Stripe not sending invoice emails to customers in test environment

Question

I'm integrating Stripe into one of the apps. When I send invoices through Node.js SDK it's not sending invoice emails to customers when I use the test environment API key. But when I use a live environment API key with the exact same code, it sends the invoice email to the customer.

Also when I send invoices from the Stripe dashboard in test mode, it is sending emails to customers. The issue seems to be only with SDK/API in the test mode.

Is it possible to send emails to customers even in test mode using Node.js SDK/API?

Deckhand

Answer 1

Stripe doesn't send email in test mode.

From https://support.stripe.com/questions/not-receiving-email-sent-from-stripe:

Stripe only sends email receipts for payments that are made with your live API key or through your live Dashboard. If you are expecting an email for a test transaction, one will not be sent.

Straightaway

hmm how am I supposed to properly test Invoice integration with credit cards requiring 3D secure then? – Radnorshire

You may retrieve invoice URL from hosted_invoice_url parameter in Invoice object from API response or webhook events (e.g. invoice.sent event). With the URL, you can perform 3DS on it. – Straightaway

Interesting, looking into it thanks 🙏 – Radnorshire

Answer 2

It appears that it is now possible to have Stripe send emails, even in Test mode. According to this page, emails will be sent if the email address is associated with a verified domain.

Grassplot

I can confirm that this is true. Not all emails are triggered in test mode, just the ones listed in the linked article. – Intolerance

Answer 3

As per this video from Stripe, you can append +test_email to get the test emails.

Dianoia

I think it doesn't work anymore – Thurstan

Answer 4

Automated emails on payment are not supported in test mode. You can email receipts and paid invoices only via Stripe's dashboard. Source: https://docs.stripe.com/receipts?payment-ui=checkout#:~:text=RECEIPTS%20IN%20TEST,the%20Dashboard.

Peti