You’ll find ready-to-use Sandbox credentials, test buyer details, and payment flows for once-off, recurring, and subscription payments. It also covers how to view transaction notifications and what to expect when moving from Sandbox to live.

Test Transaction Setup

Merchant Credentials

To get started, you can use the credentials provided in your Sandbox, or the following test credentials:

Merchant ID: 10000100
Merchant Key: 46f0cd694581a
Merchant Passphrase: jt7NOE43FZPn

These credentials can be found on your live or Sandbox dashboard after you have logged in.

Note: They are unique to your account, but the Sandbox merchant_id and merchant_key have no correlation to your live account.

Sandbox URLs

Post payment URL: [https://sandbox.payfast.co.za](https://sandbox.payfast.co.za/)/eng/process
Transaction notification URL: https://sandbox.payfast.co.za/eng/query/validate

Buyer Credentials

Use the following buyer login details to complete test payments:

Username: sbtu01@payfast.io

Test it by logging in here.

PayFast Wallet

For a once-off payment, you will see the transaction amount and a PayFast Wallet (reset to R99,999,999.99 every night).
Complete the test transaction by clicking “Pay Now Using Your Wallet.”

Recurring Payments

For a recurring payment, you will see a message about the recurring payment, along with a test credit card and CVV number.
To make the test payment, select the credit card, enter the provided CVV number, and click “Pay.”
Subscriptions require a Sandbox account with a passphrase setup.

Transaction Notifications

To view a successful transaction notification, navigate to ITN (Instant Transaction Notification) in the Sandbox.

Going Live

If your Sandbox testing has confirmed correct integration and handling of responses, the live system will perform the same.

To switch live:

Replace your Sandbox credentials with live Merchant ID and Merchant Key.
Update the URLs to the following:

Post payment URL: https://www.payfast.co.za/eng/process
Transaction notification URL: https://www.payfast.co.za/eng/query/validate

Test Transactions in Live Mode

Any payments made while testing live will appear in your PayFast Wallet.
Once you have finished testing, these funds can be paid out.

Important:

Payments of less than ZAR 5.00 cannot be processed.

“Test” transactions processed in live mode are subject to transaction fees, which unfortunately cannot be refunded.