When the money actually arrives.
HOW IT WORKS
A customer pays. The gateway holds the funds, deducts its fee, and settles the balance to your bank account on its own schedule.
Settlement is not instant. The period varies by gateway and by payment method.
WHY IT MATTERS
Money in transit is money you cannot use. A business with thin cash flow needs to know the settlement period before relying on online sales for immediate expenses.
WHAT TO CHECK
The settlement period for each payment method Whether it differs for international payments Whether there is a minimum payout amount Whether payouts are automatic or requested
PLANNING AROUND IT
Do not commit money you have taken but not yet received.
For a business paying suppliers quickly, the settlement gap is a real working capital requirement.
RECONCILING
Match your gateway dashboard against your bank statements monthly. Discrepancies are easier to investigate promptly.
Keep the gateway's transaction records. They are your independent record of what was paid, and invaluable if your own database is ever lost.
