RIPE NCC Billing Procedure 2025

1. Introduction

The RIPE NCC is a not-for-profit association. The information below forms an integral part of the RIPE NCC Standard Service Agreement and is complementary to the RIPE NCC Charging Scheme 2025.

2. Charging Scheme Model for 2025

The Charging Scheme model is based on the principle that members pay an annual contribution per Local Internet Registry (LIR). An invoice is issued for each LIR account held by a member. New members and members registering additional LIR accounts pay an additional one-off sign-up fee alongside their annual contribution. Additional fees also apply to independent resources, ASN assignments and legacy Internet resources.

The contributions were decided by members at the RIPE NCC General Meeting held on 22 May 2024 (Resolution 3) and are included in the RIPE NCC Charging Scheme 2025.

* Additional Fees Overview

** The service fee for Legacy Internet Resource Holders that engage in a direct agreement with the RIPE NCC is identical to the service fee per LIR account for this year. There is no sign-up fee for Legacy Internet Resource Holders that conclude a separate direct agreement with the RIPE NCC. There is no sign-up fee for Legacy Internet Resource Holders who become members and do not request any additional Internet number resources from the RIPE NCC.

If a Legacy Internet Resource Holder requests additional Internet number resources or wants to transfer non-legacy resources or to sponsor end-user resources after becoming a member, a sign-up fee of EUR 1,000 will be charged in a way identical to that in which the membership sign-up fee is charged.

2.2 Redistribution of excess contribution 2024 (Standard Service Agreement, article 7.3)

During the October 2024 RIPE NCC General Meeting, members approved the redistribution of the excess contribution/deficit paid in the financial year 2024 in the following way (resolution 1):

- In case there is an excess contribution, this will be redistributed to the membership in 2025 according to the RIPE NCC Clearing House procedure.

- In case of a deficit, this will be covered by the RIPE NCC reserves.

The redistribution per LIR account will appear on the 2025 invoice when applicable.

Only members with active LIR account(s) on 31 December 2024 will receive a redistribution – no redistribution will apply for LIR accounts closed in 2024.

The amount of the redistribution applied to each LIR account is based on the annual contribution paid in 2024. Sign-up fees and/or re-activation fees are excluded from the calculation.

The redistribution formula is:

2.3 Fees for transferring resources

Members must pay the annual contribution for all of their LIR accounts before they can transfer resources. Only once the annual contribution for every LIR account has been paid can a transfer take place.

2.4 Fees when closing LIR accounts

If a member chooses to close one or more of their LIR accounts between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025, the 2025 contribution for all LIR accounts held by the member must still be paid in full, unless a valid closure request has been submitted before 31 December 2024. If the contribution has already been paid in full, no pro rata refunds will apply.

2.5 Fees to reactivate the RIPE NCC Standard Service Agreement for existing members

In accordance with Article 9.6 of the Standard Service Agreement, a terminated Standard Service Agreement may be re-activated subject to prior written authorisation by the RIPE NCC, payment of a €1,000 sign-up fee, and payment of all outstanding invoices for all of the LIR accounts held by the member.

3. Billing Procedure for 2025

For new members joining in the course of the year, the annual contribution will be applied pro rata for each quarter based on the time of the year the Standard Service Agreement has been signed.

Existing members will be invoiced for the full year for each LIR account that they hold on 1 January 2025. The invoice will include the annual service fee and the fees for independent resources, ASN assignments and legacy Internet resources as held on 31 December 2024.***

For the Russian and Ukrainian members, the Act of Acceptance will be available on the LIR Portal before 31 December 2025 in line with standard market practice. This document confirms fulfillment of obligations contained in the RIPE NCC Standard Service Agreement and is needed by Ukrainian and Russian members for substantiation that the services have been rendered.

Russian members should also refer to the following information regarding invoicing in their country.

The RIPE NCC operates in line with the Tax Governance Paper which describes how we cope and comply with domestic and international fiscal rules and regulations.

*** If a member terminates their Sponsoring LIR Agreement for an ASN or independent Internet number resource assignment prior to 31 December, only to then sign a new Sponsoring LIR Agreement for the same resource after 1 January 2025, then the RIPE NCC will treat it as if the agreement had remained in place for this period. The full fee for any corresponding assignments will remain due and payable as per the RIPE NCC Charging Scheme 2025.

3.1 Date that members will receive invoices

We are planning to send the invoices during the first quarter of 2025 via our automated system.

Please note that if you are invoiced before the date of the annual invoices (due to a change in business structure or a transfer), the 2024 redistribution will not appear on the invoice. In this case, a separate invoice will be sent to you with the redistribution amount.

3.2 Billing details

Members are responsible for providing and maintaining correct billing contacts. This information is essential to ensure you can receive your invoice and avoid any extra costs.

• Invoices are sent by email in PDF format. On the Billing Details page, RIPE NCC members can also choose to download a copy of the original invoice(s).
• Invoices are sent via email to members’ billing contacts – billing contact details can be updated on the Billing Details page.
• Members are responsible for providing and maintaining correct billing contacts.

3.3 How to pay your invoice

You can pay your invoices by using one of these two options:

1. Direct bank transfer: please include the LIR number and invoice number as reference. Without this reference we might not be able to allocate your payment properly.
2. Online payment: all invoices sent by the RIPE NCC by email (in PDF format) include a unique payment URL. This leads to a payment screen where you can complete your transaction by selecting your payment method. The different payment options available are listed below – please note that the payment options may vary by country.
   1. Bank transfer: You can pay your invoice via bank transfer. Please include the LIR number and invoice number as reference.
   2. Credit and debit cards: select the credit/debit card option to complete your payment.
   3. PayPal
   4. Locally available online bank transfer possibilities

The following prerequisites are to be considered when you pay the invoice:

• We do not accept cheques
• Your payment obligation is in EUR and any exchange difference will remain payable or receivable
• Your payment obligation applies to all LIR accounts held by a member
• Our preference is that the invoice is paid with one transaction

3.4 Payment Time Frame

Invoices need to be paid within 30 days after the invoice date.

• Please take into consideration the time required for international bank transfers
• Please ensure correct payment reference to ensure the RIPE NCC can allocate the funds correctly
• Your full payment obligation for all LIR accounts is fulfilled before the due date of the invoice

If payment is not received within 30 days from the date of invoice, section 1.2.2.e (Non-payment) of the Closure of Members, Deregistration of Internet Resources and Legacy Internet Resources Closure of Members procedure will apply. In case of non-payment, the RIPE NCC Billing Department will send out reminders on pre-scheduled times.

Please note that no new or ongoing requests will be processed if payment is not received within 60 days from the date of invoice.

More information is available in the Closure of Members, Deregistration of Internet Resources and Legacy Internet Resources (section 1.2.2.e non-payment) procedure.

New LIR accounts will only become active after we have received the signed Standard Service Agreement and the payment of the invoice.

3.5 Check Payment Status

You can view the details of your LIR accounts and the payment status of your invoices on the Billing Details page. In addition, by accessing the unique secure payment link on each invoice, you can verify whether your payment has been received.

4. Contact us

If you have any questions about your invoice or payments, or if you experience trouble using the online payment system, please contact the RIPE NCC Billing Department.