Answer Book question

My customer has not paid for 45 days. What can I do?

If you are a registered MSME and the buyer accepted the goods or services, the MSMED Act requires payment within the agreed period, not exceeding 45 days; after that, interest accrues at a penal rate and you can file on the MSME Samadhaan portal. Before filing: send a written reminder citing the Act, because many buyers pay on seeing it.

By Kerala Rising · ·

Short answer

If you are a registered MSME and the buyer accepted the goods or services, the MSMED Act requires payment within the agreed period, not exceeding 45 days; after that, interest accrues at a penal rate and you can file on the MSME Samadhaan portal. Before filing: send a written reminder citing the Act, because many buyers pay on seeing it.

Real life

A printing unit's ₹3.2 lakh invoice is 70 days old. A letter citing the MSMED Act and the Samadhaan route is sent. Payment arrives in nine days.

What this means

The law gives MSMEs a statutory payment period, statutory interest on delay, and a facilitation council route. Buyers also face tax disallowance consequences for delayed MSME payments, which strengthens your hand.

What to check

Udyam registration Invoice and acceptance evidence Agreed payment terms in writing Days since acceptance Written reminder sent

What people often miss

Not having Udyam, which removes the protection.

The Kerala / NRI angle

Kerala Rising can draft the reminder letter.

An example

70 days → letter → paid.

When this may not be the right answer

If the goods were rejected or disputed in writing, the clock and the remedy are different.

What to do next

Confirm Udyam Send the written reminder File on Samadhaan if unpaid

Related questions

Does an overdue MSME invoice earn interest? What is MSME Samadhaan? My customer is much bigger than me. Can I really file against them?

Related Kerala Rising help

Start or grow a business

Sources and what to verify

RBI directions on MSE collateral-free lending · CGTMSE scheme guidelines · MSMED Act 2006 delayed-payment provisions · MSME Samadhaan portal · Udyam registration portal · Kerala Industries Department scheme documents (verify current terms) Rates, limits and whether you may qualify change. Confirm with the official source. Ask Kerala Rising: Send us the quotation before you pay the advance. Or send us the bank's letter before you sign the mortgage. We will tell you what questions to ask. WhatsApp +1 443 595 9000 · keralarising.com Kerala Rising › Business › Finance · Business 26

Before you act

This page is general orientation, not personal insurance, investment, medical, legal, lending, tax, or professional advice. Rules, rates, benefits, and claim or application decisions can change. Confirm the current position with the named official source and use a licensed or qualified professional where your situation requires one. Kerala Rising does not decide whether you may qualify, approve claims, or promise an outcome.