# Transaction Lifecycle

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⏱ 5 min
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👤 Merchant Onboarding Team (Marcel K.)
## 1) When should I call the Authorize transaction request / Payment Request?

Transmit a [Authorize transaction request](/apis/payment/openapi/payment_api/transaction-management/createtransaction) on Payment API v2 / [Payment Request](/docs/developer/api_integration/payment_1.8/payment_api_documentation/the_ratepay_gateway_operations/place_order/payment_request) on Payment API v1 when the buyer agreed to the [terms & conditions](/docs/legal/a_legal_requirements_for_the_integration/basic_integration#basic-integration-in-your-checkout), confirms the order and you have complete buyer, address, and basket data.

## 2) When is the claim activated?

Upon [Capture](/apis/payment/openapi/payment_api/capture/capturetransaction) (Payment API v2) or [Confirmation Deliver](/docs/developer/api_integration/payment_1.8/payment_api_documentation/the_ratepay_gateway_operations/follow_up_operations/confirmation_deliver) (Payment API v1), i.e., after shipment is initiated.

## 3) Can I partially capture?

Yes. [Capture](/apis/payment/openapi/payment_api/capture/capturetransaction) (Payment API v2) or transmit the [Confirmation Deliver](/docs/developer/api_integration/payment_1.8/payment_api_documentation/the_ratepay_gateway_operations/follow_up_operations/confirmation_deliver) (Payment API v1) only shipped items/quantities. Multiple captures per transaction are supported.

## 4) What if an item is out of stock?

[Capture](/apis/payment/openapi/payment_api/capture/capturetransaction) (Payment API v2) or transmit the [Confirmation Deliver](/docs/developer/api_integration/payment_1.8/payment_api_documentation/the_ratepay_gateway_operations/follow_up_operations/confirmation_deliver) (Payment API v1) for what is shipped; cancel the remaining items or perform a later capture when stock arrives, as your policy allows.

## 5) Can I increase the order after authorization?

Use the [Incrementally authorize request](/apis/payment/openapi/payment_api/incremental-authorization/incrementalauthorizationtransaction) (Payment API v2) or [Payment Change@change-order](/docs/developer/api_integration/payment_1.8/payment_api_documentation/the_ratepay_gateway_operations/follow_up_operations/payment_change#change-order) (Payment API v1) to increase the authorized amount. A new risk check is performed for the increment.

## 6) Can I decrease the order after authorization?

Yes - by capturing fewer items or lower amounts. For v1, use [Payment Change@change-order](/docs/developer/api_integration/payment_1.8/payment_api_documentation/the_ratepay_gateway_operations/follow_up_operations/payment_change#change-order) where applicable.

## 7) How do refunds work?

After capture, use the [Refund transaction request](/apis/payment/openapi/payment_api/refund/refundtransaction) (Payment API v2) or [Payment Change@return]([Payment Change@change-order request](/docs/developer/api_integration/payment_1.8/payment_api_documentation/the_ratepay_gateway_operations/follow_up_operations/payment_change#return) (Payment API v1) to return amounts or items. Multiple partial refunds are supported up to the captured total.

## 8) Can I cancel after capture?

Cancellations apply to uncaptured authorizations. After capture, use Refund.

## 9) Can I cancel partially?

Yes - cancel remaining (not yet captured) items/amounts from the authorization.

## 10) How do I handle multi‑shipment orders?

Perform multiple captures. Each capture should list the items/quantities included in that shipment.

## 11) What about pre‑orders?

Authorize when you are ready and have the buyer’s consent; capture when shipping begins. Check authorization validity windows. (Standard: 120 days)

## 12) Does a transaction expire?

For Payment API v1 transactions, there is directly no expiry date. Ratepay will reach out to you after some time with a list of open transactions to confirm if they will still be delivered or should be cancelled.
For Payment API v2, the expiry date will be responded after successful authorization of a transaction. If the time window passes, you may need to re‑authorize or use the Change transaction request, depending on timing and configuration. (Standard: 120 days)

## 13) Can I re‑attempt an authorization after decline?

Yes - depending on the decline. See [here](/docs/developer/api_integration/payment_2.0/declines/decline_categories) for further details.

## 14) How do I display statuses to buyers?

Map technical statuses to user‑friendly messages, which are mentioned [here](/docs/developer/api_integration/payment_2.0/declines/decline_categories).