Provisions for invoices and dunning notices

Keep this in mind 

• You are responsible for paying the invoice when due, even if you have not received it.  

• If you don’t pay when due, the company may levy a dunning charge against you or send your case to a debt collection agency.  

• If you have received an inaccurate invoice, a dunning charge or a demand for payment from a debt collector, you need to contest the claim with a written response to the company.  

You are responsible for paying on time 

When you purchase something on credit with an agreement to pay by invoice, you are always responsible for paying the invoice by the due date. This applies irrespective of whether you have received the invoice or not. If your invoice gets lost in the post, for example, this does not change your obligation to pay it. If you don’t have the invoice, you need to contact the company and ask for the invoice details so that you can pay. 

How much time do I have to pay an invoice? 

There is no specific law that determines how many days you have to pay an invoice. Companies determine the terms of payment, and when you choose to purchase something from them you agree to these terms of payment. This means, for example, that you cannot demand 30 days terms to pay an invoice. 

For example, some companies offer to invoice with the payment due in ten days, while others offers a longer credit period. Therefore, read the payment terms and conditions before you purchase something. You must pay when by when the company requests, provided you have received what you have purchased. 

Dunning notices and dunning charges – what applies? 

If you don’t pay your invoice when due, the company can send you a new invoice and levy a dunning charge against you. Any dunning charge must be specified in the contract and it cannot be more than SEK 60. The company may only charge a dunning charge once. 

It is your responsibility to ensure that the company receives payment on time, by the due date at the latest. Remember that the due date is the latest date on which the company should have received the money, not the latest date on which you can send payment. 

The amount in the dunning notice must be paid within the time limit stated on the reminder invoice. 

I have paid on time but still received a dunning notice

If you have paid the invoice on time but still received a dunning notice, you can object to the dunning notice by writing to the company. E-mails are a good way to document that you have contacted them. Use a bank statement or a receipt showing when and how much you paid. 

I haven’t received an invoice

You still have to pay the dunning charge even if you have not received an invoice, as long as the company can show that they have sent the original invoice. If the company cannot show that they have sent the original invoice, you can raise an objection to the dunning charge. 

Further information about how to contest an invoice 

Debt collection and payment default records 

If you have not paid the invoice when due, the company can send you a claim via a debt collection agency. 

Receiving a debt collection demand is not the same as having a payment default record placed on your credit file. But if you do not pay your debt, it may lead to a payment default record being placed on your credit file. A payment default record affects your credit worthiness and can make it more difficult for you to purchase things on credit or take out loans in the future. 

If you think the debt collection demand is unfounded or otherwise wrong, you need to challenge it, meaning to contest the validity of the debt collection demand. You should never ignore a debt collection demand, even if you think it is faulty. Contact the party who sent the demand for payment, preferably by e-mail. Be sure to keep a copy of your e-mail or other document showing that you contested the demand. You will not have a payment default record placed on your credit file notice for contesting a faulty claim. 

Read more about debt collection and payment default records 

Can companies charge an invoicing fee? 

Companies are allowed to charge an administration fee for processing payments, provided that this is stated in the contract between you and the company. The invoicing fee is allowed provided that it is reasonable and corresponds to the actual cost that the company incurs due to the payment processing. 

This means that companies can also charge a fee for payments via e-invoice and direct debit, provided that this is stated in the contract. However, sometimes the fee can be lower if you change the payment method from, for example, a paper invoice to an e-invoice. 

How much time does a business have to send out an invoice? 

A company has the right to demand payment from a consumer for up to three years. So if you haven’t paid for what you purchased, it doesn’t matter if the company contacts you after, say, a year to demand payment. You are still under the obligation to pay. After three years, the company can no longer claim the money from you. That means that the collection of the debt is time barred, due to time specified in the statute of limitations having run out. 

Sometimes the statute of limitations period may be extended, for example if the company sends you a new demand notice. You cannot therefore count on your debt becoming time-barred. 

Read more about debts and the statute of limitations

The company chooses whether or not to offer credit 

It is up to each individual company to decide which credit terms and payment methods they offer their customers. For example, it is not a given that they give you credit and offer you the option to pay by invoice. This means that you can never insist that the company allows you to pay by invoice, unless the company has committed to do so, for example, in its terms and conditions of sale or by prior agreement between you. 

If you don’t know what the invoice is for, you can contact the company and ask for an invoice specification. 

I have received an invoice for something I did not order

If you have received an invoice for something you did not order, you should dispute the invoice. Disputing an invoice means that you notify the company that you challenge the validity of the invoice and therefore will not pay it. It is important that you explain why in your opinion the invoice is incorrect or unfounded, for example because you have not purchased anything from the company. 

When you dispute an invoice, it is important that you contact the company in writing so that you have a written record of your formally challenging the validity of the invoice and not simply neglected to pay. You can send an e-mail, for example. 

Further information about how to contest an invoice