Online transaction flow

The following steps show a full online transaction from start to finish.

We show two types of flow.

Multiple sellers to multiple buyers.
A single seller to multiple buyers.

Step 1: Create a guest seller

For an application where you have different buyers and sellers, for example in a marketplace eCommerce solution, create guest buyers and guest sellers.

Every transaction must have two users, a seller and a buyer.
Using the Trustap API, guest buyers and sellers can complete a transaction together.

To receive a payout, the seller must later create a full Trustap account.

curl --location 'https://dev.stage.trustap.com/api/v1/guest_users' \
--header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
--user '<API_KEY>:' \
--data-raw '{"email":"sarah.garcia@shopit.com","first_name":"Sarah","last_name":"Garcia","country_code":"ie","tos_acceptance":{"unix_timestamp":1737558834,"ip":"127.0.0.1"}}'

Step 2: Create a guest buyer

The buyer is the party that receives the goods and pays for the transaction.

Guest buyers can pay for transactions and even create complaints.

curl --location 'https://dev.stage.trustap.com/api/v1/guest_users' \
--header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
--user '<API_KEY>:' \
--data-raw '{"email":"bert.gray@mail.com","first_name":"Bert","last_name":"Gray","country_code":"ie","tos_acceptance":{"unix_timestamp":1737558834,"ip":"127.0.0.1"}}'

Step 3: Get Trustap Fee (Charge)

Before creating a transaction, retrieve the charge for the transaction. This returns the cost for using the Trustap service for this transaction.

price is an integer, in which the last 2 digits are the decimal part of the price. For example, price:1050 currency:eur = 10,50€.

curl --location 'https://dev.stage.trustap.com/api/v1/charge?price=20000&currency=gbp' \
--user '<API_KEY>:'

Step 4: Create a transaction with a guest seller and guest buyer

In the Trustap API, the transaction object includes details about the the buyer and seller, the type of transaction, and the status of the transaction.

curl --location 'https://dev.stage.trustap.com/api/v1/me/transactions/create_with_guest_user' \
--header 'Trustap-User: 1-886e3c26-b585-4c92-a93b-e3c84b9b32e9' \
--header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
--user '<API_KEY>:' \
--data '{
    "seller_id": "1-886e3c26-b585-4c92-a93b-e3c84b9b32e9",
    "buyer_id": "1-615a70d4-b624-4243-95be-a8367b7953ea",
    "creator_role": "seller",
    "currency": "gbp",
    "description": "Online Transaction",
    "price": 20000,
    "charge": 760,
    "charge_calculator_version": 5
    }'

Step 5: Buyer transfers funds

After a transaction is created, redirected the buyer to the payment page to pay for it. Trustap support two methods for payment. These funds will not be released to the seller until the buyer approves.

Transfer using card

With card transfer, direct the buyer using a URL to a payment screen where the buyer can enter their card details for secure payment.

During testing, it's helpful to simulate the full payment flow. We recommend using test credit card numbers to complete transactions without processing real payments.

Transfer using bank transfer

With a bank transfer, direct your buyer using a URL to a screen displaying bank transfer details.

The payment URL that you send to the buyer depends on your type of integration.

In the following examples, replace <CALLBACK_PAYMENT> with the redirect URI you set in authentication. This is the location where the buyer will be redirected to following payment.

	Test environment	Production environment
Guest buyer	`https://actions.stage.trustap.com/online/transactions/{transaction_id}/guest_pay?redirect_uri=<CALLBACK_PAYMENT>`	`https: //actions.trustap.com/online/transactions/{transaction_id}/guest_pay?<CALLBACK_PAYMENT>`
Full user buyer	`https: //actions.stage.trustap.com/online/transactions/{transaction_id}/pay?redirect_uri=<CALLBACK_PAYMENT>`	`https://actions.trustap.com/online/transactions/{transaction_id}/pay?<CALLBACK_PAYMENT>`

For example:

https://actions.stage.trustap.com/online/transactions/25273/guest_pay?redirect_uri=https://www.example.com

The payment screen looks like the following.

Step 6: Seller adds tracking details

When the seller has arranged delivery, they add the tracking details to the transaction.

The Trustap API also supports an integrated shipping solution. See our Shipping guide for more information.

curl --location 'https://dev.stage.trustap.com/api/v1/transactions/25273/track_with_guest_seller' \
--header 'Trustap-User: 1-886e3c26-b585-4c92-a93b-e3c84b9b32e9' \
--header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
--user '<API_KEY>:' \
--data '{
"carrier": "ups",
"tracking_code": "345345123"
}'

Step 7: Buyer confirms delivery (optional)

Once the item has been delivered, the buyer must confirm the delivery was complete before funds can be released to the seller.

The complaints period begins (24h) when any of the users confirms the delivery.


curl --location --request POST 'https://dev.stage.trustap.com/api/v1/transactions/25273/confirm_delivery_with_guest_buyer' \
--header 'Trustap-User: 1-886e3c26-b585-4c92-a93b-e3c84b9b32e9' \
--user '<API_KEY>:'

Step 8: Complaints period (optional)

At this point, the buyer has an option to create a complaint. This means that were not satisfied with the transaction. A complaint will pause any payout until the dispute has been resolved.

See our guide to create a complaint.

Step 9: Seller claims payout

Before a seller can claim, they must create a full Trustap account from a guest to a full user account. See our full user guide for details.

Following confirmation of delivery, the seller can claim the payout. Claiming the payout means the seller requests to receive the money for the transaction.

curl --location --request POST 'https://dev.stage.trustap.com/api/v1/transactions/25273/claim_for_seller' \
--user '<API_KEY>:'