Authorization declined

Last updated: April 30, 2025

This Issuing event occurs when an authorization request for a transaction is declined.


1{
2  "id": "evt_az5sblvku4ge3dwpztvyizgcau",
3  "type": "authorization_declined",
4  "version": "2.0.0",
5  "created_on": "2018-04-10T08:13:14Z",
6  "data": {
7    "id": "msg_abcd5fg6hievapshljklmnop4",
8    "card": {
9      "id": "crd_fa6psq242dcd6fdn5gifcq1491",
10      "metadata": {
11        "reference": "X-123456-N11",
12        "udf1": "metadata1",
13        "udf2": "metadata2",
14        "udf3": "metadata3",
15        "udf4": "metadata4",
16        "udf5": "metadata5"
17      }
18    },
19    "cardholder":{
20      "id": "crh_urdihafyo75evcr55s62jmwwhy"
21    },
22    "entity":{
23      "id": "ent_urdihafyo75evcr55s62jmwwhy"
24    },
25    "client":{
26      "id": "cli_urdihafyo75evcr55s62jmwwhy"
27    },
28    "decision_source": "issuer",
29    "transaction_id": "trx_y3oqhf46pyzuxjbcn2giaqnb44",
30    "transaction_type": "purchase",
31    "transmission_date_time": "2018-04-10T08:12:14Z",
32    "local_transaction_date_time": "2018-04-10T08:12:14",
33    "authorization_type": "final_authorization",
34    "transaction_amount": 1000,
35    "transaction_currency": "GBP",
36    "billing_amount": 900,
37    "billing_currency": "EUR",
38    "billing_conversion_rate": 0.925643,
39    "ecb_conversion_rate": 0.9,
40    "digital_card_information": {             
41      "digital_card_id": "dcr_fa6psq242dcd6fdn5gifcq1491",
42      "device_type": "phone",                 
43      "wallet_type": "apple_pay"              
44    },
45    "merchant": {
46      "merchant_id": "59889",
47      "name" : "Carrefour",
48      "city": "Paris",
49      "state": "",                            
50      "country": "FRA",                   
51      "category_code": "5021",
52      "street_address": "Wenlock Works, Shepherdess Walk"
53    },
54    "decline_reason": "insufficient_funds",
55    "transit_information": {
56        "transaction_type": "authorized_aggregated_split_clearing",
57        "transportation_mode": "urban_bus"
58    },
59    "point_of_sale_transaction_date" : "2023-04-25",
60    "reference_transaction": {
61        "transaction_id": "trx_fa6psq242dcd6fdn5gifcq1491",
62        "reference_type": "original_recurring"
63    },
64    "three_d_secure": {
65      "requested_exemption_or_exclusion": "merchant_initiated_transaction",
66      "sca_not_required_reason": "merchant_initiated_transaction"
67    },
68    "pos": {
69      "country_code": "GBR",
70      "postal_code": "SE100ER",
71      "card_present": "present",
72      "cardholder_present": "not_present",
73      "entry_mode": "ecommerce"
74    },
75    "authorization_relay": {
76      "result": "declined",
77      "client_response": {
78        "result": "declined",
79        "reason_code": "insufficient_funds"
80      }
81    }
82  }
83}

Field name	Description
`id` string	The unique identifier for the event.
`type` string	The type of event. This value is `authorization_declined`.
`version` string	The version of the webhook.
`created_on` datetime	The date and time when the event was triggered in UTC. Format – ISO 8601 Example – `yyyy-mm-ddThh:mm:ss.sss`
`data` object	The notification payload. See the Data object for more details.

