PayPal Test Card Numbers
PayPal sandbox test card numbers, plus the cardholder-name triggers that simulate refusals, fraud and insufficient funds.
PayPal's sandbox accepts test cards such as 4012 8888 8888 1881 (Visa) and 3714 496353 98431 (Amex), with any future expiry date and a 3-digit CVV (4 for Amex). PayPal simulates declines through the cardholder name rather than separate numbers. Set the name to CCREJECT-REFUSED, CCREJECT-SF, CCREJECT-EC or CCREJECT-IF.
Last verified against PayPal's official documentation on .
Sandbox test cards
Accepted by the PayPal sandbox for advanced card payments.
| Card number | Brand | Result | Copy |
|---|---|---|---|
4005 5192 0000 0004 | Visa | Payment succeeds | |
4012 0000 3333 0026 | Visa | Payment succeeds | |
4012 0000 7777 7777 | Visa | Payment succeeds | |
4012 8888 8888 1881 | Visa | Payment succeeds | |
4217 6511 1111 1119 | Visa | Payment succeeds | |
4500 6000 0000 0061 | Visa | Payment succeeds | |
4772 1290 5653 3503 | Visa | Payment succeeds | |
4915 8050 3858 7737 | Visa | Payment succeeds | |
2223 0000 4840 0011 | Mastercard | Payment succeeds | |
3714 496353 98431 | American Express | Payment succeeds | |
3766 808163 76961 | American Express | Payment succeeds |
Rejection triggers
PayPal simulates failures through the cardholder name field rather than through separate card numbers. Use any valid test card (for example 4012 8888 8888 1881) and set the name to one of these.
| Scenario | Value | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Card refused | CCREJECT-REFUSED | Payment is refused by the issuer |
| Suspected fraud | CCREJECT-SF | Rejected as suspected fraud |
| Expired card | CCREJECT-EC | Rejected as an expired card |
| Insufficient funds | CCREJECT-IF | Rejected for insufficient funds |
Before you use these
- Cards work only against sandbox credentials.
- Amex requires a 4-digit CVV; every other brand takes 3.
- These numbers are published by PayPal for sandbox testing. They are not real cards and cannot be used for a real purchase.
How to use PayPal test cards
- Switch your PayPal integration to its test or sandbox environment and use test credentials. Live credentials reject these numbers.
- Enter a card number from the tables above. Expiry: Any future date. Security code: 3 digits (4 for Amex).
- Start with a successful card to confirm the happy path, then work through the decline and error cards so every failure message in your checkout gets exercised.
- Use the trigger values (rejection triggers) to simulate outcomes that are not tied to a card number.
PayPal test card FAQ
What are the PayPal test card numbers?
PayPal's sandbox accepts test cards such as 4012 8888 8888 1881 (Visa) and 3714 496353 98431 (Amex), with any future expiry date and a 3-digit CVV (4 for Amex). PayPal simulates declines through the cardholder name rather than separate numbers. Set the name to CCREJECT-REFUSED, CCREJECT-SF, CCREJECT-EC or CCREJECT-IF.
Do PayPal test cards work in production?
No. These numbers are only recognised by the PayPal test environment and are rejected by the live platform. They are not real cards and cannot be used for a purchase.
How do I test a declined payment with PayPal?
PayPal triggers failures through rejection triggers as well as dedicated card numbers. Both are listed on this page.