Subscriptions: Policy + How They WorkUpdated 2 months ago

Overview & Scope

This article explains what subscriptions are, how they function, and why they behave the way they do. It defines subscription system behavior, rules, and boundaries, including how subscriptions relate to billing and orders.

This article is the primary source of truth for subscription behavior and policy described here across products that offer subscriptions.

This article applies to:

Subscription creation and renewal
Cadence and renewal logic
Billing and charges
How subscription changes are applied
The relationship between subscriptions and orders
Subscription lifecycle events and their effects

This article does not provide instructions for managing subscriptions. Instructions for how customers take action on subscriptions are documented separately.

Subscription Fundamentals

A subscription is a recurring purchase arrangement tied to one or more product SKU(s).

Subscriptions have the following characteristics:

A subscription is associated with a customer account.
A subscription may include one or multiple products.
A customer may have multiple active subscriptions at the same time.
Each subscription follows a defined renewal cadence.
Subscriptions exist independently of orders.

Subscriptions generate orders over time. Changes made to a subscription do not automatically apply to past or existing orders unless explicitly stated.

Cadence & Renewal Logic

Each subscription renews on a recurring schedule, referred to as a cadence.

Cadences are system-defined. A subscription’s cadence begins when the subscription is created and determines the timing of future renewals. Cadences may include recurring intervals such as every 15, 30, 60, or 90 days, depending on the product.

Renewal behavior follows these rules:

Renewal dates are calculated based on the original subscription start date.
Each renewal represents a scheduled subscription event.
Customers may receive reminder communication before an upcoming renewal, where applicable.
A renewal represents the point at which billing and order creation occur.
A renewal does not guarantee immediate fulfillment. Fulfillment occurs separately from billing and renewal.

Subscription Change Timing & Limits

Changes made to a subscription are saved at the subscription level immediately, but they apply only to future renewals.

A subscription renewal represents the point at which billing and order creation occur. Changes apply to a renewal only if that renewal has not yet occurred.

If a renewal has already occurred and an order has been created:

Subscription changes do not apply to that order.
Changes take effect at the next scheduled renewal.

Subscription changes do not apply retroactively to past renewals or existing orders. Orders created from subscriptions are governed independently and follow standard order eligibility and lifecycle rules.

This section is the authoritative definition of how subscription changes are applied.

Billing & Charges

Subscriptions renew on a recurring cadence. Each renewal results in a charge.

Billing follows these rules:

Charges are triggered by subscription renewal events.
Charges occur automatically based on the subscription’s cadence.
Charges are associated with the customer account tied to the subscription.
A successful charge results in the creation of a subscription-related order.
Billing is independent from fulfillment. A charge does not guarantee that an order has been fulfilled or shipped.

Subscription Orders

When a subscription renews, it generates an order.

Subscription orders have the following characteristics:

Each renewal creates a new order associated with the subscription.
Orders generated from subscriptions are distinct from the subscription itself.
Orders persist independently of future subscription changes.

Once an order is created, it is managed as an order rather than as part of the subscription. Subscription actions do not override order policies or modify existing orders.

Subscription orders follow the same order lifecycle and eligibility rules defined in Orders: States + Eligibility, which governs all orders.

Relationship Between Subscriptions & Orders

Subscriptions and orders are managed as separate entities.

Subscriptions control future renewals and billing behavior.
Orders represent individual transactions created at the time of renewal.

Actions taken on a subscription:

Affect future renewals only.
Do not modify orders that have already been created.

Actions taken on an order:

Apply only to that specific order.
Do not change the underlying subscription.

Subscription Lifecycle Events

Subscriptions support several lifecycle events that affect future subscription behavior. These events do not retroactively change orders that have already been created.

Skipping a Subscription

Skipping a subscription bypasses the next scheduled renewal without canceling the subscription.

Skipping does not change the underlying cadence.
After the skipped renewal, the subscription continues on its existing schedule.
Skipping does not affect orders that have already been created.

Pausing a Subscription

Pausing a subscription temporarily stops future renewals.

While a subscription is paused:

No renewal events occur.
No new charges are created.
No new subscription orders are generated.

Pausing does not cancel the subscription. The underlying cadence is retained and can be resumed later. Pausing does not affect orders created before the pause.

Reactivating a Subscription

Reactivating a subscription resumes future renewals based on the existing cadence. Reactivation does not retroactively create missed renewals or modify past orders.

Canceling a Subscription

Canceling a subscription permanently stops future renewals.

No future charges are created.
No future subscription orders are generated.

Canceling a subscription does not cancel, modify, or refund any orders that have already been created.

Refunds & Returns

Refunds and returns are governed by a separate policy.

Subscription status alone does not determine refund eligibility. Canceling, pausing, skipping, or reactivating a subscription does not automatically result in a refund for any order.

This article does not define refund eligibility. Refer to the Refund + Returns Policy for details.

Orders: States + Eligibility
Refund + Returns Policy

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