When Taobao merchants receive payment from buyers after selling products or services, the payment will enter the merchant's pending settlement account. Pending settlement refers to the payment that the merchant has received but has not yet been settled to the merchant's bank account or Alipay account.

During the pending settlement period, the Taobao platform will conduct a series of audits and verifications to ensure the legality and security of the transaction. These audits include but are not limited to the buyer's confirmation of receipt, refund processing, return and refund review, etc. The length of the pending settlement period is determined by multiple factors, such as product attributes, after-sales service, and merchant reputation.

Generally speaking, pending settlement funds will be gradually unfrozen and settled into the merchant's account within a certain period of time, so that the merchant can withdraw cash or perform subsequent operations. Merchants can log in to the Taobao seller backend to view the pending settlement funds, and can also view the specific settlement progress and time.

If merchants have any questions or problems with the settlement funds, it is recommended to contact Taobao customer service or Alipay customer service, who will provide more detailed explanations and help to ensure the merchant's funds are safe and settled smoothly.