The verdict in three sentences
For a Berlin trading SME, net 30 or net 60 terms online are now delegated to a B2B deferred payment provider that scores the buyer, guarantees against default and pays you within 1 to 3 days, for 1.5 to 4 % per transaction. The legal frame is clear: the EU Late Payment Directive and German civil law (BGB) cap B2B terms at 60 days unless expressly agreed and not grossly unfair, and late payment interest plus a EUR 40 flat fee apply automatically. The right call is to compare the provider fee with your current cost of customer credit (DSO, dunning, bad debt), then build it into the B2B checkout.
Four ways to offer payment terms
Your sales reps already give 30 days to long-standing customers. The problem is the new customer arriving through the site: with no history, back office asks for prepayment and the buyer goes to a competitor offering "pay in 30 days". Four models coexist in 2026.
| Model | Who carries the risk | 2026 cost (order of magnitude) | Time to cash for you | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-house customer credit | You | 0 % direct, but bad debt 1 to 3 % of revenue plus dunning | 30 to 60 days, often more | Known long-standing customers |
| Credit insurance | The insurer, within granted limits | 0.1 to 0.4 % of insured revenue + review fees | 30 to 60 days | Stable portfolio |
| Factoring | The factor (recourse or non-recourse) | 0.5 to 2 % fee + interest | 24 to 72 hours after assignment | High invoice volumes |
| Deferred B2B payment in checkout | The provider | 1.5 to 4 % per transaction | 1 to 3 days | New online customers |
| Pay at order (card, transfer) | Nobody | 0.3 to 1.5 % (card) | Immediate | Small baskets |
Integrated deferred payment stands out for its instant decision: scoring happens in seconds at checkout, with a per-buyer limit usually between EUR 5,000 and 50,000 depending on the company's strength.
What you actually pay and what you gain
The fee depends on the term and the risk profile. The table below summarises 2026 benchmarks for a EUR 1,800 net B2B basket.
| Parameter | Net 30 | Net 60 |
|---|---|---|
| Provider fee | 1.5 to 2.5 % | 2.5 to 4 % |
| Cost on a EUR 1,800 basket | EUR 27 to 45 | EUR 45 to 72 |
| Default guarantee | 100 % on accepted buyers | 100 % on accepted buyers |
| Scoring acceptance rate | 80 to 90 % of SMEs | 75 to 85 % of SMEs |
| Observed increase in average order | 20 to 30 % | 20 to 30 % |
| Impact on your DSO | Near zero, paid within 1 to 3 days | Near zero |
On cash flow, the effect is twofold: you collect almost immediately and you remove part of back office time spent on dunning. On compliance, the invoice must state the term, the EUR 40 flat recovery fee and the late interest rate (9 points above the base rate in Germany for B2B).
Checkout integration: Kolonell scope and budget
Integration covers the payment method choice at checkout, the scoring call, refusal handling (fallback to card or transfer), status sync to your ERP or invoicing tool and display in the customer portal.
| Item | Content | Included |
|---|---|---|
| B2B checkout | Net 30 or net 60 choice, VAT ID, PO number | Yes |
| Scoring and refusals | Clear message, fallback option | Yes |
| Statuses and invoices | Sync with ERP or invoicing | Yes |
| Customer portal | Due dates, PDF invoices | Yes |
| Testing and acceptance | Accepted, refused and return scenarios | Yes |
On a new B2B site, this component fits a custom application project on the 2026 Kolonell grid: 2,500,000 to 4,000,000 FCFA (EUR 3,810 to 6,100) for a simple application, 4,000,000 to 7,000,000 FCFA (EUR 6,100 to 10,670) with ERP and an advanced customer portal. Indicative timeline: 4 to 8 weeks for the payment part. The provider fee is billed separately by the provider.
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Mini case study
Anna, CFO of an office and hygiene supplies trading SME in Berlin, receives 60 online orders a month with an average basket of EUR 1,800 net. By enabling net 30, she expects 50 % of buyers to use it, at a 2.5 % fee: 30 orders x EUR 1,800 x 2.5 % = EUR 1,350 a month. If average order value rises 20 %, extra revenue reaches EUR 21,600 a month; at a 25 % gross margin, that is EUR 5,400. Net gain comes out, as an order of magnitude, at EUR 4,050 a month, with no default risk on accepted buyers.
FAQ
What is the maximum B2B payment term in Germany?
Under the BGB, terms over 60 days are only valid if expressly agreed and not grossly unfair to the creditor, in line with the EU directive. In practice, net 30 is the norm and net 60 the ceiling for most SMEs.
How much does online B2B deferred payment cost?
In 2026, plan 1.5 to 4 % per transaction depending on term (30 or 60 days) and buyer profile. There is usually no subscription and no large fixed fee.
What happens if the buyer does not pay?
With a guaranteed solution, the provider has already paid you within 1 to 3 days and handles collection. Check exclusion clauses though, for example disputes over goods.
Can I keep my usual terms for existing customers?
Yes, the site can show on-account payment for known customers and guaranteed deferred payment for new ones. This requires account sync with the ERP, usually hourly.
How long does net 30 integration take?
Plan 4 to 8 weeks for the payment part, testing included, within a Kolonell project of EUR 3,810 to 10,670 depending on scope.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your order volume, average basket and ERP: we will price the net 30 or net 60 integration, the indicative budget and the timeline. Detailed quote within 48 h via our quote form. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.