Building payment workflows

Learn how to create SCA-compliant workflows using Drop-in Payments and DigitalRiver.js with elements.
You can create Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) compliant workflows for both purchase transactions and account management.
When building workflows that use Drop-in Payments, you'll first need to perform some common, initial steps before proceeding to the workflow's specific steps.‌ For workflows using DigitalRiver.js with elements, you must also complete some prerequisites.
Each purchase and account management workflow has some key settings and methods. 
Whether you are using Drop-in Payments or DigitalRiver.js with elements, any SCA requirements are automatically managed by Digital River. Two-factor authentication is handled by our authenticate source method. And our card acquirers use the 3-D Secure protocol to communicate with issuing banks. This protocol operates "behind the scene" and requires no developer interaction. 
Limitations and constraints
Note the following limitations and constraints when building your payments workflow.
Do not change the currency when there is a secondary source in the cart. Specify the correct currency when creating a secondary payment source. After you apply the secondary source to the cart, do not change the currency.

If you change the currency when calling /v1/shoppers, a 409 Conflict response contains specific information about what triggered the failure. In this instance, one of the currencies in the cart is not supported.
Error
{
    "errors": {
        "error": [
            {
                "relation": "https://developers.digitalriver.com/v1/shoppers/ShoppersResource",
                "code": "invalid-request",
                "description": "One or more sources in the cart does not support locale {Locale} and currency {Currency}."
            }
        ]
    }
​
}
Currently, you can't use the store credit to buy subscription products, pre-order products, or products on backorder. Additionally, you can't link more than one store credit source to an order, as multiple secondary sources are not currently supported.
Common Drop-in Payment steps
You must perform the following steps for any workflow that uses Drop-in Payments, whether built for purchases or account management.‌
1.​Include DigitalRiver.js on your page.
2.​Include the Drop-in Payments CSS file.
3.​​Initialize DigitalRiver.js with your public key.
4.​​Create a container for Drop-in Payments.
Once you've completed these initial steps, you can perform those specific to your desired purchase or account management scenario.
Elements prerequisites
You need to use payment sessions when using DigitalRiver.js with elements to build workflows. So ensure you've completed the necessary migration. We assume you are familiar with creating and styling elements and capturing payment details.
Once you've completed these prerequisites, you can perform the steps specific to your desired purchase or account management scenario.
Purchase Flows
For almost all one-off, subscription, and mail-order/telephone-order (MOTO) transactions, Digital River supports SCA-compliant workflows using Drop-in Payments or DigitalRiver.js elements.‌
One-off 
‌You can develop workflows that allow customers to enter, save, and retrieve their payment information while making one-off purchases. 
Customers enter their credit card information
‌In this flow, customers supply their credit card information during a one-off transaction but don't save it to their accounts.
SCA required?
Drop-in Payments supported?
Elements supported?
Yes
Yes
Yes
Drop-in Payments
DigitalRiver.js with elements
Prerequisites: Perform the common Drop-in Payments steps.
Step one: Create a cart with all tax, shipping, duty, and fee amounts in a final state and a chargeType that is customer_initiated.
Step two: Retrieve the cart's payment session identifier, and use it to set the sessionId in the Drop-in Payments' configuration object. In options, set flow to checkout and usage to convenience, and (to prompt Drop-in payments to display the save payment option) showSavePaymentAgreement to true.
let configuration = {
    sessionId: "d3941a36-6821-4d93-be23-6190226ae5f7",
    options: {
        flow: "checkout",
        usage: "convenience"
    }
    ...
}
Step three: Use the configuration object to instantiate Drop-in Payments.   
let dropin = digitalriver.createDropin(configuration);
Step four: Specify a container to place Drop-in Payments on your cart page.
Drop-in Payments renders in the specified container.
Customers enter their credit card information and click the configurable Pay Now button. 
If the customer completes the SCA, then the onSuccess method is called, and Digital River returns a unique source in a chargeable state.
...
onSuccess: function (data) { doSometingWithTheSource(data) },
...
Step five: Attach the source to the cart. 
Step six: Create the order by submitting the cart.
Prerequisites: Refer to the Elements prerequisites section.
Step one: Create a cart with all tax, shipping, duty, and fee amounts in a final state  and a chargeType that is customer_initiated.
Step two: Retrieve the payment session identifier from the cart, and use it to configure the createSource() method. The configuration object should also set futureUse to false and usage to convenience.
let payload = {
    "sessionId": "ea03bf6f-84ef-4993-b1e7-b7d5ecf71d1f",
    "futureUse": false,
    "usage": "convenience",
    ...
}
​
digitalriver.createSource(payload).then(function(result) {
    if(result.state === "chargeable") {
        sendToBackEnd(result);
    } else {
        doErrorScenario();
    }
});

