Selling to Italy?

Has anyone had experience in selling to Italy? We have a company who want to distribute our products exclusively and they are telling us that their terms are 60 days. Our payment terms are 30 days after 3 prepayments. Any idea where we stand if they ignore our contract terms and we are waiting for the money from Italy?

Good luck !

These days we all need to be careful. I'm sure their bank can offer letters of guarantees for payment etc.

I forget what you call it and dont know if it is current in europe.

If it was me I would be trying to get their bank to underwrite the credit in some sort of way.

Your prices should take account of 60 days payment terms.

Whilst payment terms in Italy are often 60 days the reality is often closer to 90-120 days before payment materialises...

Even our Italian recovery agents often take 90 days to pay us!

As always do your homework before selling abroad, get a credit check from a reputable source and ensure you are confident that this client can support credit for at least 4 months!

U currently have 2 clients.

1 Who owes me money from December, and has made no contact with me regarding payment. (my terms are 21 days). I sent a statement and chased that up with a phone call. They tell me they received the statement but not the invoice. They never contacted me to ask for a duplicate invoice, nor have they attempted to make payment.

Another client, I was owed money from November, and are paying in dribs and drabs, only after much hassling, and cold calling to remind them. Again terms are 21 days, and they are dragging their heels in paying the remaining balance. Granted it is only £35.00 now, (it was over £100.00 at the beginning) but still is really winding me up the chasing about I need to do, just to get £10.00 out of them!


So I would like to charge interest on both accounts, and claim my compensation as they're taking the mick, and have the benefit of two nice new signs, encouraging business, when they haven't even paid for them!

Do I now raise an invoice for my compensation to both companies. (VAT free), and then in sage charge my interest? Do I have to send both invoices, and a statement to the clients?

Or do I wait for the client to finally make payment and then charge the interest?

I understand that there is new Prompt Payment Legislation in France and Spain. Are there any details available Please.