Provided that there is a sufficient amount in the deposit account, the date of receipt of the debit order by the EPO will be considered as the date on which the payment is made. This is also applicable where a debit order is filed together with an application under point 6.9 ADA with a competent national authority of a Contracting State. If the debit order is not received at the EPO until after expiry of the period allowed for payment of fees due on filing, that period is deemed to have been observed if evidence is available or presented to the EPO to show that the debit order was filed with the competent authority of the Contracting State at the same time as the application, provided that sufficient funds were available in the account at the time the period expired.

If on the date of receipt of a debit order, there are insufficient funds in the deposit account for the payment of a fee (shortfall), this fact will be communicated to the account holder by the Treasury and Accounts Department of the EPO. By replenishing the account and paying an administrative fee, the holder can ensure that the date of receipt of the debit order is deemed to be the date on which payment was effected. The administrative fee is 30% of the shortfall. The Arrangements for deposit accounts further fix a maximum and a minimum amount for this administrative fee.