Capture is the action of finalizing a credit card authorization to actually withdraw the funds from the customer’s account. When a card is “swiped” or authorized, the money is just held. “Capturing” moves the money into your merchant balance.
FAQs:
- Can I capture an amount different from the authorization?
Yes, usually you can capture a lower amount (partial capture), but capturing a higher amount often requires a new authorization. - When do I need to capture funds?
Typically within 7 days of authorization. After that, the authorization hold expires and the money is released back to the customer. - Does “Charge for Stripe” capture automatically?
By default, yes. Most simple transactions authorize and capture instantly (Auth & Capture). However, you can choose to just authorize (Pre-Auth) and capture later.
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