---
article_id: KB0396584
article_type: FAQ
component_ids:
  - SBN-AN-SE
component_descriptions:
  - SAP Business Network for Procurement & Supply Chain > Supplier Enablement
products:
  - SAP Business Network for Procurement and SAP Business Network for Supply Chain
personas:
  - Admin
  - Supplier
language: en
created: 2026-09-08
updated: 2026-10-05
boost: 8
source: Knowledge Base
url: https://support.ariba.com/item/view/KB0396584
connect_url: https://support.ariba.com/item/view/KB0396584?min=1
sap_for_me_url: https://me.sap.com/notes/KB0396584
---

# How do I accept a customer's trading relationship request/invitation?

## Symptom

How do I accept a customer's trading relationship request/invitation?

## Resolution

A trading relationship invitation begins with an email sent by a buyer and directed to either the SAP Business Network Identification (ANID) number of an existing account or a link to set up a new account. This email is an invitation to connect with a buyer enabling you to start receiving orders and/or submitting invoices on the SAP Business Network.

To accept the trading relationship request:

1. Click the link in the email that says **Get started.**
2. The invitation link then prompts you to either **Use existing account** or **Create new account**. Select the option which best reflects your situation.
   - If you see a message about existing accounts, you can click **Review accounts** to check on any accounts your company may already have enabled and find contact information for the account owners.
   - If you register a new account, be sure to click the activation link in the email sent to you to verify your email address.

To confirm the relationship accepted:

1. Once logged in, click **\[user initials\]** > **Settings** then select **Customer Relationships.**
2. If you still see the relationship listed under **Pending**, check the box to the left of the customer and click **Accept.**
3. If you do not see the relationship under **Pending**, click the drop down menu and select **Approved** to view the approved relationship

If you would like current or future trading relationships to be automatically accepted, ensure that this preference is turned on at the top of the page.  
  
To set your account to manually review all relationships, follow these steps:

1. Click on **Classic View** on the right.
2. From the customer relationships page, click on the **Current Relationships** tab.
3. Select **Manually review all relationship requests** and click the **Update** button.
4. All future relationships will need to be reviewed and will wait in the **Pending** section of your account.

## See Also

If this process was unsuccessful:

- Determine if the email link is outdated or still valid. In case the link has expired, please [contact the buyer](https://support.ariba.com/item/view/KB0392552) and request a new invitation.
- In case it shows 'Invalid Request', you already have a relationship established with this customer.
- Check to make sure all customer-requested surveys and tasks are completed.
- In case you are not the administrator of the account, check with the admin if your user has the **Trading Invitation Account Merge** permission.
- [Contact customer support](https://support.ariba.com/item/view/174605) if your buyer claims that orders have already been sent or for any additional help.

**Supplier Onboarding via Registration Questionnaire:**

| \<\<  <br>[Email Invitation from a Buyer](https://support.ariba.com/item/view/KB1400381) | \<\<  <br>[Responding to a Registration Questionnaire](https://support.ariba.com/item/view/KB1400384) | \<\<  <br>[Request for Proposal (RFP) Process](https://support.ariba.com/item/view/KB1404153) | \<**Current**>  <br>**Establishing a Trading Relationship Process** | >>  <br>[Completing Enablement Tasks](https://support.ariba.com/item/view/KB1400427) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |

## Keywords

trr, trading relationship, trading, relationship, customer relationship,