filled.
Format One of the following:
  • CSV (comma-separated values)
  • TAB (tab-delimited field)

Section 2: File structure

The report can be delivered as either a comma-separated values or tab-delimited file. This section describes the structure of the data file.

A report file can contain a maximum of 1 million records. If the report contains more than 1 million records, the report is split across multiple files. The report is also organized by section, where each section represents a single PayPal account. If you are not using PayPal Multiple Account Management, the report contains only a single section.

Each row of the report consists of a two letter row type, followed by the details specific to that row type. The following table lists the valid row types, along with the sections that describe the data for that row type.

Row types

Code Description Section
RH Report header Report Header Data
FH File header File Header Data
SH Section header Section Header Data
CH Column header Section Body Data
SB Row data Section Body Data
SF Section footer Section Footer Data
SC Section record count Section Record Count Data
RF Report footer Report Footer Data
RC Report record count Report Record Count Data
FF File footer File Footer Data

A report file with fewer than 1 million records (a single file) with only one section is organized as follows:

File
Report Header (RH)
File Header (FH)
Section Header (SH)
Column Header (CH)
Row Data (SB)
...
Row Data (SB)
Section Footer (SF)
Section Record Count (SC)
Report Footer (RF)
Report Record Count (RC)
File Footer (FF)

For report files that are split over multiple files, only the first file has a report header record and only the last file has a report footer and a report record count record. A report with two sections split over two files might be organized as follows:

File 1 File 2
Report Header (RH)
File Header (FH)
Section Header (SH)
Column Header (CH)
Row Data (SB)
...
Row Data (SB)
Section Footer (SF)
Section Record Count (SC)
Section Header (SH)
Column Header (CH)
Row Data (SB)
...
File Footer (FF)
File Header (FH)
Row Data (SB)
...
Row Data (SB)
Section Footer (SF)
Section Record Count (SC)
Report Footer (RF)
Report Record Count (RC)
File Footer (FF)

Section 3: Report data

This section details the columns and related data that is delivered in the report header, report footer, and report record count records.

Report header data

Report header data exists in one row with each element being separated by the file delimiter. All report fields are non-blank unless otherwise noted.

Position Column name Data type Data Description
1 Column Type Literal RH
2 Report Generation Date Date/time The date and time when the report file was generated, in the following format: YYYY/MM/DD HH:MM:SS offset. Where:
  • YYYY is the four-digit year.
  • MM is two-digit month of the year.
  • DD is the two-digit day of the month.
  • HH is the hour in 24-hour notation.
  • MM is minutes.
  • SS is seconds.
  • offset is the five-character signed offset from GMT. For example, +0800.
3 Reporting Window Varchar The window of time when the report was generated, as follows:
  • X: GMT 00:00 to GMT -0500.
  • A: GMT -0500 to GMT-0800.
  • H: GMT-0800 to GMT +0800.
  • R: GMT +0800 to GMT 00:00.
4 Account ID Varchar Account number receiving the report (Payer ID – encrypted hash of PayPal account).
5 Report Version Varchar The version of the report.

Report footer data exists in one row with each element being separated by the file delimiter. All report fields are non-blank unless otherwise noted.

Position Column name Data type Data description
1 Column Type Literal RF
2 Row Count Number The number of body data rows in the report (used for reconciliation). Note that the report may span multiple files.

Report record count data

Report record count data exists in one row with each element being separated by the file delimiter. All report fields are non-blank unless otherwise noted.

Position Column name Data type Data description
1 Column Type Literal RC
2 Row Count Number The number of body data rows in the report (used for reconciliation). Note that the report may span multiple files.

Section 4: File data

This section details the columns and related data that is delivered in the file header and file footer records.

File header data

File header data exists in one row with each element being separated by the file delimiter. All report fields are non-blank unless otherwise noted.

Position Column name Data type Data description
1 Column Type Literal FH
2 Row Count Number The sequence number of the file in the report (used for reconciliation).

File footer data exists in one row with each element being separated by the file delimiter. All report fields are non-blank unless otherwise noted.

Position Column name Data type Data description
1 Column Type Literal FF
2 Row Count Number The number of body data rows in the file (used for reconciliation).

Section 5: Section data

This section details the columns and related data that is delivered in the section header, section footer, and section record count records.

Section header data

All section header data exists in one row with each element being separated by the file delimiter. All report fields are non-blank unless otherwise noted.

Position Column name Data type Data description
1 Column Type Literal SH
2 Reporting Period Start Date Date/time The date time that represents the beginning time period of the report in the following format: YYYY/MM/DD HH:MM:SS offset. Where:
  • YYYY is the four-digit year.
  • MM is two-digit month of the year.
  • DD is the two-digit day of the month.
  • HH is the hour in 24-hour notation.
  • MM is minutes.
  • SS is seconds.
  • offset is the five-character signed offset from GMT. For example, +0800.
3 Reporting Period End Date Date/time The date time that represents the ending time period of the report in the following format: YYYY/MM/DD HH:MM:SS offset. Where:
  • YYYY is the four-digit year.
  • MM is two-digit month of the year.
  • DD is the two-digit day of the month.
  • HH is the hour in 24-hour notation.
  • MM is minutes.
  • SS is seconds.
  • offset is the five-character signed offset from GMT. For example, +0800.
4 Account ID Varchar Account number generated by PayPal.

Section body

Body data exists in one row with each element being separated by the file delimiter. All report fields are non-blank unless otherwise noted.

