How to politely request late payment from a manufacturing client
Late payment from a manufacturing client usually comes down to their process, not bad faith. Here's who pays, when, what tends to hold payment up, and a polite reminder you can send today.
Who pays, and when
A buyer or engineer orders. Accounts payable pays against the purchase order. 30- to 60-day terms are common, sometimes counted from the end of the month.
Why payment runs late
Invoices that don't match the PO, the delivery note and what was received get held.
Tips for chasing a manufacturing client
- Make sure the invoice lines match the PO and delivery note exactly.
- Ask whether the goods or work have been marked as received in their system.
- Clarify whether terms run from the invoice date or the end of the month.
Example reminder email
Subject: Quick reminder: invoice [number] Hi [first name], I hope all's well. Invoice [number] for [amount] was due on [date]. If it's already on its way, thank you, and please ignore this. The invoice lines match the purchase order and delivery note. Has the delivery been marked as received in your system? You can pay here: [payment link] Thanks, [Your name]