Quote expiry is the date after which a quote is no longer valid, meaning the prices, discounts, and terms it lists no longer apply. Once a quote expires, the buyer can no longer accept it as written, and the seller is under no obligation to honor the old figures. It is a standard control in B2B selling that protects margins and keeps deals moving.
How it works
Every quote carries an issue date and an expiry date, often expressed as a validity window such as “valid for 30 days” or “expires on 31 July 2026.” During that window the buyer can accept and pay at the stated terms. After it passes, the quote is closed and the buyer needs a fresh version to proceed. Common windows run from 7 to 30 days, tightening when input costs move quickly.
Why it matters
Costs shift. Raw materials, freight, and supplier pricing can change between the day you send a quote and the day a buyer decides. An expiry date caps your exposure so you are not held to a price you set months ago. It also creates a gentle deadline that nudges buyers to make a call rather than sit on an open offer indefinitely.
Example
A distributor quotes 500 units at a volume price, valid for 14 days. The buyer comes back on day 20 ready to order. Because the quote expired, the seller reissues it with current pricing, which may be higher or still include the same terms if nothing changed.
On Shopify, quotes built from real draft orders can carry an expiry so pricing stays accurate at checkout. See the B2B quoting glossary for related terms, or the pricing page for plan details.