13 net 30 accounts and vendors to help your business build credit

Building a good credit score for business loans can make it easier for you to secure financing in the future when your business needs it. One easy way to start building credit is by using net 30 accounts.

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In this guide, we'll explain how to establish trade lines with net 30 vendors to help build business credit and access higher credit limits. Then, we’ll list some popular net 30 accounts that might suit your business.

What is a net 30 account?

A net 30 account is a 30 day trade credit agreement on invoices from business vendors. Also known as a vendor tradeline or net 30 tradeline, these agreements allow you to pay vendors within 30 days (including weekends and holidays) after the invoice, with no interest.

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For example, if an invoice is due March 1st, you'd have until March 31st to pay it in full without any interest. Net-30 accounts are typically free, though some charge an annual fee for the credit line.

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As long as the vendor reports to the business credit bureaus, like Dun & Bradstreet, Equifax, or Experian, on-time payments will build up your credit score.

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Net-30 accounts may also make it easier for your company to budget for variable expenses; rather than paying upfront, you’ll know 30 days before bills are due how much they’ll cost your company.

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How do you qualify for a net 30 account?

To qualify for net 30 accounts, your business must be fully established. Most vendors will ask for proof that your business has been operating for at least 30 days.

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Vendors typically ask for the following information:

• Legal business name: Your business should be a legal entity, like an LLC or S Corporation. If you operate as a sole proprietor, it’s still a good idea to register with your Secretary of State.

• Business contact information: Most vendors will ask for a business phone number, email address, and physical address.
• Business bank account: Having a business bank account is a requirement for some vendors.

• Employer Identification Number (EIN): Vendors will typically ask for your business’s Federal Tax ID number.
• D-U-N-S number: A D-U-N-S number allows your payment history to be reported to Dun & Bradstreet. You can request one through their website.
• Business credit history: Not all vendors require a credit check, but those who do will want to see a history of on-time payments.

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Vendors may also require that you own a 25% share in the company or higher as the business owner. They may additionally require a minimum purchase amount before offering credit to customers, while others may need an initial deposit.

Net 30 vs. net 15 payment terms

While net 30 terms allow you to pay invoices within 30 days, net 15 vendors offer a 15-day window. Both options have their advantages and considerations.

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Opting for net 30 terms can provide your business with a more extended period to manage cash flow. This flexibility may be particularly valuable if your business experiences occasional delays in revenue collection or if you want to take advantage of longer payment cycles.

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On the other hand, net 15 terms offer a shorter payment window, which can be advantageous if you have a consistent and reliable cash flow. This shorter cycle can help you reduce outstanding debts more quickly, potentially enhancing your business's financial health. Additionally, some vendors may offer early payment discounts for net 15 terms, allowing you to save money on your purchases.

13 best net 30 business accounts for new businesses

Here’s a look at some of the best net 30 accounts. Our picks include those with easy approval and no interest rate within 30 days of receiving an invoice.

Newegg Business

Newegg Business offers a Net 30 Credit Line to companies purchasing computers and other IT equipment. It can take five to 10 business days for the company to process your application.

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To qualify for a Newegg Business Net 30 account, a business must first create a NeweggBusiness account. This requires valid email and primary contact information, along with company details including an EIN. The primary account holder is the only one eligible to apply for net 30 terms. There’s no fee to set up the net 30 account.

Shirtsy

Looking for company swag? You can purchase t-shirts, jackets, and accessories with net 30 terms. Simply fill out Shirtsy's online application for net 30 terms.

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For Shirtsy's Net 30 account, a business must have been operational for at least 30 days and have an EIN. The application process doesn't involve a personal credit check or personal guarantee. The approval process is contingent on commercial data reports but does not result in a hard credit inquiry on personal credit. The account setup requires an annual membership fee of $99.

Summa Office Supplies

Clients of Summa Office Supplies can get net 30 terms for items like pens, notebooks, and tape. Once you’ve activated your account, click on the button that says “Bill My Net-30 Terms Account” at checkout.

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To qualify for a Summa Office Supplies Net 30 account, businesses need a bank account, legal entity status in good standing, an EIN, a DUNS number, and a consistent business address on all documents. A minimum purchase of $75 is required for reporting to business credit bureaus. The account setup involves an annual service fee of $75.

Uline

Uline, a family-owned business selling industrial and packing materials, makes it easy for new customers to get net 30 credit by using the customer number on the back of their catalog. If the company needs further information, a credit agent will reach out to you.

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Uline doesn't require a Social Security number or business bank account information. The application asks for bank and trade references, a DUNS number if available, and approval allows for net 30 payment terms at checkout. There’s no annual membership fee, and business credit activity is reported to business credit bureaus like Experian.

Quill

Customers who place an online order for at least $100 of office products can request net 30 terms at checkout. Quill will run a credit check on your business, typically completed within 24 hours.

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The application also requires basic company information such as business name, address, legal entity structure, EIN, business age, number of employees, and estimated annual income. There’s no annual fee for the Quill Net 30 account, and it reports to both Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) and Experian Business.

Crown Office Supplies

Crown Office Supplies is another office supply vendor that provides net 30 terms to qualified customers, including new businesses. You can apply for a net 30 account on the company’s website.

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To qualify, you must be an Authorized Officer and Controlling Party of your business entity, and the application requires information such as the legal business name, business address, EIN, and possibly a DUNS number. Crown Office Supplies reports to all three major credit bureaus: Dun & Bradstreet, Experian Business, and Equifax Business. However, there’s a $99 annual fee for the net 30 account, with a minimum purchase amount of $30 to report payment history.

Office Garner

To qualify for a net 30 account at Office Garner, your business must be at least 30 days old. You can use the account to pay for traditional office supplies in addition to electronics or services like Web site design.

