What Does Net 7 or Net 14 Mean on an Invoice?
Net 7 means the full invoice amount is due within 7 days of the invoice date. Net 14 means it's due within 14 days. "Net" means the whole amount, with no early payment discount. On NZ invoices you'll often see the same terms written as "7 days" or "payment due 14 days from invoice".
Working Out the Due Date
Count calendar days from the invoice date, not from when the goods arrived or when you opened the email. The invoice date is day zero.
| Invoice date | Net 7 due | Net 14 due |
|---|---|---|
| 3 November | 10 November | 17 November |
| 19 December | 26 December | 2 January |
| 28 January | 4 February | 11 February |
Notice the December row: both due dates land in the Christmas and New Year shutdown, when many NZ accounts teams aren't paying anything. If you're the buyer, pay before you close; if you're the supplier, expect those to arrive in the first week of January unless you ask.
Net 7 and Net 14 Compared to Other NZ Terms
| Term | Due | Days to pay (invoice dated 5th) |
|---|---|---|
| Net 7 | 7 days after invoice | 7 |
| Net 14 | 14 days after invoice | 14 |
| Net 30 | 30 days after invoice | 30 |
| 20th of the month following | 20th of next month | About 45 |
| EOM 30 | 30 days after month end | About 55 |
For every common abbreviation in one place, see the NZ payment terms cheat sheet.
If You're the Buyer
Short terms usually mean one of three things: you're a new account, you're buying from a small supplier or tradesperson who can't wait a month for cash, or it's a one off job rather than ongoing supply. A fortnightly payment run can miss a Net 7 invoice entirely, so pay these as they arrive or ask for Net 14 instead.
If You're the Supplier
Net 7 or Net 14 makes sense for new customers with no payment history, small jobs where chasing costs more than the invoice, and businesses with thin margins and fast stock turns. The trade-off is that larger trade buyers are used to the 20th of the month following, and some will choose a competitor offering it. A common path is Net 7 for the first few orders, then a full trade account once the customer has paid reliably.
Example: a Palmerston North cleaning supplies wholesaler starts new café accounts on Net 7, then moves them to the 20th of the month following after three on time payments. A café paying a $640 order inside a week has to fit it around wages and rent; on monthly terms it can order a month's stock at once and pay from that month's takings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Net 7 mean 7 business days or 7 calendar days?
Calendar days, unless the invoice or terms of trade say otherwise. Weekends and public holidays are counted.
Is "7 days" the same as Net 7?
Yes. "7 days", "payment due in 7 days" and "Net 7" all mean the full amount is due 7 days after the invoice date. "7 days following" is sometimes used to mean the same thing.
What happens if the due date falls on a weekend?
Most NZ terms of trade don't move the date, so the safe option is to pay on the last business day before it. Paying on the following Monday is common in practice, but it's technically late.
Can I ask a supplier to change Net 7 to Net 30?
Yes, once you have a few months of on time payments. Ask for a trade account application, since longer terms usually come with a credit limit and sometimes a credit check.
Is Net 14 common in New Zealand?
It's common for services, trades and smaller suppliers. Wholesale and building supply accounts more often use the 20th of the month following.
