---
updatedAt: 2026-03-24T21:13:16.000Z
agentTools:
  projectIndex: https://developer.bill.com/llms.txt
---

# Connect with a vendor in the BILL Network

Search for and send a connection request to a vendor in the BILL Network. In this example workflow, your BILL organization is the customer that is sending a connection request to the vendor `Happy Music Supplies` in the BILL Network.

> 👍 BILL Network sandbox setup is required
>
> Complete the <Anchor label="BILL Network sandbox setup" target="_blank" href="doc:bill-network-sandbox-setup">BILL Network sandbox setup</Anchor> before proceeding with searching for and connecting with a BILL Network vendor.

## Create a vendor in your organization

Create a vendor with the BILL web app or with `POST /v3/vendors` with the minimum required information. This is how you want to identify the vendor in your BILL organization.

In this cURL example, a vendor called `Happy` is created. This is how the vendor appears in your BILL organization.

```curl
curl --request POST \
--url 'https://gateway.stage.bill.com/connect/v3/vendors' \
--header 'content-type: application/json' \
--header 'devKey: {developer_key}' \
--header 'sessionId: {session_id}' \
--data '{
  "name": "Happy", 
  "accountType": "BUSINESS",
  "email": "info@happymusicsupplies.org", 
  "phone": "9876543210",
  "address": {
    "line1": "123 Main Street",
    "city": "San Jose",
    "stateOrProvince": "CA",
    "zipOrPostalCode": "95002",
    "country": "US"
  },
  "billCurrency": "USD"
}'
```

### Network connection status

You can get the Network connection status of a vendor when you create a vendor (`POST/v3/vendors`) or get vendor details (`GET /v3/vendors` or `GET /v3/vendors/{vendorId}`).

In the API response, `networkStatus` is available for providing information about the BILL Network connection status. This field can have one of four status values.

> 👍 Get Network connection status
>
> You can get the Network connection status of a vendor when you create a vendor (`POST/v3/vendors`) or get vendor details (`GET /v3/vendors` or `GET /v3/vendors/{vendorId}`).

| Value            | Description                                               |
| :--------------- | :-------------------------------------------------------- |
| `NOT_CONNECTED`  | Not connected with a vendor in the BILL Network           |
| `PENDING`        | Connection request sent to the vendor in the BILL Network |
| `CONNECTED`      | Connected with the vendor in the BILL Network             |
| `CONNECTED_RPPS` | Connected with a verified national vendor                 |

***

In the next set of steps, after you connect with a vendor called `Happy Music Supplies` in the BILL Network, BILL updates the created vendor called `Happy` with the Network vendor payment information.

## Search for the vendor

Search for the vendor in the BILL Network with `POST /v3/network`. In this cURL example, a search request is sent for a vendor called `Happy Music Supplies` in the BILL Network.

```curl
curl --request GET \
--url 'https://gateway.stage.bill.com/connect/v3/network?name=Happy%20Music%20Supplies&scope=BILL' \
--header 'content-type: application/json' \
--header 'devKey: {developer_key}' \
--header 'sessionId: {session_id}'
```

In the response, the search result displays the Payment Network ID (PNI `id`) and address details of the vendor. Use the PNI `id` to send a connection request to the vendor in the BILL Network.

## Send a connection request

Send a connection request to the vendor with `POST /v3/network/invitation/vendor/{vendorId}`.

In this cURL example, a connection request is sent to the vendor in the BILL Network. In the request, `vendorId` is set as the BILL-generated ID of the vendor record (called `Happy`) you created in your BILL organization. Retrieve the `vendorId` with `GET /v3/vendors`. In addition, `networkId` is set as the PNI `id` of the selected vendor from the Network search results.

```curl
curl --request POST \
--url 'https://gateway.stage.bill.com/connect/v3/network/invitation/vendor/{vendorId}' \
--header 'content-type: application/json' \
--header 'devKey: {developer_key}' \
--header 'sessionId: {session_id}' \
--data '{
  "networkId": "{PNI_id}",
  "networkType": "BILL"
}'
```

When you send the connection request, BILL automatically connects your vendor record with the vendor organization in the BILL Network. In this connection workflow, your organization is the customer and `Happy Music Supplies` is the vendor.

## Send a connection request to a Verified National Vendor

In this cURL example, a connection request is sent to a sample Verified National Vendor in the BILL Network. Use this test information in the sandbox environment.

```curl
curl --request POST \
--url 'https://gateway.stage.bill.com/connect/v3/network/invitation/vendor/{vendorId}' \
--header 'content-type: application/json' \
--header 'devKey: {developer_key}' \
--header 'sessionId: {session_id}' \
--data '{
  "networkId": "orv02RKQGGWHHZXZL9it",
  "networkType": "RPPS",
  "rppsInformation": {
    "accountNumber": "357053984000131"
}'
```

When you send the connection request, BILL automatically connects your vendor record with the Verified National Vendor organization in the BILL Network.