How to Stop a PayPal Payment Hold

1. PayPal holds payments for new sellers or accounts that don't sell items often, so it is important to make transactions often. According to PayPal's Help Center, having a PayPal membership for more than six months can help stop payment holds. Build up a satisfactory track record with PayPal to avoid payment holds.
2. Provide buyers with great service. Disputes with your buyers cause PayPal to hold payments. Practice good customer communication and deliver your products promptly. A complaint filed with PayPal automatically results in a hold on your payment that will remain until the dispute is resolved. If a dispute is filed, respond immediately with all information requested by PayPal.
3. Offer low-risk products. According to PayPal's Help Center, sales of certain products labeled as high-risk trigger a hold on payment. PayPal defines high-risk transactions as transactions likely to result in a dispute, such as ticket or electronic sales. Even without disputes, PayPal can hold your payment for these items for as many as 21 days.
4. Encourage your buyers to leave positive feedback for eBay sales involving PayPal. Positive feedback or confirmation of delivery stops a PayPal payment hold on that transaction. PayPal release payments within 24 hours for positive feedback and within three days after delivery confirmation.
5. Contact PayPal to stop a payment hold that you feel should not be there. Contact information for PayPal is available on paypal.com.