When is it safe to assume money can't be reversed?

[beaverislander]

I sold an item and the buyer is paying with PayPal. I would like to know when it is safe to send the merchandise, knowing that the buyer will not be able to cancel or somehow reverse the payment? In other words.... when is the money for sure mine?

Thanks

[kernowlass]

@beaverislander 

Buyers have up to 180 days to open disputes for non receipt of item or item received and whilst its rare to have a dispute that late, IF you did lose then it wouldn't matter if you had spent the money paypal would put your account into negative until you paid them back again or chase you with a debt collection agency.

So your best bet is to read up on seller protection and then risk assess your own transactions.