Can I pay by invoice?

Yes, if you're a registered business with a valid VAT ID. Individual buyers need to use card payment instead.

Why invoice is business-only

The honest reason: Invoice payment carries financial risk. If someone doesn't pay, we've already sent the workwear and paid the brand. For individual orders, that risk doesn't make sense—card payment is just as fast and protects everyone.

For businesses with established credit, invoice terms make your life easier. Most companies pay invoices every 2 weeks anyway. So we take on that risk to make ordering simpler for you.

How business invoice payment works

1. Add products to cart

Shop like normal. No special steps needed.

2. Select "Invoice" at checkout

You'll need to provide your company's VAT ID.

3. We check your company credit

Automated check via SCHUFA (Germany), Creditsafe (other EU countries), or equivalent. Takes 10-30 seconds.

4. If approved, order confirmed

You get Net 14 days to pay after shipping.

5. Invoice arrives by email

Sent automatically once your order ships. Includes payment details and due date.

6. Pay within 14 days

Transfer payment to the bank details on the invoice.

What we check (and why)

Why we check credit: We're a growing startup company, not a bank. If too many invoices go unpaid, we can't keep offering this service. Credit checks help us offer invoice terms to businesses that'll likely pay on time—protecting our ability to serve everyone.

What we're checking:

• Company is legally registered and active
• VAT ID is valid
• No recent insolvency or bankruptcy
• Payment history (if available)

What we DON'T check:

• Personal credit scores
• Individual owners' credit history
• Bank account balances

Requirements for invoice payment

You need:

• Valid VAT ID (Umsatzsteuer-ID, ALV-tunnus, Momsregistreringsnummer, etc.)
• Registered business entity (GmbH, OY, AB, Ltd, etc.)
• Business address matching VAT registration
• Positive credit check result

You don't need:

• Minimum order value
• Previous order history (first-time customers welcome)
• Specific business size or revenue

Payment terms

Net 14 days from shipping date (not order date).

Why Net 14, not Net 30? Most workwear orders are urgent. Someone needs safety boots this week, not next month. Net 14 fits how urgent workwear purchases actually work while keeping our cash flow healthy enough to serve everyone.

Late payment fees (if you forget to pay)

We'd rather work with you than charge fees. But if invoices go overdue, here's the structure (per German law BGB §288):

Just let us know if you'll be late. Seriously. Email orders@droppe.com and we'll skip the reminders. We'd rather help you figure out a solution than nickel-and-dime you with fees.

What if my credit check fails?

Don't worry—you can still order. Just use card payment or a local payment method instead. Invoice payment is completely optional. Most customers use cards anyway—it's faster.

Why checks fail:

• New business (less than 6 months old)
• VAT ID not yet in credit bureau systems
• Recent address change not updated in registries
• Industry flagged as higher risk (no fault of yours)

Want to try again? Contact us and we'll review manually. Sometimes automated systems are too cautious.

First-time business customers

Your first invoice order will be:

• Slightly slower approval (up to 60 seconds)
• Subject to stricter verification (new relationship)

After your first successful payment:

• Future orders approve instantly (10-15 seconds)
• Higher order limits (we know you pay on time)
• Smoother checkout experience

We think this is fair: Everyone starts somewhere. We need to verify once, then trust takes over.

Can I opt out of credit checks?

Yes. Just use card payment or a local payment method—no credit check needed. Invoice payment is entirely optional.

Some businesses prefer cards anyway:

• Faster checkout (no credit check delay)
• Immediate accounting entry (no waiting for invoice)
• Payment protection benefits (chargeback rights)
• Simpler reconciliation (automatic)

Both options work great. Choose what fits your company's workflow.

What if I don't have a VAT ID?

No VAT ID = No invoice payment. Here's why: VAT IDs are how we verify businesses across the EU. Without one, we can't confirm you're a registered business entity.

Alternatives:

• Use card payment (works great, no verification needed)
• Register for a VAT ID with your tax authority
• Contact us if you're a business without VAT (rare cases—we'll discuss options)

Our philosophy on invoice payment

We think fair payment terms should match how businesses actually work. Most companies pay invoices every 2 weeks. Net 14 days fits that rhythm. If Net 30 made more sense, we'd offer it—but most workwear orders are urgent.

Credit checks protect everyone. They let us offer invoice terms confidently, knowing businesses can pay on time. Without them, we'd either have to deny everyone or risk going out of business. Neither helps you.

Flexibility matters. Don't want a credit check? Use cards. Need more time to pay? Let us know. We're not robots—we're people helping you get workwear.

Questions about invoice payment?

Credit check failed but shouldn't have? Contact us for manual review.

Need Net 30 instead of Net 14? Let us know—we can discuss for larger orders.

Want invoice payment but have edge case situation? Chat with us and we'll figure it out together.

Related articles:

• What payment methods do you accept?
• What are your payment terms?
• How do I request an invoice?

Updated on: 06/11/2025