Field name Description

Field name	Description
`id` string	The unique identifier for the notification.
`card` object	Contains information about the card used for this transaction. See the Card object for more details.
`cardholder` object	Contains information about the cardholder. See the Cardholder object for more details.
`entity` object	Contains information about your entity. See the Entity object for more details.
`client` object	Contains information about you as a Checkout.com client. See the Client object for more details.
`decision_source` string optional	The party that made the decision to approve or decline the authorization. This can be one of: `issuer` – You have authorization relay stand-in mode enabled and Checkout.com made the decision on your behalf while your server was temporarily unavailable. `scheme` – In the rare event that Checkout.com's server was temporarily unavailable, the card scheme made the decision based on risk rules.
`transaction_id` string	The unique identifier for the transaction, which links together all related authorization, reversal, and clearing messages.
`transaction_type` string	The type of transaction. This can be one of: `balance_inquiry` `bill_payment` `cashback` `pin_change` `pin_unblock` `purchase` `purchase_account_inquiry` `refund` `remittance_funding` `withdrawal`
`transmission_date_time` datetime	The date and time when the transaction message entered the card scheme's network in UTC. Format – ISO 8601 Example – `yyyy-mm-ddThh:mm:ss.sss`
`local_transaction_date_time` string	The local date and time when the transaction was initiated.
`authorization_type` string	The type of authorization we received from the card scheme. This can be one of: `pre_authorization` `incremental_pre_authorization` `authorization` `final_authorization` `deferred_authorization`
`transaction_amount` uint64	The transaction amount, in the minor currency unit.
`transaction_currency` string	The acquirer’s local currency, or the local currency of the transaction’s source location. Format – ISO 4217 code
`billing_amount` uint64	The amount you bill the cardholder for, in the minor currency unit. If currency conversion is required, this is based on Mastercard rates.
`billing_currency` string	The currency in which you bill the cardholder. Format – ISO 4217 code
`billing_conversion_rate` double	The card scheme conversion rate used to convert the transaction amount to the billing amount.
`ecb_conversion_rate` double optional	The European Central Bank (ECB) comparative rate that is communicated to the cardholder for a currency conversion when the `transaction_currency` and `billing_currency` are different.
`digital_card_information` object	Contains information about the digital card used for this transaction. See the Digital card information object for more details.
`merchant` object	Contains information about the merchant associated with this transaction. See the Merchant object for more details.
`decline_reason` string	The reason why the authorization was declined. This can be one of: `account_currency_mismatched` `amount_invalid` `authorization_relay_unreachable` `authorization_relay_verification_failed` `balance_verification_failed` `billing_amount_threshold_exceeded` `card_authentication_failed` `card_control_failed` `card_data_verification_failed` `card_expired` `card_inactive` `card_number_invalid` `card_number_not_found` `card_revoked` `card_suspended` `contactless_pin_change_not_allowed` `cvc2_invalid` `digital_card_deleted` `digital_card_expired` `digital_card_inactive` `digital_card_number_not_found` `digital_card_transaction_analysis_declined` `expiry_date_invalid` `insufficient_funds` `low_value_payment_amount_failed` `low_value_payment_count_failed` `merchant_category_not_allowed` `new_pin_data_not_received` `original_merchant_initiated_transaction_not_found` `original_recurring_transaction_not_found` `original_transaction_not_found` `partial_reversal_amount_invalid` `pin_change_failed` `pin_invalid` `reversal_currency_mismatched` `reversal_exceeds_authorized_amount` `scheme_fraud_score_missing` `scheme_fraud_score_threshold_exceeded` `scheme_merchant_data_validation_failed` `state_or_country_invalid` `system_malfunction` `three_d_secure_soft_declined` `transaction_invalid` `transaction_not_permitted_to_cardholder` `user_authentication_amount_mismatched` `user_authentication_currency_mismatched` `user_authentication_verification_failed` `user_authentication_verification_unavailable` `velocity_reached` `wallet_type_unsupported` See the Issuing decline codes documentation for more information.
`transit_information` object	Contains information about transit transactions. See the Transit information object for more details.
`point_of_sale_transaction_date` string	The date of the transaction at the point of sale. Format – `yyyy-mm-dd`
`reference_transaction` object optional	Contains information about the reference transaction. See the Reference transaction object for more details.
`three_d_secure` object optional	Contains information about the 3D Secure (3DS) challenge for the transaction. See the ThreeDSecure object for more details.
`pos` object	Contains information about the conditions at the point of sale (PoS) at the time of the transaction. See the POS object for more details.
`authorization_relay` object optional	Contains information about the authorization relay response. See the Authorization relay object for more details.

