PayPal · Decline codes
What does PayPal processor response code 5150 mean?
Checked
PayPal processor response code 5150 (PICKUP_CARD_SPECIAL_CONDITIONS) means the bank has flagged the card to be taken out of use under special conditions. PayPal's own instruction is: "Try using another card. Do not retry the same card." Tell the shopper only that the card was declined and ask for another payment method; don't retry.
- PayPal label
- PICKUP_CARD_SPECIAL_CONDITIONS
- Type
- Hard decline
- Who declined
- The card's bank (via PayPal)
- Similar Visa code
- 07 (Pick up card, special condition (fraud account)): Visa Category 1: never resubmit for the same card
- Retry
- No, not on the same card
- Shopper action
- Use a different card
- Merchant action
- Never retry; ask for another method
- PlatformDTC renewal
- No retry; one-click update-card link and reminders
What PlatformDTC does
PlatformDTC maps PayPal 5150 to pickup_card, a decline no retry can fix. On either retry schedule (the default Fixed schedule or Smart retry), the renewal is never re-attempted on that card: the subscription is held past due (not cancelled) and the customer gets a one-click update-card link, re-sent up to 4 times per cycle. If those reminders run out and the store's auto-cancel setting is on, the subscription ends as involuntary churn.
Why it happens
A pick-up response means the bank no longer wants the card used at all. PayPal adds "special conditions" without saying more, and the bank doesn't share the reason with merchants.
What the shopper can do
Pay with another card or your PayPal balance, and contact your bank about this card.
What the store can do
Don't retry, and don't tell the shopper the card was flagged; a plain "declined, please use another card" is enough.
Visa's comparable pick-up code (07) is in its never-resubmit category.
For developers
PayPal returns 5150 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 PICKUP_CARD_SPECIAL_CONDITIONS.
Visa has a similarly named raw response code, 07 ("Pick up card, special condition (fraud account)"); in the Visa Core Rules (24 October 2026, Table 7-2) that code is category 1: never resubmit for the same card. PayPal's code list doesn't map its codes to Visa's, so treat this as context, not a translation.
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
- Does 5150 mean the card is stolen?
- PayPal doesn't say. It only says special conditions apply and not to retry the same card.
- What should the checkout show for 5150?
- A neutral decline message and a way to pay with something else. Details about the card's status are for the bank to discuss with its cardholder.
Sources
Related
- 9520 — Lost or stolen: the card was reported lost or stolen; PayPal says use another card.
- 9500 — Suspected fraud: the payment was flagged; PayPal says use another card.
- 5180 — Invalid or restricted card: this card can't be used; PayPal says try another.
- 5160 — Unauthorized user: the person paying isn't authorized to use this card.
- 5170 — AVS failure: the billing address didn't match the bank's records.
- 5200 — Duplicate transaction: a matching payment was already submitted.
- 5400 — Expired card: the card is past its expiry date.
- 5650 — SCA required: the bank needs the cardholder to authenticate the payment.