Special Handling Reminders
Special handling is an exception to IU’s standard payment processes and its use should be limited. Special handling interrupts the normal payment process causing a check to be printed and held for pickup. The department contact is responsible for picking up and delivering the check to the supplier.
When requesting special handling, be sure to select your campus in the Check Special Handling Campus field. This directs where the check will be printed and held for pickup.
The table below describes when special handling should and should not be requested.
| Situation | Should I request Special Handling? | What should I do instead? |
| I need to send payment to a different address than what is in the BUY.IU profile. | No. | Request the supplier update their address on their BUY.IU profile. If the supplier can’t update their information, submit a supplier edit request form to update the information on their behalf. |
| This payment was supposed to be pre-paid. I need this check right away. | No. | Follow the deposit/pre-payment procedure. |
| The supplier really wants this payment faster. | No. | Only if there is a legitimate business need. IU’s standard payment terms are 30 days. If there is an urgent business need for payment to be expedited, leave a comment on the SI document, include askap@iu.edu as an email recipient, and describe the business need. |
| Payment must be given directly to the supplier by the IU department. | Yes. Follow the steps in SOP-PURCH-16: Special Payment Instructions. |
Review this AP Tips & Tricks article to learn how to request special handling.
What are "Net 30" Payment Terms?
Payment terms define the number of days before a payment is considered due. In the case of Net 30, this means an invoice payment is due to the supplier 30 days after the invoice date. The invoice date is defined by the supplier on their invoice and should be the day that an order was fulfilled or a service was completed.
Payment terms are defined in the supplier’s BUY.IU profile. While there are certain exceptions, IU’s standard payment terms are “Net 30”. If you work with suppliers, please note that the majority will be paid according to these terms.
How can you tell when a payment will be made? For purchase order (PO) payments, look at the Due Date on the BUY.IU SI invoice document. Payment will be generated several days before the date listed to help ensure the supplier receives it by the due date.
Remember: check request payments are generated the business day after the SI document reaches Complete status. These payments are not driven by the due date.
