diff --git a/orders/models.py b/orders/models.py
index 6a1df7d..1cab77c 100644
--- a/orders/models.py
+++ b/orders/models.py
@@ -124,6 +124,7 @@ class SellerOrder(models.Model):
     status = models.CharField(max_length=50, default='Pending Acceptance')
     carrier = models.CharField(max_length=100, default='Pending')
     tracking = models.CharField(max_length=100, default='Pending')
+    payment_mode = models.CharField(max_length=20, default='Prepaid')
     eta = models.CharField(max_length=50, default='N/A')
 
     class Meta:
diff --git a/orders/views.py b/orders/views.py
index 46ac0d3..1ade50e 100644
--- a/orders/views.py
+++ b/orders/views.py
@@ -131,6 +131,9 @@ class CheckoutView(APIView):
         )
         audit_logger.info(f"AUDIT - Checkout: User '{user.username}' created order ID {order.id} for amount ${total_amount:.2f}.")
 
+        raw_pm = str(request.data.get('payment_method') or request.data.get('payment_mode') or '').upper()
+        payment_mode = 'COD' if ('COD' in raw_pm or 'CASH' in raw_pm) else 'Prepaid'
+
         # Write to shared SellerOrder (api_order) table
         created_seller_orders = False
         if cart_items:
@@ -147,7 +150,8 @@ class CheckoutView(APIView):
                         total=item.quantity * item.price_at_add,
                         status='Pending Acceptance',
                         carrier='Pending',
-                        tracking='Pending'
+                        tracking='Pending',
+                        payment_mode=payment_mode
                     )
                     created_seller_orders = True
             CartItem.objects.filter(cart__user=user).delete()
@@ -178,7 +182,8 @@ class CheckoutView(APIView):
                     total=prod_price * prod_qty,
                     status='Pending Acceptance',
                     carrier='Pending',
-                    tracking='Pending'
+                    tracking='Pending',
+                    payment_mode=payment_mode
                 )
                 created_seller_orders = True
 
@@ -196,7 +201,8 @@ class CheckoutView(APIView):
                 total=total_amount or 999.0,
                 status='Pending Acceptance',
                 carrier='Pending',
-                tracking='Pending'
+                tracking='Pending',
+                payment_mode=payment_mode
             )
 
         return Response({