Capture
Definition
Capture submits an authorized payment for processing; it does not guarantee settlement or payout.
Capture is a merchant or payment provider instruction to submit all or part of an authorized card payment for processing. Authorization and capture may be requested together or separately through a provider API; those API choices do not by themselves define whether the card network uses a single-message or dual-message clearing flow. Capture does not guarantee settlement or merchant payout.
Capture in the lifecycle
A provider may capture automatically after authorization or wait for a separate capture request. A successful capture moves the payment into downstream clearing and settlement processing; the issuer, acquirer and provider still have steps to complete before proceeds are paid to the merchant. The provider's payment status and settlement report are the operational confirmation, not the fact that an API request was accepted.
Do not confuse an API's automatic-capture setting with the network's message model. In a dual-message card flow, authorization and financial presentment are separate network messages. Provider APIs may abstract or combine parts of this process, and their labels are product-specific.
Example: a shop authorizes $80 for a cart, then captures $55 when only part of the order ships. The provider may release the unclaimed $25 authorization, but the behavior depends on the integration and payment method. Check the resulting payment state and the provider's partial-capture rules before treating the remainder as available.
For capture windows, reversals, refunds and the state-based next action, see authorization, capture, and settlement.
Related terms
Authorization
Authorization is the process in which an issuer or payment-method provider appro...
Pre-Authorization
A pre-authorization is a card authorization obtained before the final amount is ...
PSP
A Payment Service Provider (PSP) is a company that enables merchants to accept e...
Settlement
Settlement discharges payment obligations through the transfer of funds. Interba...
Void
A void is a provider's operation for cancelling or reversing a card payment befo...