PayPal Policy for payment holds for eBay items
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eBay and PayPal are working together to make it safer than ever to buy on eBay. One of the boldest steps we're taking is to identify transactions that pose the greatest risk of fraud and holding the payments from sellers for a period of time to help ensure that the transactions go smoothly.
If you have received more than 20 Detailed Seller Ratings (DSRs) in the past 12 months and your DSR average is 4.5 or higher, your payments will not be held.
What is a payment hold for an eBay item?
It is a hold that PayPal places on a payment you receive for an item you sold on eBay. The amounts held will be shown as "Pending" in your PayPal account. You still have access to all other funds in your PayPal account.
Why might my payments be held?
PayPal will hold payments in transactions where the vast majority of seller fraud occurs. Here are the most common instances in which a payment may be held:
You are new to eBay and sell an item above £50
You have a low feedback score and sell an item above £50
More than 5% of your transactions result in dissatisfied buyers*
You have a low Detailed Seller Rating (DSR)
You have not received a significant amount of Detailed Seller Ratings
You are listing your item in a higher-risk category
PayPal will not hold payments for eBay items if you meet the following criteria:
You have been an eBay member for more than 6 months, and
Your total Feedback score is greater than 100, and
Fewer than 5% of your transactions result in dissatisfied buyers*
OR
Your average DSR is greater than 4.5, and
Your have received more than 20 DSRs in the last 12 months
What will happen if my payment is held?
If you receive a payment that is held by PayPal, the amounts held will show as "Pending" in a separate PayPal balance on your account page. You will still have access to all other funds in your PayPal account.
Your funds will immediately be released when one of the following occurs:
The buyer leaves you positive feedback
21 days pass without a dispute, claim, chargeback, or reversal filed on the transaction
If you receive a dispute, claim, chargeback, or reversal on the transaction subject to the hold, PayPal may hold the payment in your Account until the matter is resolved, even if the claim, chargeback or reversal is made after the hold is released.
I am a new seller, will my money be held?
If you are a new seller and have a record of good performance, you will receive your payment instantly in the vast majority of cases.
Learn more about the PayPal policy on payment holds for eBay items.
* Buyer dissatisfaction percentage is measured by adding negative events as a percentage of your transactions. Negative events include negative & neutral Feedback, Detailed Seller Ratings scores of two or less, and Item Not Received or Significantly Not As Described disputes. Learn more about how your buyer dissatisfaction percentage is calculated.