You can send an invoice directly from the PayPal mobile app by tapping “Request,” then selecting “Send an invoice to get paid.” The entire process takes just a few minutes, and your client receives the invoice by email with a link to pay online. Here’s how to do it step by step, what it costs, and how to track payments afterward.
Steps to Send an Invoice
Open the PayPal app on your phone and follow these steps:
- Tap Request. This is on the main screen, usually near the bottom navigation bar.
- Select “Send an invoice to get paid.” This opens the invoice creation form rather than a simple money request.
- Fill in the details. Enter the recipient’s email address, add a description of the goods or services, set the amount, and include any notes or file attachments.
- Review your invoice. Double-check the line items, total, and recipient information.
- Tap Send. PayPal emails the invoice to your client with a button they can click to pay immediately.
Your client does not need a PayPal account to pay. They can use a credit card, debit card, or other payment method through the invoice link.
Customizing Your Invoice
Before you hit send, PayPal lets you tailor the invoice so it looks professional and includes everything your client needs. You can add your company name, business logo, and brand colors to give the invoice a polished, branded appearance. The form also has fields for taxes, discounts, shipping details, and purchase order numbers.
If you invoice regularly for the same products or services, you can save item details so you don’t have to re-enter descriptions and prices each time. You can also include your contact information and any payment terms or notes, like a due date or late payment policy, in the notes section.
What PayPal Charges for Invoices
Creating and sending invoices is free. PayPal charges a fee only when your client actually pays. The fee depends on how the client chooses to pay:
- PayPal Checkout or Venmo: 3.49% plus a fixed fee (typically $0.49 for U.S. transactions)
- Credit card, debit card, or Apple Pay: 2.99% plus a fixed fee
- Pay Later (installment options): 4.99% plus a fixed fee
- Bank transfer (ACH): 1%, capped at $10 per transaction
On a $500 invoice paid by credit card, for example, you’d pay roughly $15.44 in fees and receive around $484.56. If the client pays via bank transfer, the fee drops to $5.
International payments carry an additional 1.50% on top of the domestic rate. So a $500 invoice paid from abroad by credit card would cost about $22.94 in fees instead of $15.44.
Tracking Invoice Status
Once you send an invoice, PayPal tracks it automatically. Your invoicing dashboard shows every invoice you’ve sent along with its current status, typically marked as “Current” or “Past Due.” You don’t need to maintain a separate spreadsheet or wonder whether a client received the bill.
From the dashboard, a drop-down menu on each invoice gives you several options. You can send a payment reminder to nudge a client who hasn’t paid yet, record a payment manually if the client paid you outside of PayPal (by check, for instance), or view the complete history of that invoice including when it was sent, opened, and paid.
Tips for Getting Paid Faster
Set a clear due date on every invoice. PayPal displays it prominently, and invoices with a specific deadline tend to get paid sooner than ones left open-ended. If the due date passes without payment, use the reminder feature rather than sending a separate email, since the reminder links directly back to the pay button.
Including itemized line items rather than a single lump sum also helps. Clients are less likely to question or delay payment when they can see exactly what each charge covers. Adding your logo and business name builds trust, especially if you’re invoicing someone for the first time.