id

string

The unique identifier for the notification.

card

object

Contains information about the card used for this transaction.
See the Card object for more details.

cardholder

object

Contains information about the cardholder.
See the Cardholder object for more details.

entity

object

Contains information about your entity.
See the Entity object for more details.

client

object

Contains information about you as a Checkout.com client.
See the Client object for more details.

decision_source

string

optional

The party that made the decision to approve or decline the authorization.
This can be one of:

issuer – You have authorization relay stand-in mode enabled and Checkout.com made the decision on your behalf while your server was temporarily unavailable.
scheme – In the rare event that Checkout.com's server was temporarily unavailable, the card scheme made the decision based on risk rules.

transaction_id

string

The unique identifier for the transaction, which links together all related authorization, reversal, and clearing messages.

transaction_type

string

The type of transaction. This can be one of:

balance_inquiry
bill_payment
cashback
pin_change
pin_unblock
purchase
purchase_account_inquiry
refund
remittance_funding
withdrawal

transmission_date_time

datetime

The date and time when the transaction message entered the card scheme's network in UTC.
Format – ISO 8601
Example – yyyy-mm-ddThh:mm:ss.sss

local_transaction_date_time

string

The local date and time when the transaction was initiated.

authorization_type

string

The type of authorization we received from the card scheme. This can be one of:

pre_authorization
incremental_pre_authorization
authorization
final_authorization
deferred_authorization

transaction_amount

uint64

The transaction amount, in the minor currency unit.

transaction_currency

string

The acquirer’s local currency, or the local currency of the transaction’s source location.
Format – ISO 4217 code

billing_amount

uint64

The amount you bill the cardholder for, in the minor currency unit.

If currency conversion is required, this is based on Mastercard rates.

billing_currency

string

The currency in which you bill the cardholder.
Format – ISO 4217 code

billing_conversion_rate

double

The card scheme conversion rate used to convert the transaction amount to the billing amount.

ecb_conversion_rate

double

optional

The European Central Bank (ECB) comparative rate that is communicated to the cardholder for a currency conversion when the transaction_currency and billing_currency are different.

digital_card_information

object

Contains information about the digital card used for this transaction.
See the Digital card information object for more details.

merchant

object

Contains information about the merchant associated with this transaction.
See the Merchant object for more details.

decline_reason

string

The reason why the authorization was declined. This can be one of:

account_currency_mismatched
amount_invalid
authorization_relay_unreachable
authorization_relay_verification_failed
balance_verification_failed
billing_amount_threshold_exceeded
card_authentication_failed
card_control_failed
card_data_verification_failed
card_expired
card_inactive
card_number_invalid
card_number_not_found
card_revoked
card_suspended
contactless_pin_change_not_allowed
cvc2_invalid
digital_card_deleted
digital_card_expired
digital_card_inactive
digital_card_number_not_found
digital_card_transaction_analysis_declined
expiry_date_invalid
insufficient_funds
low_value_payment_amount_failed
low_value_payment_count_failed
merchant_category_not_allowed
new_pin_data_not_received
original_merchant_initiated_transaction_not_found
original_recurring_transaction_not_found
original_transaction_not_found
partial_reversal_amount_invalid
pin_change_failed
pin_invalid
reversal_currency_mismatched
reversal_exceeds_authorized_amount
scheme_fraud_score_missing
scheme_fraud_score_threshold_exceeded
scheme_merchant_data_validation_failed
state_or_country_invalid
system_malfunction
three_d_secure_soft_declined
transaction_invalid
transaction_not_permitted_to_cardholder
user_authentication_amount_mismatched
user_authentication_currency_mismatched
user_authentication_verification_failed
user_authentication_verification_unavailable
velocity_reached
wallet_type_unsupported

See the Issuing decline codes documentation for more information.

transit_information

object

Contains information about transit transactions.
See the Transit information object for more details.

point_of_sale_transaction_date

string

The date of the transaction at the point of sale.
Format – yyyy-mm-dd

reference_transaction

object

optional

Contains information about the reference transaction.
See the Reference transaction object for more details.

three_d_secure

object

optional

Contains information about the 3D Secure (3DS) challenge for the transaction.
See the ThreeDSecure object for more details.

pos

object

Contains information about the conditions at the point of sale (PoS) at the time of the transaction.
See the POS object for more details.

authorization_relay

object

optional

Contains information about the authorization relay response.
See the Authorization relay object for more details.

