Glossary: Order rules
Net terms
Net terms are a payment arrangement where the buyer receives the goods first and pays the invoice within an agreed number of days, written as Net followed by the days, such as Net 30. Sellers offer them to approved buyers they trust to pay.
In detail
Net terms turn a wholesale order into short-term credit. The seller ships now and invoices, and the buyer pays when the term ends. Net 30 means payment is due 30 days after the start date, Net 60 means 60 days, and Net 15 is a common shorter step for newer accounts. Other forms exist: due on receipt, due on fulfillment, end of month (EOM), and a fixed calendar date.
Buyers like net terms because they can sell the stock before they pay for it, which eases cash flow. Sellers offer them to win and keep larger accounts, since many business buyers expect invoice terms by default. The cost is risk and admin: the seller carries the money until the due date, may chase late payments, and needs a way to decide who qualifies.
Most sellers do not give terms to everyone. A common pattern is to ask a new buyer to prepay or pay by card on the first order, check their business details, then move reliable accounts to Net 15 or Net 30. A credit limit caps how much unpaid balance one buyer can hold, and a purchase order (PO) number on each order gives both sides a reference when the invoice arrives.
Net terms are often paired with an early payment discount such as 2/10 net 30, where the buyer takes 2% off for paying within 10 days. Write the start date, the due date and any late fee on the invoice in plain words.
Example
A retailer places a $2,400 order on October 1 on Net 30 terms, so the invoice is due October 31. With 2/10 net 30 terms, paying by October 11 would settle it for $2,352 instead.
On Shopify
Shopify's native B2B has payment terms for company buyers. The options are no payment terms, Net 7, 15, 30, 45, 60 or 90, due on fulfillment, and a fixed date (draft orders only). Terms start from the day the order is placed, and payments are not captured automatically when the terms expire. You set terms on a company location or on a draft order. Net terms and payment reminders are listed on all plans, while deposit requirements are Shopify Plus only.
Sources: Shopify Help Center: B2B payment terms (read October 4, 2026); Shopify Help Center: Shopify B2B features by plan (read October 4, 2026).
In BSS B2B apps
BSS B2B Solution's Net Terms module offers terms such as due on receipt, Net 7, 15, 30, 60 or 90, end of month or custom terms, for logged-in customers, specific customers or customer tags. It creates a Shopify draft order that carries the payment terms, which you review by default or complete as an order. It does not manage credit limits. Net Terms is on paid plans, see the pricing page.
Setup docs
Related use cases
Learn more
Read the Order rules and terms hub for guides, use cases and setup docs, or the complete Shopify B2B guide.
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
What does Net 30 mean?
Net 30 means the invoice is due in full 30 days after the start date, usually the invoice or order date. The buyer receives the goods first and pays within that window.
Does Shopify support net terms without Shopify Plus?
Yes. Shopify's Help Center lists net terms and payment reminders on Basic, Grow, Advanced and Plus. Deposit requirements and partial payments are the part that is limited to Plus (Shopify Help Center, read 2026-10-04).
Are net terms the same as a credit limit?
No. Net terms say when an invoice is due. A credit limit says how much unpaid balance one buyer may carry at once. Sellers often set both for the same account.