Remove avoidable payment friction
Agree the legal customer, purchase-order requirement, price, delivery or service milestone, payment terms and invoice destination before starting. Put the due date and your verified payment details on a clear invoice. Send it to the customer’s accounts contact through the agreed route. Missing purchase orders or an invoice sent to the wrong person can delay an otherwise willing customer.
Chase the next action, not just the balance
Check that the invoice was received and approved. Before the due date, ask whether any information is missing. After it passes, reference the invoice, amount, due date and requested payment date. Keep a written record of promises and disputes. If there is a genuine query, address it without silently treating the entire account as paid. Review overdue balances weekly alongside the cash forecast.
Know the B2B rules before quoting charges
For eligible late commercial debts, statutory interest is generally 8% plus the Bank of England base rate. A different contractual interest rate can affect the statutory route. Fixed recovery compensation and other conditions may apply. These are business-to-business rules, not a blanket charge for consumer purchases. Use the current government guidance and appropriate advice for your contract before adding charges or taking recovery action.
Manage exposure while a debt is unresolved
Agree a written payment plan only if it is workable, and record dates and consequences. Review whether to accept more orders on credit under your agreed terms. Large first orders or repeated missed promises deserve a credit review. Never change bank details casually in a chase email: confirm any change through an established independent channel. If a debt remains disputed or the customer appears insolvent, seek suitable professional help. A firmer reminder cannot guarantee collection, and a late receipt may need to move into a later forecast week.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Make the next move a clearer one.
- Agree terms, purchase orders and the accounts contact upfront.
- Confirm the invoice has been received and approved.
- Keep a record of queries, promises and chase dates.
- Check the applicable B2B rules before adding charges.
- Update your cash forecast when a promised date slips.
Where we checked the details
Primary sources checked 11 October 2026. Rules, prices and eligibility can change. Confirm current terms with the official service.
General UK guidance and editorial checklists. Apply the official rules to your circumstances and seek qualified help where needed. This is researched guidance, not a claim that we have tested every provider or situation.
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