Capture

The second step of card processing, converting an authorized transaction into a settlement instruction. Capture must occur within the scheme's presentment window (typically within 30 days of authorization for Visa/Mastercard) to avoid late-presentment chargebacks.

In practice.

Capture is the moment an approved authorization becomes money in motion. Merchants who ship goods capture at dispatch, not at order, both for scheme compliance and to avoid refunding captured funds on cancellations. The gap between auth and capture is also where fraud review happens.

Related terms: Authorization · Batch · Settlement