Once the method is called and the shopper provides the required SCA, a unique Source in a chargeable state is returned. 
Step three: Attach the source to a cart.
Step four: Create the order by submitting the cart.
Customers save their credit card information
In this flow, customers enter credit card information and save it to their account during a one-off transaction. 
SCA required?
Drop-in Payments supported?
Elements supported?
Yes
Yes
Yes
Drop-in Payments
DigitalRiver.js with elements
the the Prerequisites: Perform the common Drop-in Payments steps.
Step one: Create a cart with all tax, shipping, duty, and fee amounts in a final state. Set chargeType to customer_initiated and autoRenewal to true.
Step two: Retrieve the cart's payment session identifier, and use it to set the sessionId in the Drop-in Payments configuration object. In the configuration options, set flow to checkout and usage to convenience. To prompt Drop-in payments to display the save payment option, set showSavePaymentAgreement to true.
You should also configure the usage parameter. Doing so identifies the future use of the payment source. 
let configuration = {
    sessionId: "d3941a36-6821-4d93-be23-6190226ae5f7",
    options: {
        "showSavePaymentAgreement": true,
        "usage": "subscription"
    },
    ...
}
​
let dropin = digitalriver.createDropIn(configuration);
Step three: Use the configuration object to instantiate Drop-in Payments. 
let dropin = digitalriver.createDropIn(configuration);
Step four: Specify a container to place Drop-in Payments on your cart page.
The modal renders in the specified container.
Customers enter their credit card information, actively accept the save payment agreement, and click the configurable Pay Now button.
If the customer completes the SCA steps necessary to make the source chargeable, then the onSuccess method is called, and Digital River returns a unique Source in a chargeable state.
...
onSuccess: function (data) { doSometingWithTheSource(data) },
...
Step five: Attach the source to the shopper.
Step six: Attach the shopper to the cart.
Step seven: Create the order by submitting the cart.
Prerequisites: Refer to the Elements prerequisites section. Your flow also needs to display the storage terms and provide shoppers with the option of saving their payment information. 
Step one: Create a cart with all tax, shipping, duty, and fee amounts in a final state.
Step two: Retrieve the payment session identifier and use it to configure the createSource() method. The configuration object should also set futureUse to true and usage to convenience. Use mandate.terms to pass the save payment agreement that the customer accepts.
var payload = {
    "type": "creditCard",
    "sessionId": "ea03bf6f-84ef-4993-b1e7-b7d5ecf71d1f",
    "futureUse": true,
    "usage": "convenience",
    ...
    "mandate": {
        "terms": "Yes, please save this account and payment information for future purchases."
    }
}
  
digitalriver.createSource(payload).then(function(result) {
    if (result.error) {
        //handle errors
    } else {
        var source = result.source;
        //send source to back end
        sendToBackend(source);
    }
});
Once the method is called and the customer provides the required SCA, a unique Source in a chargeable source is returned. 
Step three: Attach the source to the customer.
Step four: Attach the source to the cart.
Step five: Create the order by submitting the cart.
Customers retrieve their payment information
In this one-off purchase flow, the customers select a credit card they previously saved to their account. The key step is to call the authenticate source method.
SCA required?
Drop-in Payments supported?
Elements supported?
Yes
No
Yes
Drop-in Payments
DigitalRiver.js with elements
​Drop-in Payments do not currently support retrieving stored payment methods. To handle this flow, use Elements.
Prerequisites: Refer to the Elements prerequisites section. 
Step one:  Create a cart with all tax, shipping, duty, and fee amounts in a final state. The chargeType should be customer_initiated.
Step two: Retrieve the customer's payment sources and display them to the shopper during the checkout process.
Step three: If the shopper selects a saved payment method, you'll need to determine whether SCA is required. To do this, configure and call the authenticateSource() method.
...
digitalriver.authenticateSource({
    "sessionId": "65b1e2c2-632c-4240-8897-195ca22ce108",
    "sourceId": "ee90c07c-5549-4a6b-aa5f-aabe29b1e97a",
    "sourceClientSecret": "ee90c07c-5549-4a6b-aa5f-aabe29b1e97a_51afe818-0e7f-46d7-8257-b209b20f4d8",
    "returnUrl": "https://returnurl.com"
}).then(function(data) {
     
