Funds holds: pay, decline and confirm
When a supplier asks for money to be held against an order: how to pay by card, when to confirm completion, and raising a dispute if there is a problem.
Last checked: 1 October 2026
Contents
What a funds hold is
A supplier can ask for a set amount of money to be held on Exportain against an order. When you pay by card, Exportain holds the money, the supplier does not get it. The money goes to the supplier only after the supplier files the export clearance and you confirm the trade is complete.
Paying or declining
- When you get a notification, open Funds Holds. The status is Awaiting your payment.
- Check the amount, the order number and the reason the supplier wrote.
- To pay, press Pay …, enter your card details and press Pay now.
- If you don't want to pay, press Decline — you can write a reason. This does no harm to the order.
Confirming the trade is complete
- When the supplier files the clearance, the status is Clearance filed — confirm completion; it shows Clearance filed by the seller.
- If the goods and documents are in order, press Mark trade complete.
- The status becomes Due for release to seller, then Released to seller.
If there is a problem: dispute
While the money is held (Held — awaiting seller clearance, Clearance filed — confirm completion, Due for release to seller or Refund failed — still held) press Raise a dispute. The hold is frozen; nobody gets the money until an admin decides. The steps: Disputes and evidence.
Refund statuses
| What the portal says | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Refund requested — not yet back with you | The refund has been requested, the card processor has not confirmed it yet — the money has not reached your account yet |
| Refund failed — still held | The refund failed; the money is still with Exportain, and support has been told |
| Refunded to you | The card processor has confirmed it, the money has been refunded |
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is there a fee for a funds hold?
No. You pay exactly the hold amount. Fees are taken from the supplier's payout.
What happens if I don't press 'Mark trade complete' in time?
The money does not go to the supplier on its own; it needs your confirmation or an admin's decision. But a delay keeps the supplier waiting, so check the goods and documents and decide quickly.