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Applicants must have an EIN, and the authorized officer of the organization must submit the application. Office Garner reports customer payments to credit bureaus such as Equifax Business, Credit Safe, and the SBFE. There’s a one-time $69 administration processing fee for setting up the net 30 account with Office Garner.

The CEO Creative

The CEO Creative sells a variety of office supplies and services, including printed products like business cards and brochures. You can apply for a net 30 account on the website.

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Eligible businesses must have been in operation for at least 30 days and maintain a clean business history with no late payments. The CEO Creative doesn't require an application fee or annual fee for their net 30 account.

JJGold International

You can find office décor, such as desk accessories and furniture accents at JJ Gold International. The company has approved more than 25,000 customers for net 30 accounts. To qualify, your order must be worth more than $80, and new customers must make a deposit of 50% of their order.

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Businesses applying for this account must have an EIN and a DUNS number, along with a clean business history without any late payments or derogatory reporting. There’s a 17.99% APR for all past due payments. The terms of the offer also state that only new accounts can qualify.

Strategic Network Solutions

While many of the vendors on this list sell goods, you can also get net 30 terms for service providers as well. Strategic Network Solutions provides net 30 terms for up to $2,000 in credit for IT and services such as endpoint security and business continuity assistance.

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Businesses must have an EIN and a DUNS number, be established for at least 30 days, and have no delinquencies. The application process requires an authorized officer of the organization to submit the application. An $80 downloadable product purchase is required to open the net 30 account with Strategic Network Solutions.

Creative Analytics

With Creative Analytics, you can get net 30 terms for digital marketing services, such as content strategy or site search engine optimization (SEO). The verification process takes three to five days.

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To qualify, applicants need an EIN and a DUNS number, and must not have any derogatory business reporting or delinquencies. The application process requires the applicant to be an Authorized Officer of the organization. Creative Analytics reports to Equifax Business and Creditsafe. There’s an annual fee of $79 for their Purchasing Charge Account, which allows buying physical products and limited digital services from their store.

JAM Industrial Supply

You can get net 30 terms from JAM Industrial Supply for purchases of a wide range of business products, from office cleaning supplies to health and safety equipment.

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To apply, you’ll need to download and print out an application and send it back to the company for approval. The application asks for basic business information like its address and contact details as well as an EIN. You must also provide business credit references. There’s no annual fee for JAM Industrial Supply’s net 30 account.

Home Depot

Home Depot offers a net 30 account known as the Home Depot Commercial Account. This account allows businesses to make purchases and defer payment for 30 days, helping to manage cash flow and budget for projects.

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To apply, you’ll need to provide basic business information as well as personal information, including your Social Security Number. A personal guarantee is recommended for new small businesses or those not meeting certain criteria like having fewer than 10 employees, operating as a sole proprietorship or partnership, being in business for less than three years, or if your business has less than $2M in annual revenue.

Is Costco a net 30 account?

The Costco Anywhere Visa Business Credit Card lets you buy items from Costco or any other merchants who accept Visa, then pay right away or over time. In that way, it’s similar to a net 30 account. The card reports to the business credit bureaus, so making timely payments can help you build a good credit history.

Best practices for building business credit with net 30 accounts

Building good credit gives your business a competitive advantage, especially in the event of a potential economic downturn. By contrast, having a poor business credit history could cost your company money due to higher interest rates.  

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If you establish vendor trade lines, it's important to use them responsibly. Here are some best practices for how to manage your net 30 accounts and build business credit:

Pay bills on time

Having net 30 accounts is just the first step in using them to build your credit profile. You'll also need to pay your invoices from those vendors on time—or early. Some companies offer terms that provide a discount of 5% or more off the bill for early payments.

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Missed or late payments will decrease your creditworthiness, making it harder or more expensive to borrow money in the future. You may also owe late fees to vendors when you fail to pay invoices by the due date.

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One way to make sure that your invoices always get paid on time is to use an automated accounts payable platform, which can minimize the chance of bills falling through the cracks. Automating your bill payment can also free up your AP team for more high-value tasks like transitioning clients to digital invoicing or improving processes to more efficiently manage your company’s finances.

Monitor your credit reports

It’s important to regularly check your business credit score for mistakes or signs of fraudulent activity. You can order your business credit reports directly from the three credit report bureaus for a fee.

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If you’re a very early-stage startup, your business credit may be tied to your personal credit, so you'll want to make sure you’re monitoring your personal credit report as well.

Use a corporate card

A corporate card can be a great tool for paying down your vendor accounts and building business credit. These cards make it easy to pay vendors with automated invoicing features. Corporate cards also may allow you to finance invoices on 30, 60, or 90 day terms. That means that you can choose to pay your vendors now, while you pay your corporate card balance later.

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Corporate cards also report to the business credit agencies, so owning one will help you build your score. Unlike regular credit cards, corporate cards have no interest because they require full balance payments each month. Plus, your credit utilization rate on a charge card won't affect your credit score.

Be in control of business spending

Budgeting effectively to keep costs down will reduce the amount of credit your business needs, in turn helping you avoid any debts that could wreck your credit score.

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Two easy ways to reduce unnecessary spending include cutting back on zombie spend (small, forgotten expenses like subscriptions and recurring memberships) and maverick spend (spending that doesn’t follow business and procurement processes).

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You can also take advantage of expense management software to help you track business expenses in real time and receive AI-powered suggestions about where you can cut costs.

Vendor management made simple with Ramp

Ramp's corporate cards come with accounts payable features to automate your invoices so every bill is paid on time. With Ramp's flexible financing, you can pay vendors immediately while choosing 30, 60, or 90-day terms to pay back your card for a small fee.

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Learn more about how Ramp can offer the payment flexibility you need to continue growing your business.