Field name Description

Field name	Description
`id` string	The unique identifier for the card.
`metadata` object optional	Contains information about user-defined metadata. See the request body of the Create a card endpoint for more details.

id

string

The unique identifier for the card.

metadata

object

optional

Contains information about user-defined metadata.
See the request body of the Create a card endpoint for more details.

Field name Description

Field name	Description
`id` string	The unique identifier for the cardholder.

id

string

The unique identifier for the cardholder.

Field name Description

Field name	Description
`id` string	The unique identifier for your entity.

id

string

The unique identifier for your entity.

Field name Description

Field name	Description
`id` string	Your unique identifier as a Checkout.com client.

id

string

Your unique identifier as a Checkout.com client.

Field name Description

Field name	Description
`digital_card_id` string	The unique identifier for the digital card.
`device_type` string	The type of device. This can be one of: `card` `device_peripheral` `domestic_appliance` `fashion_accessory` `garment` `jewelry` `key_fob` `media_or_gaming_device` `mobile_phone_case_or_sleeve` `mobile_phone_network_operator_controlled_fixed_secure_element` `mobile_phone_network_operator_controlled_removable_secure_element` `mobile_phone_not_network_operator_controlled_fixed_secure_element` `mobile_phone_not_network_operator_controlled_removable_secure_element` `mobile_phone_payment_application_host_processor` `mobile_phone_payment_application_tee_host_processor` `mobile_tag` `pc` `phone` `removable_secure_element_not_network_operator_controlled` `sticker` `tablet_or_e_book_network_operator_controlled_fixed_secure_element` `tablet_or_e_book_not_network_operator_controlled_fixed_secure_element` `tablet_or_e_reader` `tablet_or_e_reader_payment_application_host_processor` `tablet_or_e_reader_payment_application_tee_host_processor` `tablet_or_e_reader_network_operator_controlled_removable_secure_element` `tag` `vehicle` `watch_contactless_chip_or_not_network_operator_controlled_secure_element` `watch_or_wristband` `watch_payment_application_host_processor` `watch_payment_application_tee_host_processor` `wristband`
`wallet_type` string optional	The type of wallet. This can be one of: `apple_pay` `google_pay` `merchant` `samsung_pay`

digital_card_id

string

The unique identifier for the digital card.

device_type

string

The type of device. This can be one of:

card
device_peripheral
domestic_appliance
fashion_accessory
garment
jewelry
key_fob
media_or_gaming_device
mobile_phone_case_or_sleeve
mobile_phone_network_operator_controlled_fixed_secure_element
mobile_phone_network_operator_controlled_removable_secure_element
mobile_phone_not_network_operator_controlled_fixed_secure_element
mobile_phone_not_network_operator_controlled_removable_secure_element
mobile_phone_payment_application_host_processor
mobile_phone_payment_application_tee_host_processor
mobile_tag
pc
phone
removable_secure_element_not_network_operator_controlled
sticker
tablet_or_e_book_network_operator_controlled_fixed_secure_element
tablet_or_e_book_not_network_operator_controlled_fixed_secure_element
tablet_or_e_reader
tablet_or_e_reader_payment_application_host_processor
tablet_or_e_reader_payment_application_tee_host_processor
tablet_or_e_reader_network_operator_controlled_removable_secure_element
tag
vehicle
watch_contactless_chip_or_not_network_operator_controlled_secure_element
watch_or_wristband
watch_payment_application_host_processor
watch_payment_application_tee_host_processor
wristband