});
...
After invoking this method, Digital River automatically handles any required SCA. Once authentication is complete or is determined not to be necessary, the method resolves, allowing the checkout flow to continue.
If authentication is successful, Digital River returns the Source in a chargeable state.
Step four: Attach the source to the cart.
Step five: Create the order by submitting the cart.
Subscription 
You can create SCA-compliant workflows that allow customers to either save or retrieve a recurring payment method during subscription acquisitions. You can also set up workflows for merchant-initiated autorenewals. 
Shopper enter and save their payment information during a subscription acquisition
In this flow, customers save payment information to their account and use that payment source to acquire an auto-renewing subscription.
SCA required?
Drop-in Payments supported?
Elements supported?
Yes
Yes
Yes
Drop-in Payments
DigitalRiver.js with elements
Prerequisites: Perform the common Drop-in Payments steps.
Step one: Create a cart with an authenticated customer, and all tax, shipping, duty, and fee amounts are in a final state. Set chargeType to customer_initiate and autoRenewal to true.
Step two: Retrieve the payment session identifier from the cart, and use it to set the sessionId in the Drop-in Payments configuration object. 
In options, set flow to checkout and usage to convenience, and (to prompt Drop-in payments to display the save payment option) showTermsOfSaleDisclosure to true.
let configuration = {
    sessionId: "d3941a36-6821-4d93-be23-6190226ae5f7",
    options: {
        "flow": "checkout",
        "showTermsOfSaleDisclosure": true,
        "usage": "subscription"
    },    
    ...
}
Step three: Use the configuration object to instantiate Drop-in Payments.
let dropin = digitalriver.createDropIn(configuration);
Step four: Specify a container to place Drop-in Payments on your cart page.
Drop-in renders in the specified container.
Shoppers must enter their credit card information and click the configurable Pay Now button.
If the shopper completes the necessary SCA steps, then the onSucess method is called an,d Digital River returns a unique source in a chargeable state that is readyForStorage.
...
onSuccess: function (data) { doSometingWithTheSource(data) },
...
Step five: Attach the source to the shopper. 
Step six: Create the order by submitting the cart.
Prerequisites: Refer to the Elements prerequisites section. At some point during the flow, you also need to display the subscription's terms and save payment agreement and acquire the customer's active acceptance of them.
Step one: Create a cart with an authenticated customer and all tax, shipping, duty, and fee amounts are in a final state. Set chargeType to customer_initiate and autoRenewal to true.
Step two: Once the customer selects the option to save the payment method and agrees to the displayed terms, retrieve the payment session identifier, and use it to configure the createSource() method. The configuration object should also set futureUse to true and usage to subscription. Use mandate.terms to pass the save payment agreement that the customer accepts.
Once the customer provides the required SCA, a unique Source in a chargeable state is returned. 
var payload = {
    "type": "creditCard",
    "sessionId": "ea03bf6f-84ef-4993-b1e7-b7d5ecf71d1f",
    "futureUse": true,
    "usage": "subscription",
    ...
    "mandate": {
        "terms": "Yes, save this account and payment information for future purchases."
    }
}
  
