pacs.004.001.11 — Payment Return ​

ISO namePaymentReturnV11
Registration statusRegistered
Year2019
Version11

Overview ​

The pacs.004 message is used to return a previously settled payment transaction. It reverses the flow of funds when a payment cannot be applied, was sent in error, or is being recalled by the originating institution.

Key data elements ​

  • GrpHdr — Group Header with message identification and creation timestamp
  • TxInf — Transaction Information with return amount and parties
  • OrgnlGrpInf — Original Group Information linking to the source message
  • RtrRsnInf — Return Reason Information with structured reason codes
  • OrgnlTxRef — Original Transaction Reference for matching and reconciliation

Business context ​

  • Handles post-settlement returns when the beneficiary's account cannot be credited
  • Supports recall scenarios where the originator requests return of funds
  • Carries structured return reason codes for regulatory and operational transparency
  • Applies to both credit transfer returns (pacs.008) and direct debit returns (pacs.003)

CBPR+ and scheme context ​

  • Replaces MT103 RETURN and cover-method return messaging
  • Return reason codes are standardised and machine-readable under ISO 20022
  • CBPR+ requires full original transaction reference data for matching
  • SWIFT gpi tracking extends to return transactions for end-to-end visibility

Message flow ​

The instructed agent sends pacs.004 back through the payment chain to return previously settled funds. Each agent in the chain processes the return and credits back the relevant accounts.

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