Purchase on account
Purchase on account is a payment method where your customers receive the goods first and pay the amount within a payment period (typically 14–30 days) by bank transfer.
Purchase on account
Purchase on invoice (also invoice purchase or Invoice Payment) is one of the most popular payment methods in Switzerland and the DACH region. The buyer receives the goods or service first and pays the invoice amount within a defined period — typically 14 to 30 days — by bank transfer or QR-bill.
For merchants, invoice purchase has two sides: On the one hand, it increases conversion because customers do not need to have prior trust in the shop. On the other hand, the merchant bears the risk of payment default — the buyer may not be able to pay or may not want to pay. This risk can be reduced through credit checks (CRIF, Intrum) or outsourcing to BNPL providers (Klarna, TWINT Pay Later).
In Switzerland, there are two basic variants: Self-managed invoicing (the merchant sends the QR-bill themselves and bears the risk of default) and the BNPL variant (an External provider like Klarna takes over the payment, credit check, and risk of default). The costs for the BNPL variant are higher (1.60–2.40% + fixed fee), but in return, the merchant receives a payment guarantee.
Purchase on invoice examples
An online shop offers purchase on account at checkout. The customer selects this method, receives the goods and a QR invoice with a 30-day payment term.
A merchant uses Klarna for purchase on account: Klarna checks creditworthiness in real time, assumes the default risk and pays the merchant immediately.
A B2B wholesaler offers its corporate customers purchase on account with a 60-day payment term — without a BNPL provider, with its own credit check.
Purchase on invoice FAQ
What is purchase on invoice?
Purchase on account means: receive your goods first, pay later. You settle the amount within a specified period (14-30 days) via bank transfer or QR-bill.
What does purchase on account cost for merchants?
If managed independently, only the PSP fees apply (e.g. 0.50–0.60%). With BNPL providers like Klarna, the costs are 1.60–2.40% plus a fixed fee — in return, the provider assumes the default risk.
How do you reduce payment defaults when purchasing on account?
Through creditworthiness checks before purchase (CRIF, Intrum, Deltavista), order limits for new customers, address validation and a structured dunning process. Alternatively: outsourcing to a BNPL provider with a payment guarantee.
What is the difference between purchase on account and BNPL?
Purchase on account under your own management: The merchant issues the invoice and bears the default risk. BNPL (Buy Now Pay Later): An External provider (Klarna, TWINT Pay later) takes over the credit check, invoicing and default risk.