digitalriver.createSource(payload).then(function(result) {
    if (result.error) {
        //handle errors
    } else {
        var source = result.source;
        //send the source to back end
        sendToBackend(source);
    }
});
Step three: Attach the source to the shopper.
Step four: Attach the shopper to the cart.​
Step five: Create the order by submitting the cart.
Shopper retrieves credit card details during subscription acquisition
In this flow, during the checkout process, shoppers select a credit card they previously saved to their account to acquire an auto-renewing subscription.
SCA required?
Drop-in supported?
Elements supported?
Yes
No
Yes
‌The following demonstrates how to build a workflow for this scenario using Elements. When building this workflow, the key step is to call the authenticateSource method.
Drop-in Payments
DigitalRiver.js with elements
​Drop-in Payments does not currently support retrieving stored payment methods. To handle this flow, use Digital River with elements.
Prerequisites: Refer to the Elements prerequisites section. 
Step one: Create a cart with an authenticated customer and all tax, shipping, duty, and fee amounts are in a final state. Set chargeType to customer_initiate and autoRenewal to true.
Step two: Retrieve the shopper's payment sources and display them to the shopper during the checkout process.
Step three: If the shopper selects a saved payment method, you'll need to determine whether SCA is required. To do this, call the authenticateSource method. 
...
digitalriver.authenticateSource({
    "sessionId": "65b1e2c2-632c-4240-8897-195ca22ce108",
    "sourceId": "ee90c07c-5549-4a6b-aa5f-aabe29b1e97a",
    "sourceClientSecret": "ee90c07c-5549-4a6b-aa5f-aabe29b1e97a_51afe818-0e7f-46d7-8257-b209b20f4d8",
    "returnUrl": "https://returnurl.com"
}).then(function(data) {
     
});
...
After invoking this method, Digital River automatically handles any required SCA. Once authentication is complete or is determined not to be necessary, the method resolves, allowing the checkout flow to continue.
Digital River returns a unique Source in a chargeable state.
Step four: Attach the source to a cart.
Step five: Create the order by submitting the cart.
Merchant-initiated auto renewals
In this flow, you initiate a subscription auto-renewal for the shopper. Although this flow type does not require SCA, you should ensure you're properly managing subscriptions, setting up auto-renewals, and initiating the charge type during the checkout process.
SCA required?
Drop-in Payments supported?
Elements supported?
No
N/A
N/A
Mail order/telephone order
​SCA is not required for transactions where shoppers provide payment details by mail, fax, or telephone. But both Drop-in Payments and Elements support building workflows for mail order and telephone order (MOTO) transactions.
SCA required?
Drop-in Payments supported?
Elements supported?
No
No
Yes
Drop-in Payments
DigitalRiver.js with Elements
Prerequisites: Perform the common Drop-in payments steps.
Step one: Create a cart with a chargeType of moto and all tax, shipping, duty, and fee amounts in a final state. This configures Drop-in payments to display only payment methods supported in MOTO transactions.
Step two: Retrieve the checkout's payment session identifier, and use it to set sessionId in the Drop-in payments' configuration object. In options, set flow to checkout and usage to convenience.
let configuration = {
    sessionId: "d3941a36-6821-4d93-be23-6190226ae5f7",
    options: {
        flow: "checkout",
        usage: "convenience"
    }
    ...
}
Step three: Use the configuration object to instantiate Drop-in payments.
let dropin = digitalriver.createDropin(configuration);
Step four: Specify a container to place Drop-in Payments on your checkout page.
The modal window renders in the specified container.
The merchant's representative enters the customer's credit card information and clicks the configurable Pay Now button. If the payment is authorized, then the onSuccess method is called, and Digital River returns a unique source in a chargeable state.
...
onSuccess: function (data) { doSometingWithTheSource(data) },
...
Step five: Attach the source to the cart. 
Step six: Create the order by submitting the cart.
Prerequisites: Refer to the Elements prerequisites section. 
Step one: Create a cart with a charge type of moto and all tax, shipping, duty and fee amounts in a final state.
Step two: Retrieve the payment session identifier, and use it to configure the createSource() method. The configuration object should also set futureUse to false and usage to convenience.
Once the method is invoked and payment is authorized, a unique Source is returned in a chargeable state.
let payload = {
    "sessionId": "ea03bf6f-84ef-4993-b1e7-b7d5ecf71d1f",
    "futureUse": false,
    "usage": "convenience",
    ...
}
​
digitalriver.createSource(payload).then(function(result) {
    if(result.state === "chargeable") {
        sendToBackEnd(result);
    } else {
        doErrorScenario();
    }
});
Step four: Attach the source to a cart.
Step five: Create the order by submitting the cart.
Account management flows
You can create flows that allow customers to manage recurring payment methods through their account portal. 
In these account management flows you only need to adhere to SCA regulations when saving a customer's credit card for future use. While storing a card, make sure you identify the future use of the source. This increases the probability that future transactions will be approved.
You're not required to provide SCA when updating a credit card's expiration date or billing address.
Saving a credit card foCustomersow, customers use their account portal to save credit card information for future transactions. 
SCA required?
Drop-in Payments supported?
Elements supported?
Text
Yes
Yes
Yes
​
Drop-in payments
DigitalRiver.js with  elements
Prerequisites: Perform the common Drop-in Payments steps.
Step one: Go to a page in your integration where customers manage their payment methods.
Step two: In the configuration object's options, set flow to managePaymentMethods and specify a value for usage that identifies the potential future use of the payment source.
let configuration = {
    options: {
        "flow": "managePaymentMethods",
        "usage": "subscription"
    },
    ...
}
  
