A reasonable timeframe to pay an invoice is typically 30 days (often termed "Net 30"), which is the standard in most industries for balancing cash flow. However, terms can range from immediate payment up to 90 days, depending on the agreement, industry, or company size.
Unless you agree a payment date, the customer must pay you within 30 days of getting your invoice or the goods or service. You can use a statutory demand to formally request payment of what you're owed.
Many businesses extend net 30 terms with their invoices, which means you have 30 days to make the payment. Some even give net 60, 90, or even higher terms. This helps with your cash flow and gives you an opportunity to assess the product or service you have purchased before you pay for it.
The standard invoice timeline usually spans 30 days, often referred to as Net 30 terms, but the specific duration can vary based on industry standards, client payment processes, and specific invoice terms.
A business owner can set their own payment terms when it comes to invoicing. They can choose to offer discounts for early payments and payment upfront. If no agreed-upon payment date has been established, a customer must pay a company within 30 days of receiving an invoice or the goods or service.
Most companies expect invoices to be paid in around 30 days, so anything around this figure should be considered relatively normal.
Here are seven tips for setting up better payment terms for your clients.
30+ days late
If your client hasn't made payment (or meaningful contact) within 30 days of the invoice becoming due, it may be time to issue a letter before action (LBA), or to pass over the matter to a debt collection agency. An LBA gives your client formal notice that legal action is imminent.
The more common payment terms are net 30 and net 60. Net 30 means that the business owner expects payment within 30 days from the invoice date. Net (number of days) is a credit term that means a business delivered a product or service first in expectation of receiving compensation at the stated date.
Many companies consider an ideal average payment period to be around 90 days. A payment period significantly longer than 90 days suggests that the company is taking too long to settle its credit, while a shorter average payment period indicates that the company makes prompt payments to its suppliers.
Business clients (B2B)
For business transactions, the usual term is 30 days. A longer period (up to 60 days) is possible if both parties agree in writing. However, many freelancers choose shorter freelance invoice payment terms, such as 14 or 30 days, to protect their cash flow.
Some clients genuinely believe they'll have the money “next week.” Others are juggling multiple bills and hoping things magically align. Either way, they're postponing payment, not maliciously, but optimistically (and sometimes irresponsibly).
Under the Limitation Act 1980, invoices can be issued up to six years after the work was completed or the goods were delivered. While there is no legal restriction within this time frame, issuing invoices promptly is always best to avoid disputes or complications.
The general rule is 30 days from the invoice date. However, you can discuss this with your customer and either make it shorter or longer than 30 days. Regardless of what you agree upon, the payment terms and the due date should be clearly stated on the invoice.
Stick within the legal time limit for invoicing.
Although the legal time limits for invoicing are usually forgiving, you should send invoices within 30 days to maintain a steady cash flow.
Across the board, net 30 terms are standard practice in most industries and should be a good fallback if you don't know where you stand. This means that the customer is required to pay within 30 days from receipt of the invoice.
While 30-day payment terms are common, there are plenty of alternatives that might suit your business or customer needs. Choosing the right terms depends on factors such as the reliability of your customers and the nature of your industry. Here are some other standard options.
30-day e-invoicing upload rule: Businesses with an AATO of ₹10 crore or more must upload their e-invoices to the IRP within 30 days of the invoice date (effective from April 1, 2025), after which the system will reject them.
Federal law says that invoices remain outstanding for up to 6 years; i.e., you can pursue a client for an unpaid invoice even if that invoice is 6 years old. Past that point, you'll probably need to seek legal action if you want to receive your payment.
Getting a Client to Pay an Invoice after Nonpayment
Net 7, Net 30, Net 60: payment is due in 7, 30, or 60 days from the invoice date. Payment in advance (PIA): you require payment before you provide the goods or services, which helps you secure cash flow on large projects. Cash on delivery (COD): the customer pays at the time of delivery, often used for physical goods.
If you were offering a Net 30 payment term, the terms section of your invoice might look like this: Terms: Net 30. Payment due within 30 days from invoice date. Failure to pay by this due date will result in late fees of [add details of % or amount].