Manage authorization holds and capture timing to avoid hold expiry on delayed shipments

In-depth guide

Steps

1. Create a PaymentIntent with capture_method: manual to place an authorization hold without immediately capturing funds
2. Confirm the PaymentIntent to authorize the card; Stripe returns a PaymentIntent with status requires_capture and an authorized amount
3. Monitor the authorization expiry window — Visa and Mastercard holds expire after 7 days for most card types; Stripe surfaces the expiry via the payment_intent.amount_capturable_updated event
4. Capture the funds before expiry via POST /v1/payment_intents/{id}/capture; you may capture a lesser amount than authorized but not more
5. For delayed shipments, use incremental authorization (where supported) to extend the hold by submitting an updated amount before the original hold expires
6. If the hold lapses before capture, cancel the PaymentIntent and create a new one — you cannot capture an expired authorization