let dropin = digitalriverpayments.createDropIn(configuration);
Step three: Use the configuration object to instantiate Drop-in Payments.
Step four: Specify a container to place Drop-in Payments on the account management page.
The modal window renders in the specified container.
Shoppers enter their credit card information, select the save payment agreement option and click the configurable add payment method button. 
If the shopper completes the necessary SCA steps, then the onSucess method is called, and Digital River returns a unique source in a chargeable state that is readyForStorage.
...
onSuccess: function (data) { doSometingWithTheSource(data) },
...
Step six: Attach the source to the shopper.
Prerequisites: Refer to the Elements prerequisites section You also need to display the save payment agreement and acquire the customer's active acceptance.
Step one: If a customer selects the option to save a payment method and agrees to the displayed terms, the configuration object should set futureUse to true, configure usage to identify the future use of the payment source, and provide the mandate.terms that the customer agreed to on your storefront.
var payload = {
    "type": "creditCard",
    "futureUse": true,
    "usage": "subscription",
    ...
    "mandate": {
        "terms": "Yes, please save this account and payment information for future purchases."
    }
}
  
digitalriver.createSource(payload).then(function(result) {
    if (result.error) {
        //handle errors
    } else {
        var source = result.source;
        //send source to back end
        sendToBackend(source);
    }
});
Once the shopper provides the required SCA, a Source in a chargeable state is returned.
Step three: Attach the source to the shopper.
Updating a credit card's expiration date or billing address
Customers use their account portal to update their saved credit card's expiration date or billing address in this flow.
SCA required?
Drop-in Payments supported?
Elements supported?
No
No
Yes
Drop-in Payments
Digital River with elements
​Drop-in Payments do not support interacting directly with saved payment methods.‌
Prerequisites: Refer to the Elements prerequisites section. 
Step one: Retrieve the shopper's payment sources and display them to the shopper.

The shopper selects the payment method to update. 
Step two: Capture the updated expiration date from the shopper and pass it to the update source method.
SCA required?	Drop-in Payments supported?	Elements supported?
Yes	Yes	Yes
SCA required?	Drop-in Payments supported?	Elements supported?
Yes	Yes	Yes
SCA required?	Drop-in Payments supported?	Elements supported?
Yes	No	Yes
SCA required?	Drop-in Payments supported?	Elements supported?
Yes	Yes	Yes
SCA required?	Drop-in Payments supported?	Elements supported?
No	N/A	N/A
SCA required?	Drop-in Payments supported?	Elements supported?
No	No	Yes
SCA required?	Drop-in Payments supported?	Elements supported?	Text
Yes	Yes	Yes
SCA required?	Drop-in Payments supported?	Elements supported?
No	No	Yes
Retrieving sources
Flows by payment type
Last modified 22d ago