Enabling PayPal as a Payment Method for Your Store

PayPal is an online payment system that allows customers to pay using their PayPal balance, a linked bank account (where supported), or a credit/debit card.

To accept PayPal payments in your store, you must first create a PayPal account and configure PayPal as a payment method in your SHOPLINE admin. Once the setup is complete, customers can select PayPal at checkout to complete their purchase.

Follow this guide to set up PayPal for your SHOPLINE store.

Enabling Your PayPal Account in SHOPLINE

To enable PayPal as a payment method in your SHOPLINE store, you must first enable your PayPal account in your SHOPLINE admin. Follow the steps below:

1. In your SHOPLINE admin panel, go to Settings > Payments > Other payment methods.

2. PayPal is listed as an available option by default. Click Enable to open PayPal’s account connection page.

   

3. Sign in to your PayPal account and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the connection process.

   Important: After completing the account authorization, be sure to click the Return to SHOPLINE button to finalize the connection. Otherwise, the connection may fail.

Once completed, PayPal will be available as a payment option at checkout in your store.

Customizing the Display Settings for PayPal

After successfully connecting your PayPal account, you can further customize how PayPal and its related features appear in your store. Follow the steps below to configure your display options and payment behavior:

1. To access the customization page, go to Settings > Payments > Other payment methods, then click PayPal to open the editing page.

   

2. On the editing page, configure the following:

   

   • Brand name (optional): Enter a brand name to display to customers during PayPal checkout. To check the effect on your storefront, click View the display effect of brand name to preview it. 
   • Activate automatic shipping updates: Enable this option to automatically sync tracking numbers from your SHOPLINE order details to PayPal.
   • Payment methods: Depending on availability in your region, you can enable additional PayPal-supported methods:
     • Pay Later
     • Venmo
     • Credit or debit card payments

   • Fast Checkout button settings: Adjust how PayPal’s express checkout button appears on your storefront.

     Note: The Fast Checkout button will only appear after PayPal is activated in your Checkout settings > Checkout button section.

     • Button color: Select from preset PayPal-branded colors (e.g., Gold).
     • Button layout: Choose Vertical or Horizontal.

3. Preview the style on the right side. You can switch between the Product details page, Shopping cart, and Checkout page.

   

4. After completing your settings, click Update to save your changes.

FAQs about Using PayPal with SHOPLINE

Integration and Configuration

1. Where can I set up the PayPal Express Checkout button?

You can enable the PayPal Express Checkout button on the following pages:

• Product details page
• Shopping cart page
• Checkout page

The button’s position on the checkout page varies depending on your checkout process settings under Settings > Checkout settings:

• One-page checkout: The Express Checkout button appears in the Payment section.
• Three-step checkout: The button appears on the first step (Payment page).

2. Why does SHOPLINE show that PayPal is not connected even though I completed the authorization?

Possible causes include:

• Incorrect PayPal account information: Check whether the registered email and account details are correct. If needed, contact PayPal Support for assistance.
• Did not return to the SHOPLINE page: After completing authorization on PayPal’s site, you must click Return to SHOPLINE to sync the connection result.
• Data synchronization delay: There may be a delay in PayPal’s callback response. If binding still fails, please contact SHOPLINE Support.

3. Which currencies does PayPal support?

PayPal supports multiple currencies across many regions. However, some currencies require the PayPal account to be registered in a specific country or region.

Please refer to PayPal’s official documentation for the complete list of supported currencies.

4. Should I use a personal account or a business account?

Both personal and business accounts can be connected for payment collection. However, due to PayPal’s risk control and verification requirements, the binding rules may differ.

Choose the account type that suits your business needs and refer to PayPal’s official guidelines for more details.

5. Can one PayPal account be connected to multiple stores?

Yes. A single PayPal account can be connected to multiple SHOPLINE stores.

Subscriptions

1. Does PayPal support subscription payments?

Yes. However, you must enable Reference Transactions in your PayPal account; otherwise, all subscription orders using PayPal will fail.

Reference Transactions allow customers to authorize automatic recurring payments without manually approving each billing cycle.

This feature requires PayPal’s review and approval and may require additional business information and documentation.

2. How do I apply for Reference Transactions?

Log in to your PayPal account and submit a request through PayPal’s online support or your account manager. The following information is typically required:

• Business information (company name, website URL)
• Current or expected monthly PayPal transaction volume
• Percentage of returning customers
• Description of your use case
• Whether automatic billing is required and other product details

PayPal’s review process usually takes 7–10 days, but actual timelines may vary.

Payment and Collection

1. What payment methods does PayPal support?

Buyers may pay using:

• PayPal balance
• Credit card
• Debit card
• Local payment methods (varies by region)
• Local bank transfers in certain countries (processed by PayPal)

2. Can I authorize a payment first and charge the customer later?

Yes. You can enable Payment Authorization in your PayPal dashboard to authorize a payment first and capture it later.

3. What is PayPal Express Checkout?

Express Checkout allows customers to complete payment using the information stored in their PayPal accounts without entering details again on the SHOPLINE checkout page.

Key behaviors:

• After authorization, customers will not see other payment methods.
• Payment is captured only when they complete the order.
• Shipping address information is automatically pre-filled.

4. What is an authorization hold (pre-authorization)?

A pre-authorization occurs when the customer clicks the PayPal Express Checkout button and approves the authorization request on PayPal’s page.

The system temporarily freezes the corresponding amount on the customer’s payment card—this is not an actual charge.

During this process, PayPal also returns the customer’s email and shipping address, helping them complete checkout faster.

Please note that the final captured amount may differ from the authorized amount due to changes in taxes, shipping fees, or other adjustments.

5. What is a PayPal eCheck?

A PayPal eCheck functions similarly to a traditional paper check.

When a buyer pays with an eCheck, the funds are withdrawn from their bank account but must clear through the banking system before being deposited into the seller’s PayPal account.

During this period, the payment status will show as Pending, and it will not be immediately available.

We recommend shipping only after the status changes from Pending to Completed to avoid risks in case the eCheck fails to clear.

6. What are PayPal’s minimum and maximum transaction limits?

Transaction limits vary based on:

• Whether the account is verified
• Account country/region
• Local regulations, bank restrictions, and PayPal’s risk controls
• Payment method used (balance, card, PayPal Credit, etc.)

Generally:

• Verified accounts have higher sending and receiving limits. In some countries, the limit per transaction can reach USD 10,000 or more.
• Unverified accounts may have significantly lower limits or temporary restrictions.

To check your actual limits, log in to your PayPal account and go to your profile icon > Account settings > Limits, then click View.

Refunds and Disputes

1. How are disputes handled in PayPal?

All disputes must be handled within the PayPal platform. Please refer to PayPal’s official documentation for detailed procedures.

2. How long do PayPal refunds take?

Refund times vary depending on the original payment method:

• PayPal balance: Same day
• Bank account: Up to 5 days
• Credit/debit card: Up to 30 days

3. Why is my payment on hold or unavailable?

This is normally related to PayPal’s risk control policies. Please refer to PayPal’s official documentation for the specific reasons and resolution steps.