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Commerce marketingReviewed September 7, 2026

What is Backorder?

A backorder is an accepted order for an item that is not currently available and is expected to be fulfilled after inventory arrives.

Who this applies to#

  • Use backorder only when the store accepts the order despite unavailable stock and has a fulfilment expectation

What Backorder requires#

  • Set an honest availability message and a reasonable expected fulfilment window
Shopify

Shopify can continue selling tracked products when inventory is at zero or below, but OnVoard does not manage backorders

What this does not require#

  • Backorder does not mean the product is a new release sold before launch

Common mistakes#

  1. Calling every unavailable product a backorder
  2. Taking payment without a clear fulfilment expectation

Backorder checklist#

  • Confirm incoming stock
  • State expected timing
  • Track affected orders
  • Update customers if timing changes

Commonly confused with#

Official sources#