Credit sales and risk

Customer credit check before invoice

When you sell on invoice, you are giving the customer a short-term loan. A credit check gives you the basis to set appropriate terms — and avoid lost claims.

What invoice sales actually entail in terms of risk

What to check on a new customer

When a quick check is enough — and when you need a full report

Check customer Order credit report

Quick

Full

First credit status

Simple risk profile

Credit score

Full financial analysis

Detailed payment history

PDF format

A full credit report is recommended for assessments involving larger credit amounts.

What to look for

Key signals in a credit check

Payment remarks

Active payment remarks are a clear signal that the customer has had difficulties meeting their obligations. This should be weighed when deciding whether to extend credit terms.

Credit score and risk assessment

A low credit score or high risk profile does not necessarily mean you should decline — but it gives you a fact-based basis for setting appropriate terms.

Solvency and liquidity

Is the company financially stable? Key figures for solvency and liquidity give you an impression of whether the customer has capacity to pay within the deadline.

Company age and history

Newly established companies have a shorter payment history. This does not necessarily mean high risk, but it is wise to be more cautious with large credit amounts for new businesses.

When to require upfront payment

When should you require upfront payment?

There are situations where it is wise to deviate from standard invoice terms. A credit check helps you identify these cases early.

Check customer See pricing

Active payment remarks

A clear signal of payment problems. Consider stricter terms or upfront payment.

Weak credit score

A low score does not necessarily mean rejection, but should influence the terms you offer.

New company without history

Without a payment history, risk is harder to assess. Shorter credit terms or partial payment may be wise.

High exposure

Consider upfront payment when the invoice amount is high relative to the company's solvency.

Practical B2B examples

How credit checks are used in practice

Here are typical situations where Norwegian B2B companies use credit checks before offering invoice terms.

Construction

Situation: A subcontractor is starting a large project for an unknown client.

Action: Checks credit score and payment remarks. Finds a low score — requires 30% upfront payment.

Wholesale and distribution

Situation: A new customer wants goods on invoice with 60-day payment terms.

Action: Credit check reveals no remarks and strong solvency — invoice issued without requiring security.

IT and consulting

Situation: A newly started company wants consulting on an hourly basis.

Action: No payment history available — shorter payment terms (14 days) and monthly invoicing are agreed.

Transport and logistics

Situation: An existing customer has received a payment remark since the last contract.

Action: Monitoring alert caught the change. Terms tightened to upfront payment for the next assignment.

Production and supply chain

Situation: A supplier is entering a framework agreement with long lead time and large order value.

Action: Full credit report is ordered to document the customer's solvency as part of the contract process.

Business credit check New customer credit check Credit report Prices and products Contact us

Questions and answers

Frequently asked questions

Invoice sales are in principle a short-term loan you give the customer. If the customer does not pay, you bear the risk for the outstanding amount. The risk depends on the customer's payment capacity, history and financial situation.

A credit check is wise to do before offering credit terms to a new customer — especially for large amounts, unknown companies or companies with an unknown payment history.

A free check gives you a first indication. A full credit report provides a complete credit score, financial analysis and payment history in a formal PDF format that can be used in the decision-making process.

Consider upfront payment when the customer has active payment remarks, a weak credit score, is a newly established company without history, or when the amount is large and the risk seems unclear.

Yes. Kredittdata offers credit checks and credit reports on all Norwegian limited companies and registered entities. Contact us for more information about what best suits your needs.

Send us a message and we'll get back to you.