wallet_type

string

optional

The type of wallet. This can be one of:

apple_pay
google_pay
merchant
samsung_pay

Field name	Description
`merchant_id` string	The merchant's identifier. This may vary from one acquirer to another.
`name` string	The merchant's name.
`city` string	The city where the merchant is located.
`state` string optional	For US merchants, the state where the merchant is located. For other merchants, the value is `null`.
`country` string	The country where the merchant is located. Format – ISO-3 code
`category_code` string	The merchant's four-digit category code. Merchants can have multiple category codes.
`street_address` string	The merchant's street address.

Field name Description

Field name	Description
`transaction_type` string	The authorization model the transit operator uses. This can be one of: `authorized_aggregated_split_clearing` `debt_recovery` `other` `prefunded` `post_authorized_aggregated` `post_authorized_aggregated_maestro` `real_time_authorized`
`transportation_method` string	The transport method used to travel. This can be one of: `cable_car` `coach` `commuter_train` `express_commuter_train` `high_speed_train` `funicular_train` `inter_city` `interurban_bus` `light_train_mass_transit` `locomotive` `other` `para_transit` `parking` `powered_motor_vehicle` `regional_train` `rural_bus` `self_drive_vehicle` `taxi` `toll` `trailer` `train` `urban_bus` `water_borne_vehicle`

transaction_type

string

The authorization model the transit operator uses. This can be one of:

authorized_aggregated_split_clearing
debt_recovery
other
prefunded
post_authorized_aggregated
post_authorized_aggregated_maestro
real_time_authorized

transportation_method

string

The transport method used to travel. This can be one of:

cable_car
coach
commuter_train
express_commuter_train
high_speed_train
funicular_train
inter_city
interurban_bus
light_train_mass_transit
locomotive
other
para_transit
parking
powered_motor_vehicle
regional_train
rural_bus
self_drive_vehicle
taxi
toll
trailer
train
urban_bus
water_borne_vehicle

Field name Description

Field name	Description
`transaction_id` string	The unique identifier for the reference transaction.
`reference_type` string	The type of reference transaction. This can be one of: `original_mit` – An initial merchant-initiated transaction `original_recurring` – An initial recurring transaction

transaction_id

string

The unique identifier for the reference transaction.

reference_type

string

The type of reference transaction. This can be one of:

original_mit – An initial merchant-initiated transaction
original_recurring – An initial recurring transaction

Field name Description

Field name	Description
`requested_exemption_or_exclusion` string optional	The exemption or exclusion requested by the acquirer/merchant. This can be one of: `acquirer_transaction_risk_analysis` `authentication_outage_exception` `low_value_payment` `merchant_initiated_transaction` `not_requested recurring_payment` `secure_corporate_payment` `strong_customer_authentication_delegation`
`sca_not_required_reason` string optional	The exemption or exclusion used to approve an unauthenticated authorization. This can be one of: `acquirer_transaction_risk_analysis` `authentication_outage_exception` `issuer_secure_corporate_payment` `low_value_payment` `merchant_initiated_transaction` `mobile_order_telephone_order` `one_leg_out` `other` `recurring_payment` `secure_corporate_payment` `strong_customer_authentication_delegation` `zero_amount_asi`

requested_exemption_or_exclusion

string

optional

The exemption or exclusion requested by the acquirer/merchant. This can be one of:

acquirer_transaction_risk_analysis
authentication_outage_exception
low_value_payment
merchant_initiated_transaction
not_requested recurring_payment
secure_corporate_payment
strong_customer_authentication_delegation

sca_not_required_reason

string

optional

The exemption or exclusion used to approve an unauthenticated authorization. This can be one of:

acquirer_transaction_risk_analysis
authentication_outage_exception
issuer_secure_corporate_payment
low_value_payment
merchant_initiated_transaction
mobile_order_telephone_order
one_leg_out
other
recurring_payment
secure_corporate_payment
strong_customer_authentication_delegation
zero_amount_asi