Before any rows of body data in the report, a column header row lists the name of each of the fields in each body data row. The column header column starts with CH, followed by the Column Name for each body data field (except for the column type field). For example:

CH,"Profile ID","Description","Payer Name","Payer Email","Billing Cycles","Currency Code","Amount","Tax Amount","Ship Amount","Profile Status","Billing Period Type","Billing Cycles Remaining","Date Last Paid","Amount Last Paid","Outstanding Balance","Next Bill Date","Num Failed Payment","Date Last Modified"
Filed name Data characteristics Description
Column Type Literal CH
Profile ID Type: alphanumeric
Max Length: 64 characters
Profile ID of the subscriber; encrypted value given to the customer during profile setup.
Example: I-6FE511321P0478119.
Description Type: alphanumeric
Max Length: 127 characters
Product or service to which the customer is subscribed.
Payer Name Type: Varchar
Blanks: Yes
Max Length: 64 characters
Name of the payer.
Payer Email Type: alphanumeric
Max Length: 127 characters
Email ID of the payer.
Billing cycle Type: numeric
Max Length: 38
Frequency of the scheduled payment. This is a combination of two fields: BillingPeriod + BillingFrequency).
Example: 5 Days
Currency Code Type: currency
Max Length: 3 characters
Currency of the transaction.
Example: USD
Amount Type: numeric
Max Length: 38 characters
Recurring payment base amount (in cents).
Example: 2000
Tax Amount Type: numeric
Max Length: 38 characters
Tax amount to be added to the base amount (in cents).
Example: 180
Ship Amount Type: numeric
Max Length: 38 characters
Shipping and handling amount to be added to the base amount.
Example: 500
Profile Status Type: alpha
Max Length: 1 character
Status of the profile. Values are:
  • Active
  • Cancelled
  • Cancelled Due To Non Activity
Billing Period Type Type: alpha
Max Length: 1 character
Type of the billing period. Values are:
  • Trial
  • Regular
Billing Cycles Remaining Type: alpha
Max Length: 1 character
The number of billing cycles remaining.
Example: 2
Date Last Paid Type: date Date and time of the last successful payment, in the following format: YYYY/MM/DD HH:MM:SS offset. Where:
  • YYYY is the four-digit year.
  • MM is two-digit month of the year.
  • DD is the two-digit day of the month.
  • HH is the hour in 24-hour notation.
  • MM is minutes.
  • SS is seconds.
  • offset is the five-character signed offset from GMT. For example, +0800.
Amount Last Paid Type: numeric
Max Length: 38 characters
Amount (in cents) of last successful payment.
Example: 2680
Outstanding Balance Type: numeric
Max Length: 38 characters
Amount delinquent.
Next Bill Date Type: date Date and time of the next scheduled bill date, in the following format: YYYY/MM/DD HH:MM:SS offset. Where:
  • YYYY is the four-digit year.
  • MM is two-digit month of the year.
  • DD is the two-digit day of the month.
  • HH is the hour in 24-hour notation.
  • MM is minutes.
  • SS is seconds.
  • offset is the five-character signed offset from GMT. For example, +0800.
Num failed Payment Type: numeric Number of failed payments currently associated with the profile.
Example: 2
Date_Last_Modified Type: date Date and time the profile was last modified, in the following format: YYYY/MM/DD HH:MM:SS offset. Where:
  • YYYY is the four-digit year.
  • MM is two-digit month of the year.
  • DD is the two-digit day of the month.
  • HH is the hour in 24-hour notation.
  • MM is minutes.
  • SS is seconds.
  • offset is the five-character signed offset from GMT. For example, +0800.

Section footer data exists in one row with each element being separated by the file delimiter. All report fields are non-blank unless otherwise noted.

Position Column name Data type Data description
1 Column Type Literal SF
2 Row Count Number The number of body data rows in the section (used for reconciliation).

Section record count data

Section record count data exists in one row with each element being separated by the file delimiter. All report fields are non-blank unless otherwise noted.

Position Column name Data type Data description
1 Column Type Literal SC
2 Row Count Number The number of body data rows in the section (used for reconciliation).

Sample CSV report

    1"RH",2007/12/05 22:43:15 -0800,"A","QRQJ9CLWCBH3Q",001,<br />
    2 FH,01<br />
    3 SH,2007/12/03 00:00:00 -0800,2007/12/03 23:59:59 -0800,"QRQJ9CLWCBH3Q"<br />
    4 CH,"Profile ID","Description","Payer Name","Payer Email","Billing Cycles","Currency Code","Amount","Tax Amount","Ship Amount","Profile Status","Billing Period Type","Billing Cycles Remaining","Date Last Paid","Amount Last Paid","Outstanding Balance","Next Bill Date","Num Failed Payment","Date Last Modified"<br />
    5 SB,"I-6FE511321P0478119","Item6","PrabhaS","pshanmugam-us2-buyer@paypal.com","1Days","USD",500,100,100,"Suspended","Regular",0,"",,100,"",1,"2007/12/0302:00:35 -0800"<br />
    6 SF,2<br />
    7 SC,2<br />
    8 RF,2<br />
    9 RC,2<br />
    10 FF,2<br />

    Version history

    Publication date Version Changes
    September 2020 1.3 Converted this report specification documentation from PDF to HTML.
    April 2019 1.2 Updated the file record limit from 100,000 to 1 million.
    September 2015 1.1 Various content changes
    September 2012 1.0.3 Changed file format to - RPP-yyyymmdd.sequenceNumber.version.format
    August 2012 1.0.2 Updated data description for Payer Name.
    October 2008 1.0.1 Updated information about report retention time on the Secure FTP Server and changed the Secure FTP server directory location from ppreports to ppreports/outgoing.
    March 2008 1.0.0 First release of PayPal Recurring Payments Profile Report.

    See also

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