If you want to work on building business credit, start by opening a vendor account that reports to credit bureaus. One of the best starter vendors to help your small business with that is Uline, a company that sells shipping supplies. 

In this article, we’ll help business owners like you understand what Uline business credit looks like, who Uline reports to, and how you can get your own business credit with the vendor.

What Is Uline Business Credit?

Business credit accounts like Uline are a bit like business credit cards in that you can make purchases now and pay the vendor later. But rather than having a physical plastic card, you get store credit with one particular vendor.

In the case of Uline trade credit, you can open a net 30 account, which means you have 30 days to pay your invoice after making an office supply purchase.

Why do it? In addition to building your business credit, you’ll also keep your business cash flow more steady, giving you more cash on hand when you need it, even if you need to stock up on supplies.

Is a Uline Business Account a Tradeline?

Yes, Uline is a business tradeline account. A business tradeline is an account that reports your payments to one or more major business credit bureaus:

• Experian
• Equifax
• Dun & Bradstreet

Tradlines may extend you a line of credit or vendor credit, or it may help with business credit building simply by reporting your monthly payments. They often extend payment terms so you don’t have to pay it all upfront — for example, a Uline net-30 account gives you 30 days to pay your bill. Some lenders for small business loans also report payments to business credit bureaus. Be sure to read the credit terms to make sure you understand them.

Having a positive account like Uline business credit is one of the fastest ways to build business credit history and business credit scores. These credit bureaus use your credit history to create business credit scores, much like how your personal credit scores are created.

How Do I Register and Open an Online Account with Uline?

The process to establish a business credit line with Uline is fairly simple.

The vendor application asks for both bank and trade references, which help the vendor understand how responsible you are in paying your debts and managing your business finances.

You’ll also be asked your D-U-N-S® Number (that’s your Data Universal Numbering System), if you have one. If you don’t have one, it’s okay.

You won’t need to provide your Social Security number or business bank account information. Once approved for your account, you can select net 30 terms as your payment method at checkout when making an industrial supply order. You may also be notified of your Uline credit limit.

How Can I Get a Uline Credit Application Form?

You can download the credit account application on Uline’s website. If you have questions through the process, you can call their customer service at 800-295-5510.

What Types of Payment Does Uline Accept?

In addition to Uline business credit, the vendor also accepts a variety of debit and credit cards, including:

• Visa
• MasterCard
• Discover Card
• American Express
• GSA SmartPay
• Diner’s Club

Uline also accepts personal or corporate checks, money orders, cashiers checks, electronic funds transfers (EFT), or wire transfers.

What Credit Bureaus Does Uline Business Account Report to? 

The purpose of opening trade accounts for your business is to have your on-time payments be reported to business credit bureaus. The same works for your consumer credit: pay your mortgage, car loans, and credit cards on time, and your personal credit score will rise.

But not every vendor reports to all the business credit reporting agencies. In Uline’s case, your business credit activity is reported to business credit bureaus like Experian. Your activity will be included in your business credit report for each business credit bureau, and will contributor to your business credit score. Over time, you will build your credit history and score, which will open you up to more credit opportunities at better rates.

Uline Business Account Alternatives

If you don’t need Uline’s products for your business, you have two great options: First, check out this comprehensive list of other net-30 accounts you can apply for. Grainger and Quill are two popular alternatives.

Then, become a Nav Prime member. Nav Prime provides two tradelines built into your membership — one with your monthly payment and another with regular use of the Nav Prime Card*. That way, you’ll earn credit for what you’re already spending for your business, rather than having to add on a tradeline for items you may not even need. And Nav never reports late payments.

Nav’s Verdict: Uline Business Credit

As a business owner, you have to think about the future of your company. Part of that for your small business is learning how to establish business credit so that you open doors to future business loans for small businesses if you need them.

Start by establishing vendor credit with companies you need supplies from, like Uline or Nav, then be responsible in paying your balances in full and on time.

FAQs

• What is a tradeline?

  A business tradeline refers to a record of a company’s credit and payment history, typically reported by creditors to credit reporting agencies. It serves as a key factor in assessing a business’s creditworthiness and financial stability.

• Can having a Uline account help me build business credit?

  Yes. A Uline account can help build up your business credit history by reporting your on-time payments to the major business credit bureaus. 

• Is Uline a net-30?

  Yes, Uline is a net-30 account. This means it’s a payment arrangement where a buyer is required to settle the invoice within 30 days of the invoice date.

*Nav Technologies, Inc. is a financial technology company and not a bank. Banking services provided by Thread Bank, Member FDIC. The Nav Visa® Business Debit Card and the Nav Prime Charge Card are issued by Thread Bank pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa cards are accepted. See Cardholder Terms for additional details. FDIC insurance is available for funds on deposit through Thread Bank, Member FDIC. All other features of the Nav Prime membership are not associated with Thread Bank.