5.1.1 Due date 

In the EPC, the term "due date" has a special meaning, namely the first day on which payment of a fee may be validly effected, not the last day of a period for such payment (see A‑X, 6, "Payment in due time"). The due date for fees is generally laid down by provisions of the EPC or of the PCT. If no due date is specified, the fee is due on the date of receipt of the request for the service incurring the fee concerned.

A fee may not be validly paid before the due date. The only exceptions are:

(i)renewal fees (see A‑X, 5.2.4)

(ii)fees paid voluntarily in response to the communication under Rule 71(3) (where amendments are also filed in response to that communication, see C‑V, 4.2).

Payments that may not be validly made before the due date may be refunded by the EPO. If payment is made shortly before the due date, it is possible that the EPO will not return the payment. In this case, however, payment only takes effect on the due date. This does not apply to payments via deposit account of renewal fees made before the earliest valid payment dates under Rule 51(1), see A‑X, 5.2.4.