DS SMITH LIMITED consistently demonstrates longer payment cycles, with an average payment time of 61 days. A notable 41% of payments extend beyond 60 days, indicating a prevailing trend towards slower disbursements rather than prompt settlement. This trajectory suggests suppliers should anticipate payments taking over two months on average.
The payment profile of DS SMITH LIMITED shows moderate volatility, evidenced by a wide spread from 34% paid within 30 days to 41% extending beyond 60 days. This unpredictability in payment timing, coupled with a 17% rate of strictly late payments, presents a notable cash flow risk. Suppliers should be aware that prompt payment is not guaranteed and delays are common.
Suppliers should approach DS SMITH LIMITED with awareness of their tendency for extended payment cycles, with an average of 61 days and 41% of payments exceeding two months. It is advisable to build significant buffers into cash flow forecasting and consider negotiating clear payment terms or requiring partial upfront payments. Mitigating risk involves careful contract structuring and proactive invoice management to account for potential delays.
| Reporting Period | Filing Date | Average Time to Pay (days) | Paid within 30 days | Paid 31-60 days | Paid after 60 days | Not Paid within Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Nov 2024 - 30 Apr 2025 | 29 May 2025 | 61 | 34% | 25% | 41% | 17% |
| 01 May 2024 - 31 Oct 2024 | 29 Nov 2024 | 57 | 33% | 25% | 41% | 18% |
| 01 Nov 2023 - 30 Apr 2024 | 29 May 2024 | 72 | 20% | 27% | 53% | 23% |
| 01 May 2023 - 31 Oct 2023 | 28 Nov 2023 | 69 | 22% | 27% | 51% | 19% |
| 01 Nov 2022 - 30 Apr 2023 | 26 May 2023 | 66 | 36% | 26% | 38% | 20% |
| 01 May 2022 - 31 Oct 2022 | 30 Nov 2022 | 64 | 21% | 31% | 48% | 23% |
| 01 Nov 2021 - 30 Apr 2022 | 30 May 2022 | 67 | 22% | 31% | 47% | 23% |
| 01 May 2021 - 31 Oct 2021 | 26 Nov 2021 | 72 | 25% | 25% | 50% | 22% |
| 01 Nov 2020 - 30 Apr 2021 | 28 May 2021 | 72 | 28% | 25% | 46% | 23% |
| 01 May 2020 - 31 Oct 2020 | 27 Nov 2020 | 70 | 29% | 26% | 45% | 23% |
| 01 Nov 2019 - 30 Apr 2020 | 29 May 2020 | 88 | 18% | 21% | 61% | 36% |
| 01 May 2019 - 31 Oct 2019 | 28 Nov 2019 | 91 | 20% | 23% | 57% | 26% |
| 01 Nov 2018 - 30 Apr 2019 | 30 May 2019 | 80 | 18% | 29% | 53% | 46% |
| 01 May 2018 - 31 Oct 2018 | 28 Nov 2018 | 71 | 24% | 29% | 47% | 50% |
| 01 Nov 2017 - 30 Apr 2018 | 31 May 2018 | 78 | 19% | 29% | 52% | 53% |
| 01 May 2017 - 31 Oct 2017 | 30 Nov 2017 | 103 | 27% | 31% | 42% | 21% |
This information is as reported by the business, and responses are in their own words.
Standard payment terms
90 days
Were there any changes to the standard payment terms in the reporting period?
No information available
Any other information about payment terms
No additional information
Maximum contractual payment period agreed
120
Complaints or concerns should be raised in the first instance with the Accounts Payable team, for which all suppliers have contact details. The Accounts Payable team will escalate where applicable to the Accounts Payable team leader, and the Group legal team.
Has this business signed up to a code of conduct or standards on payment practices?
For example, signatories to The Prompt Payment Code must commit to paying 95% of their invoices within 60 days.
❌
Does this business offer e-invoicing in relation to qualifying contracts?
This is where suppliers can electronically submit and track invoices. It's not just allowing suppliers to email them an invoice.
❌
Does this business offer supply chain finance?
This is where a supplier who has submitted an invoice can be paid by a third-party finance provider earlier than the agreed payment date. The business would then pay the finance provider the invoiced sum.
❌
Under its payment practices and policies, can this business deduct sums from payments under qualifying contracts as a charge for remaining on a supplier list?
❌
During the reporting period, did the business deduct sums from payments as a charge for remaining on a supplier list?
No information available
DS SMITH LIMITED is an active private limited company.
The company holds the official company number 01377658 and was incorporated on 7 July 1978. Its registered office is situated at Level 3 1 Paddington Square, London, United Kingdom, W2 1DL.
As a private limited company in the UK market, organisations of this type are established to conduct various commercial activities. This corporate structure allows for the provision of a diverse range of goods or services to consumers or other businesses.