---
title: >-
  Create unpaid orders from subscription billing attempts - Shopify developer
  changelog
description: >-
  Shopify’s developer changelog documents all changes to Shopify’s platform.
  Find the latest news and learn about new platform opportunities.
source_url:
  html: >-
    https://shopify.dev/changelog/posts/create-unpaid-orders-from-subscription-billing-attempts
  md: >-
    https://shopify.dev/changelog/posts/create-unpaid-orders-from-subscription-billing-attempts.md
metadata:
  effectiveApiVersion: 2026-04
  affectedApi:
    - displayName: Admin GraphQL API
      handle: admin-graphql
  primaryTag:
    displayName: API
    handle: api
  secondaryTag:
    displayName: New
    handle: new
  indicatesActionRequired: false
  createdAt: '2026-03-16T09:09:36-04:00'
  postedAt: '2026-04-01T00:00:00-04:00'
  updatedAt: '2026-03-17T07:57:36-04:00'
  effectiveAt: '2026-04-01T00:00:00-04:00'
---

April 1, 2026

# Create unpaid orders from subscription billing attempts

DateApril 1, 2026

Version[2026-04](https://shopify.dev/changelog?api_version=2026-04)

FlagsNew

SurfacesAPI

Affected APIs[Admin GraphQL API](https://shopify.dev/changelog?api_type=admin-graphql)

In the API `2026-04` release candidate version, you can now include a new field called `paymentProcessingPolicy` when creating a billing attempt using the [`subscriptionBillingAttemptCreate`](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/unstable/mutations/subscriptionBillingAttemptCreate#arguments-subscriptionBillingAttemptInput.fields.paymentProcessingPolicy) mutation. A billing attempt is an action to charge a customer based on their subscription.

The `paymentProcessingPolicy` field determines how the billing attempt is handled depending on the validity of the payment method:

* If you don't provide the `paymentProcessingPolicy` field, or if you set it to `FAIL_UNLESS_VALID_PAYMENT_METHOD`, a valid payment method is necessary to create an order successfully.
* Alternatively, if you set the value to `SKIP_PAYMENT_AND_CREATE_UNPAID_ORDER`, the system will create an unpaid order even if there isn't a valid payment method available on the subscription contract.

For detailed implementation instructions, please refer to our documentation on [building a subscription contract](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/purchase-options/subscriptions/contracts/build-a-subscription-contract).