Invoice Payment Terms Examples (Net 7/14/30)

Payment terms tell clients when payment is due. Clear terms help you get paid faster and avoid disputes. This guide explains common UK payment terms with examples you can use.

What Are Payment Terms?

Payment terms specify when a client must pay an invoice. They're usually written as "Net X" where X is the number of days from the invoice date, or as a specific due date.

Common Payment Terms Explained

Net 7 (Payment Due in 7 Days)

Payment is due 7 days after the invoice date. Best for:

• • Small jobs and one-off work
• • New clients (until trust is established)
• • Emergency or urgent work
• • Retail or consumer clients

Net 14 (Payment Due in 14 Days)

Payment is due 14 days after the invoice date. Best for:

• • Most UK sole traders and freelancers
• • Regular clients with good payment history
• • Service-based businesses
• • Small to medium projects

Net 30 (Payment Due in 30 Days)

Payment is due 30 days after the invoice date. Best for:

• • Established business clients
• • Large projects or contracts
• • B2B transactions
• • Clients with monthly payment cycles

Due on Receipt / Immediate Payment

Payment is due immediately upon receiving the invoice. Best for:

• • Emergency work
• • Small amounts (under £100)
• • One-off consumer work
• • Clients with poor payment history

Specific Due Date

Payment is due on a specific date, regardless of invoice date. Best for:

• • Monthly retainer clients
• • Clients who pay on specific dates
• • Recurring invoices

How to Write Payment Terms on Invoices

Be clear and specific. Good examples:

Avoid vague terms like:

Late Payment Rights (UK)

Under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act, you can charge:

• • Statutory interest: 8% per year plus Bank of England base rate
• • Fixed compensation: £40-£100 depending on invoice amount
• • Reasonable debt recovery costs

You can claim these even if not stated on the invoice, but it's better to mention your late payment policy upfront.

Choosing the Right Payment Terms

Consider:

• 💼 Client type: Consumers vs businesses have different expectations
• 💼 Invoice amount: Larger invoices often have longer terms
• 💼 Payment history: Shorter terms for clients who pay late
• 💼 Industry standard: What do others in your trade use?
• 💼 Cash flow needs: How quickly do you need the money?

Setting Payment Terms in Experi

Experi makes it easy to set and manage payment terms:

• ✨ Default terms: Set your preferred terms once, apply to all invoices
• ✨ Per-invoice terms: Override defaults for specific clients
• ✨ Automatic due dates: Calculated from invoice date
• ✨ Payment reminders: Automatic emails before and after due date

Summary

Clear payment terms help you get paid faster. Net 14 is standard for most UK freelancers, but choose terms that work for your business and clients. Always state terms clearly on invoices, and know your rights for late payments.