PayPal · Decline codes
What does PayPal processor response code PPFR mean?
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PayPal processor response code PPFR (RESTRICTED_FUNDING_INSTRUMENT) means the card or account used to pay is restricted, so the payment was declined. PayPal doesn't say what the restriction is. The shopper should use another card or funding source, or ask the bank or PayPal about the restriction; merchants should not retry.
- PayPal label
- RESTRICTED_FUNDING_INSTRUMENT
- Type
- Hard decline
- Who declined
- PayPal or the card's bank
- Retry
- No, not on the same card
- Shopper action
- Use another funding source
- Merchant action
- Don't retry; ask for another method
- PlatformDTC renewal
- No retry; one-click update-card link and reminders
What PlatformDTC does
PlatformDTC treats PPFR as restricted_card, a hard decline. On either retry schedule (the default Fixed schedule or Smart retry), nothing is retried on the same card; the merchant dashboard says the customer needs to pay with a different card, and the customer receives a signed update-card link (no login) plus up to 4 reminders per billing cycle.
Why it happens
A restriction applies to the funding instrument. Which party set it, and why, isn't in PayPal's label.
What the shopper can do
Choose another card or funding source in PayPal.
Ask your bank (or PayPal, for a PayPal account) what the restriction is.
What the store can do
Ask for a different payment method; send an update-card link for subscriptions.
For developers
PayPal returns PPFR 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 RESTRICTED_FUNDING_INSTRUMENT.
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 PPFR the same as 5180?
- PayPal labels 5180 INVALID_OR_RESTRICTED_CARD; PPFR names the funding instrument. PlatformDTC records both as restricted_card.
- Can the restriction be lifted?
- Only by whoever set it, the bank or PayPal, at the account holder's request.
Sources
Related
- 5180 — Invalid or restricted card: this card can't be used; PayPal says try another.
- PPAB — Account blocked by issuer: the card's bank has blocked the account.
- 5150 — Pick up card, special conditions: the bank wants this card out of use.
- INSTRUMENT_DECLINED — Instrument declined: the card or bank in the buyer's PayPal was refused.
- PAYER_ACTION_REQUIRED — Payer action required: the buyer must go back to PayPal to finish the payment.
- PAYER_CANNOT_PAY — Payer cannot pay: this buyer's and this seller's PayPal settings don't allow the payment.
- TRANSACTION_REFUSED — Transaction refused: PayPal refused the request without a specific reason.
- PAYEE_ACCOUNT_RESTRICTED — Payee account restricted: the merchant's PayPal account is restricted.