PayPal · Decline codes
What does PayPal processor response code 10BR mean?
Checked
PayPal processor response code 10BR (ISSUER_REJECTED) means the bank that issued the card rejected the payment. PayPal's label gives no specific reason, so treat it like a plain bank decline: the shopper should check with their bank or switch cards, and the merchant should allow at most one retry before asking for another way to pay.
- PayPal label
- ISSUER_REJECTED
- Type
- Soft decline
- Who declined
- The card's bank (via PayPal)
- Retry
- Once, after 2–3 days; a second refusal means ask for another payment method
- Shopper action
- Ask the bank, or use another card
- Merchant action
- At most one retry; then request another method
- PlatformDTC renewal (Smart retry)
- One retry after 48–72 hours, then an update-card request
What PlatformDTC does
PlatformDTC maps 10BR to card_declined: the bank said no without a reason. With Smart retry on, a renewal gets a single retry after 48–72 hours, then the customer is asked for another way to pay. The merchant dashboard reads "The bank declined the payment without giving a reason."
Why it happens
The issuing bank said no. PayPal reports only ISSUER_REJECTED, which keeps the reason private, just like a "do not honor".
What the shopper can do
Try a different card or your PayPal balance.
Your bank can tell you why it refused and whether it can let the payment through.
What the store can do
Give the shopper an easy switch to another payment method.
On saved cards, retry once, then ask the customer to update their card.
For developers
PayPal returns 10BR in processor_response.response_code on the capture (purchase_units[].payments.captures[]) or authorization of a card payment. PayPal's own name for it is ISSUER_REJECTED.
Declined card payments can also carry payment_advice_code in processor_response, the card network's advice; store it next to the response code.
Frequently asked questions
- Is 10BR different from 0500 DO_NOT_HONOR?
- PayPal lists them as separate codes, but neither carries a reason. Handle them the same way: one retry at most, then another method.
- Can 10BR clear on its own?
- Sometimes, if the bank's refusal was temporary. That's why one later retry is worth it, and more than one usually isn't.
Sources
Related
- 0500 — Do not honor: the card's bank refused the payment and gave no reason.
- 9540 — Refused card: the card was refused for this payment.
- 5100 — Generic decline: the card was refused and no reason was given.
- 1310 — Invalid amount: the payment amount was refused as invalid.
- 1320 — Invalid currency code: the currency of the payment can't be used here.
- 1330 — Invalid account: the card's account is not valid for payments.
- 1380 — Invalid expiration: the expiry date sent doesn't match a valid card.
- 1382 — Invalid card verification value: the security code (CVV) was rejected.