Shopify handles checkout and payment processing for standard consumer orders, but there’s a large category of transactions that Shopify’s native tools don’t invoice well: B2B sales to business clients, wholesale orders, custom product requests, service add-ons, and recurring subscription billing that falls outside Shopify’s subscription apps.
For these situations, you need a proper invoice for Shopify store transactions — a professional document that includes your business details, the client’s billing information, line items with product/service descriptions, tax calculations, and payment terms.
When Shopify Store Owners Need Separate Invoicing
- B2B and wholesale orders: Business customers expect formal invoices with their company details, PO numbers, and Net 30 payment terms — not a consumer checkout receipt.
- Custom product orders: One-off custom products that aren’t in your standard catalog need individual quotes and invoices with specific descriptions.
- Service add-ons: If you offer installation, customization, consulting, or design services alongside physical products, these services need their own invoicing.
- International wholesale: Wholesale shipments to international retailers require invoices in the buyer’s currency with proper multi-currency support and tax handling.
- Recurring B2B supply orders: Regular wholesale clients who order monthly need recurring invoices that generate automatically.
- Draft orders and manual orders: Shopify’s draft order feature is basic. For complex orders with multiple line items, deposits, and custom terms, external invoicing is better.
How to Structure Shopify B2B Invoices
A B2B invoice for your Shopify store should include:
Header
- Your business name, Shopify store URL, and contact information
- Client’s company name, billing contact, and purchase order (PO) number
- Invoice number, date, and due date
- Order reference (link to Shopify order if applicable)
Line Items
Each product or service as a separate line item:
| Product / Service | Qty | SKU | Unit Price | Amount |
| Custom Leather Tote Bag — Large | 50 | CLT-LG-BLK | $42.00 | $2,100.00 |
| Custom Leather Wallet — Bifold | 100 | CLW-BF-BRN | $18.00 | $1,800.00 |
| Logo Embossing (per unit) | 150 | SVC-EMB | $3.50 | $525.00 |
| Shipping — Freight to Warehouse | 1 | SHP-FRT | $285.00 | $285.00 |
| Less: Wholesale Discount (15%) | -$705.75 |
Totals & Payment
- Subtotal, wholesale discount, applicable taxes, and total due
- Payment terms (typically Net 30 for B2B)
- Payment methods: Stripe link, wire transfer, or ACH
Shopify Invoicing Tools vs. External Invoicing
Shopify offers some built-in invoicing capabilities, but they have limitations:
- Shopify Order Printer: Generates basic invoices from orders, but limited customization, no payment links, and no automatic reminders.
- Shopify B2B features (Plus plan): Company profiles, payment terms, and wholesale pricing. Available only on Shopify Plus ($2,300/month) — overkill for most stores.
- Third-party Shopify apps: Apps like Sufio and Order Printer Pro add better invoicing, but still limited compared to dedicated tools.
For most Shopify store owners handling B2B or wholesale, an external invoicing tool like DevInvoice provides more flexibility: custom branding, Stripe payment links, multi-currency, recurring invoices, and professional PDF exports — all without requiring Shopify Plus.
7 Invoicing Tips for Shopify Store Owners
- Include SKUs on your invoice. B2B clients use SKUs for inventory management. Match your invoice line items to your Shopify product SKUs.
- Show wholesale pricing clearly. List the retail price, wholesale discount percentage, and net wholesale price for each item. Transparency builds trust with wholesale partners.
- Separate shipping from product costs. Shipping is a pass-through cost that B2B clients expect to see as a distinct line item.
- Include a PO number field. Business clients use purchase order numbers for internal tracking. Always include the PO number on the invoice when provided.
- Set up Net 30 for wholesale clients. This is the standard for B2B transactions. See our payment terms guide for implementation details.
- Use recurring invoices for regular wholesale orders. If a retailer orders the same products monthly, automate the invoicing.
- Handle returns and credits properly. Issue a credit note referencing the original invoice when processing B2B returns. Never modify the original invoice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Shopify create invoices automatically?
Shopify creates basic order confirmations and receipts, but these are not formal invoices. They lack customizable payment terms, PO number fields, and professional formatting. For B2B and wholesale, you need a dedicated invoicing tool.
Can I use DevInvoice alongside Shopify?
Yes. Use Shopify for standard consumer checkout and DevInvoice for B2B orders, wholesale invoicing, custom product quotes, and service billing. The two systems complement each other.
How do I handle tax on wholesale invoices?
In many jurisdictions, wholesale sales to resellers are tax-exempt (the retailer collects sales tax from the end consumer). Require a resale certificate from wholesale clients and note the tax exemption on the invoice. Consult your accountant for your specific jurisdiction.
What payment terms are standard for Shopify B2B?
Net 30 is the most common for established wholesale relationships. For new wholesale clients, consider Net 15 or require prepayment for the first 2–3 orders until trust is established.
