Applying for a credit account

A credit account lets an approved trade customer choose "Pay on account" at checkout and pay our invoices on agreed terms instead of paying for each order up front. You apply from your trade account once it is approved. A manager reviews every application, checks it against Companies House and your trade references, and emails you the decision with the limit and terms granted. A trade account and a credit account are separate approvals.

Who can apply for credit?

Credit is for trade customers. Your trade account must be approved first, because credit sits on top of it. A trade account on its own changes how prices show and which price book you buy from. It does not give you credit. Everyone without agreed terms pays when they order.

Sole traders and partnerships can apply. The company number is optional on the form, because a business that is not registered at Companies House does not have one.

How do I apply?

1. 1

   Step 1: Sign in to your trade account

   Use the email and password for your approved trade account. The credit application is in your account area. Each person who orders for the business should have their own sign-in rather than sharing one.

2. 2

   Step 2: Enter your business details

   Give the legal name of the business that will buy the goods (not a trading name or site name), its company number if it is registered, the registered address and the trading address, and the name of a director or owner. Press "Look up at Companies House" to fill in the name and registered address for you to check. If automatic lookup is not switched on, the form says so and you type them in. The lookup never stops you sending the application.

3. 3

   Step 3: Add your accounts contact

   Give the name, email and phone number of the person who deals with your invoices, so we know who to talk to about the account.

4. 4

   Step 4: Say what you are asking for

   Enter the credit limit you would like, in pounds including VAT, and the payment terms: due on receipt, 7, 14, 30 or 60 days.

5. 5

   Step 5: Name two trade references

   Give two suppliers who give you credit now, with a contact name and an email or phone number.

6. 6

   Step 6: Read and tick the consent

   The consent lets us check your details with Companies House, with the references you name and, if we use one, with a credit reference provider. The exact wording you agree to is stored with your application.

What happens after I send it?

Your application gets a reference and shows as "Received", then "Under review" once a manager picks it up. You can only have one application open at a time. If you try to send a second, the form tells you the first is still being considered.

A manager then decides. An approval names a credit limit and payment terms, and these are written to your account straight away. The limit and terms granted can differ from what you asked for, and a new account often starts lower. A decline comes with a note saying why. Either way, we email the decision to the email address on your trade account.

What can I do once I am approved?

• Pay on account at checkout. The option shows your terms, for example "Pay on account (net 30 days)", with your available credit and what is currently on the account.
• Add your own reference. Accounts with terms see a box for your PO or job reference, printed on the invoice. See purchase orders and references.
• Get monthly statements. A statement for the previous month is issued on the 1st and sits in your account as a PDF.

Paying the invoices is covered in paying your trade account. A PO number on an order does not by itself approve credit.

What if the business changes?

Tell us if the legal entity, ownership, billing address or the people allowed to order change. Credit is approved for one business on agreed terms, so a limit does not move across to a different company without a fresh review.

Where to go next

• Open a trade account first: apply on our trade page
• Trade accounts
• Trade pricing
• Paying your trade account

Questions we get asked