Why is my payment on hold or unavailable?

We may hold payments for various reasons based on the account's activity. Log in to your account and click on Know your options under your PayPal balance to learn why we are holding your payment and how you can release it.

Here are a few examples of why we may place payments on hold:   

• You’re a new seller with PayPal or an established seller who opened a new account. New PayPal sellers can take time to build positive reputations.   
• You haven’t sold in a while and are still building a positive seller reputation.   
• Multiple customers reported problems or requested refunds.   
• Your selling pattern appears to have changed or seems unusual.   
• You’re selling higher-risk items such as event tickets, consumer electronics, travel packages, or gift cards.
• The payment is a personal remittance and not a commercial transaction. You’ll need to refund the payment and receive it by other means. If the person sending you money lives in Canada, the US, the UK, or in most European countries and regions, they can use Xoom.

For tax holds, check PayPal tax holds for US taxpayers