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updatedAt: 2026-01-08T15:50:10.000Z
agentTools:
projectIndex: https://support.zoey.com/llms.txt
---
# Product Backorders
Backorders can be [enabled globally,](https://support.zoey.com/docs/allowing-backorders) or allowed for specific products through their configuration.
Enabling Backorder on a product will allow your customers to purchase this product when it's out of stock. Open the product and go to **Inventory & Shipping**.
> 📘 [Backordered products can be split into their own backorder.](https://support.zoey.com/docs/split-products-into-different-orders-split-orders#split-backorder-items)
>
> If all the items on an Order are being backordered, a custom *New* status can be set automatically through Orders > Settings > Create Orders > [Backorder Order Status](https://support.zoey.com/docs/back-order#backorder-order-status).
## Backorder Product Settings
To allow an individual product to be backordered, you must first expand the Backorder setting by clicking: **Configure Allow Customers to Purchase This Product when It's Out of Stock**
This will give you a drop down with the following options:
* Yes - tell customers this product is on back-order
* Yes - do not tell customers this product is on back-order
* No - do not let this product be purchased when out of stock
*What is the Default Link?*\
The default link will let you reset this value to whatever is defined in your Global Product Settings.
### Backorder Limit
A limit can be sent to prevent backorders once the product has reached its negative threshold.
Click **Configure Backorder Limit** and set the **Qty for Backorders to no longer be accepted.**. As soon as the product is that far backordered, it will appear Out of Stock.
***
## Global Setting
Instead of setting this value on each individual product, you can specify a "Global Setting".
Navigate to: **Products>Settings: Inventory Settings - Backorders**
Here you will see the same options as above. Setting the option here will set it for all products in your catalog (unless otherwise specified individually).
***
## Troubleshooting: Out of Stock Products do not show back order enabled
If your products are set to allow backorder but they show out of stock on the front-end, this may be because the value for database field "is\_in\_stock" is set to "0" (false) or use\_config\_manage\_stock is set to 1.
The reason this field would be set to zero is because if the quantity for a product reaches 0 while the backorder functionality is not enabled, the field will not properly be kept at the value of "1" (true).
To resolve this you need to import a CSV file with the three columns listed in the table below
| Column | Value |
| :------------------------- | :-------------- |
| sku | The product SKU |
| is\_in\_stock | 1 |
| use\_config\_manage\_stock | 0 |
When your file is ready, you can go to Products and click **Import.**
* Select your file
* Import Type: Append Complex Data
Then run the import. This will iterate over every row in your CSV file and set the value of is\_in\_stock to 1 thereby resolving the issue.Make sure to [reindex & refresh your store](https://support.zoey.com/docs/reindex-and-refresh-your-store) after the import
***
## Backordered Quantity on Order PDFs
In **Orders > PDF Settings > Invoice & Order Settings** scroll down to Item Attributes to Show. Here you may add an attribute for Qty Backordered. You may also choose to rename Qty to Qty Ordered.
### Backorder Message on Order Pick Lists
Set a Backorder Message on the Picklists in **Orders > PDF Settings > Pick List > Backorder Message**
This setting allows for templating for the Pick List to print \[orderItemQtyBackordered] of the items you ordered are on backorder, and we only have \[cataloginventoryItemQty] available right now, or whatever you prefer your message to be.
To show the message **`3 in stock, 2 backordered`** for example, you would need to enter "\[cataloginventoryItemQty] in stock, \[orderItemQtyBackordered] backordered"
> 📘 In Products >Settings > Backorders must be set to Allow Qty Below 0
### Do Not Charge Backorder
In **Orders > Settings > Create Orders > Do Not Charge Backorder**, when set to Yes, Orders containing all backordered items will not be charged. The Payment method option will be `Invoice Later`. This setting controls the Admin Order Create and the Storefront Checkout.
## Backorder Order Status
If every item is being backordered, a special status can be set on the Order.
In **Orders > Settings > Create Orders** you'll find where to set the **Backorder Order Status**.
Backorder Order Status will let you pick a status from the *New* state to be set when all items are backordered.
[Click here](https://support.zoey.com/docs/custom-order-statuses) to learn more about custom Order States/Statuses and how to create a new one.