B2B Buy Now Pay Later in NZ: Why Consumer BNPL Doesn't Work for Business

What Is B2B Buy Now Pay Later?

B2B Buy Now Pay Later allow businesses to pay for goods or services in instalments, opposed to upfront. While consumer BNPL has become mainstream in New Zealand through providers like Afterpay, Laybuy, Klarna, and Zip, B2B Buy Now Pay Later operates differently.

Consumer BNPL is designed for small transactions — typically a few hundred dollars, paid off over 4-6 weeks. B2B BNPL, on the other hand, is built for business invoices ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars, with payment terms extending over 3, 6, 9+ months.

Why Consumer BNPL Doesn't Work for B2B Transactions

While Afterpay, Laybuy, Klarna, and Zip are excellent for consumer purchases, they're not designed to handle the unique requirements of B2B sales:

1. Transaction Limits Are Too Low

Consumer BNPL platforms typically cap transactions at $1,000-$2,000. Business invoices for manufacturing, packaging, chemicals, or bulk supplies often exceed $5,000-$50,000 or more.

2. Payment Terms Are Too Short

Consumer BNPL splits payments over 4-6 weeks. B2B buyers need 3, 6, or 9 months to align payments with their revenue cycles and cashflow.

3. No Invoice Integration

Consumer platforms are built for e-commerce checkouts, not B2B invoice workflows. Suppliers can't simply generate a payment link tied to their existing invoice process.

4. Supplier Doesn't Get Paid Upfront

Many consumer BNPL models still involve payment delays for merchants. B2B suppliers need to be paid upfront and in full to maintain healthy cashflow.

Consumer BNPL Options in NZ: Quick Overview

Here's a quick look at the main consumer BNPL providers in New Zealand. While these are great for retail purchases, they're not built for B2B:

Afterpay

One of the most recognizable consumer BNPL platforms in NZ. Offers 4 fortnightly instalments with a credit limit typically under $2,000. Late fee: $10 for first missed payment, then $7 every 7 days, capped at 25% of item cost.

Laybuy

Founded in NZ in 2016, Laybuy offers 6 weekly instalments. Popular with retailers like Cotton On, Briscoes, and PB Tech. Late fee: $10 per missed payment, capped at $40.

Klarna

Global BNPL service now available in NZ. Offers 4 fortnightly instalments with reward points for purchases. Late fees start at $3 per missed instalment for balances over $50, capped at $9.

Zip

Available at over 3,000 retailers including The Warehouse, Bunnings, and Noel Leeming. Offers 4 fortnightly instalments with credit up to $1,500. Late fee: $8 per missed payment plus $8 weekly, capped at $40.

Consumer BNPL vs B2B BNPL (PaidTerms)

How PaidTerms Works for B2B Suppliers

PaidTerms is purpose-built for New Zealand suppliers and manufacturers selling to other businesses.

Here's how it works:

• Generate a payment link tied to your invoice
• Customer selects their payment term (3, 6, or 9 months)
• You get paid upfront and in full for approved invoices
• Customer pays in instalments managed by PaidTerms
• Credit risk sits with us — not with you

Unlike consumer BNPL platforms that focus on small retail purchases, PaidTerms is designed specifically for B2B invoice transactions, longer payment terms, and higher transaction values.

Why PaidTerms Is the Best B2B BNPL Option in NZ

For suppliers and manufacturers, PaidTerms offers what consumer BNPL platforms can't:

Built for B2B invoices — Not retail checkouts. Generate payment links tied directly to your invoices.

Higher transaction limits — Handle invoices from $5,000 to $50,000+ without transaction caps.

Longer payment terms — Offer 3, 6, 9+ month instalments that align with B2B cashflow cycles.

Supplier gets paid upfront — Receive full payment immediately for approved invoices, not partial or delayed payment.

No credit risk — PaidTerms manages repayments and carries the credit risk, not you.