# Collections

A collection is a payment request initiated on behalf of a beneficiary to a payer which is one-time use with a link expiry.

A collection produces a payment link you share with the payer. Each collection has a unique ID that you track from creation through to completion, and it can be cancelled to prevent further payment against it.

Use a collection when the payment is a discrete event. For a repeating relationship where the same payer pays the same beneficiary over time, use a [channel](/products/collections/v0/concepts/channels) instead.

## How collections relate to other resources

- The [partners](/products/collections/v0/concepts/partners) involved are the payer (source of funds) and the beneficiary (recipient).
- When a payer pays, the result is recorded as a [transaction](/products/collections/v0/concepts/transactions).


## API operations

- [Create a collection](/products/collections/v0/api/collections/collection-links/createcollection): Generate a new payment link for a specific transaction.
- [List collections](/products/collections/v0/api/collections/collection-links/listcollections): Retrieve a list of all collections, which can be filtered by `id`, `payer_id`, `beneficiary_id`, `since` or `until`.
- [Get collection details](/products/collections/v0/api/collections/collection-links/getcollectionbyid): View the full details and current status of a single collection.
- [Cancel a collection](/products/collections/v0/api/collections/collection-links/cancelcollection): Invalidate a payment link, preventing further payments from being made against it.