Field name Description

Field name	Description
`country_code` string	The country where the PoS is located. Format – ISO alpha-3 country code
`postal_code` string	The postal code where the PoS is located.
`card_present` string	Indicates if the card was present to initiate the transaction. This can be one of: `not_present` `present` `unspecified`
`cardholder_present` string	Indicates if the cardholder was present to initiate the transaction. This can be one of: `not_present` `present` `unspecified`
`entry_mode` string	The way the card initiated the transaction at the terminal. This can be one of: `contact_chip` `contactless_chip` `contactless_magstripe` `ecommerce` `magstripe` `manual` `optical_character_recognition` `optical_code` `server` `other`

country_code

string

The country where the PoS is located.
Format – ISO alpha-3 country code

postal_code

string

The postal code where the PoS is located.

card_present

string

Indicates if the card was present to initiate the transaction. This can be one of:

not_present
present
unspecified

cardholder_present

string

Indicates if the cardholder was present to initiate the transaction. This can be one of:

not_present
present
unspecified

entry_mode

string

The way the card initiated the transaction at the terminal. This can be one of:

contact_chip
contactless_chip
contactless_magstripe
ecommerce
magstripe
manual
optical_character_recognition
optical_code
server
other

Field name Description

Field name	Description
`result` string	The final authorization decision returned by the authorization relay. This can be one of: `approved` – The authorization is approved. In this case, you receive an authorization_approved webhook. `declined` – The authorization is declined. `not_applied` – The authorization request was not relayed to you. For example, because the request was already declined.
`client_response` object optional	Contains information about the authorization decision returned by your server
`client_response.result` string	Your authorization decision. This can be one of: `approved` – You approved the authorization. `declined` – You declined the authorization. `invalid_response` – Your response to the authorization request was invalid. `server_error` – Your server encountered an error. `timeout` – You did not provide a decision within the timeout limit. `unauthorized` – The authorization request could not be authenticated. If you have stand-in mode enabled for this entity, it is triggered if `result` is `server_error` or `timeout`.
`client_response.reason_code` string optional	The reason why you declined the authorization. This can be one of: `failed_control` – The authorization failed your checks. `insufficient_funds` – There are not enough funds on the card to complete the transaction. `other` – Any other reason.
`stand_in` object optional	Contains information about the authorization decision returned by stand-in mode, if enabled.
`stand_in.result` string	The authorization decision returned by stand-in mode. This can be one of: `approved` – Stand-in mode approved the authorization. `declined` – Stand-in mode declined the authorization. `not_applied` – Stand-in mode was not triggered.

result

string

The final authorization decision returned by the authorization relay. This can be one of:

approved – The authorization is approved. In this case, you receive an authorization_approved webhook.
declined – The authorization is declined.
not_applied – The authorization request was not relayed to you. For example, because the request was already declined.

client_response

object

optional

Contains information about the authorization decision returned by your server

client_response.result

string

Your authorization decision. This can be one of:

approved – You approved the authorization.
declined – You declined the authorization.
invalid_response – Your response to the authorization request was invalid.
server_error – Your server encountered an error.
timeout – You did not provide a decision within the timeout limit.
unauthorized – The authorization request could not be authenticated.

If you have stand-in mode enabled for this entity, it is triggered if result is server_error or timeout.

client_response.reason_code

string

optional

The reason why you declined the authorization. This can be one of:

failed_control – The authorization failed your checks.
insufficient_funds – There are not enough funds on the card to complete the transaction.
other – Any other reason.

stand_in

object

optional

Contains information about the authorization decision returned by stand-in mode, if enabled.

stand_in.result

string

The authorization decision returned by stand-in mode. This can be one of:

approved – Stand-in mode approved the authorization.
declined – Stand-in mode declined the authorization.
not_applied – Stand-in mode was not triggered.

Authorization declined

Example webhook

Webhook fields

Data object

Card object

Cardholder object

Entity object

Client object

Digital card information object

Merchant object

Transit information object

Reference transaction object

ThreeDSecure object

POS object

Authorization relay object