diff --git a/classes/cart.class.php b/classes/cart.class.php
index c3e9ec3525e..47ca12df544 100644
--- a/classes/cart.class.php
+++ b/classes/cart.class.php
@@ -45,6 +45,8 @@ class woocommerce_cart {
   		$this->applied_coupons = array();
 		$this->get_cart_from_session();
 		if ( isset($_SESSION['coupons']) ) $this->applied_coupons = $_SESSION['coupons'];
+		
+		add_action('woocommerce_check_cart_items', array(&$this, 'check_cart_items'), 1);
     }
 	
 	/**
@@ -539,6 +541,17 @@ class woocommerce_cart {
 	function needs_payment() {
 		if ( $this->total > 0 ) return true; else return false;
 	}
+
+
+	/**
+	 * Check cart items for errors
+	 */
+	function check_cart_items() {
+	
+		$result = $this->check_cart_item_stock();
+		if (is_wp_error($result)) $woocommerce->add_error( $result->get_error_message() );
+	
+	}
 	
 	/** 
 	 * looks through the cart to check each item is in stock 
diff --git a/classes/checkout.class.php b/classes/checkout.class.php
index 9668a8b1284..8f75a03385f 100644
--- a/classes/checkout.class.php
+++ b/classes/checkout.class.php
@@ -677,24 +677,8 @@ class woocommerce_checkout {
 					 		'item_meta'		=> $item_meta->meta
 					 	), $values);
 					 	
-					 	// Check stock levels
-					 	if ($_product->managing_stock()) :
-							if (!$_product->is_in_stock() || !$_product->has_enough_stock( $values['quantity'] )) :
-								
-								$woocommerce->add_error( sprintf(__('Sorry, we do not have enough "%s" in stock to fulfil your order. Please edit your cart and try again. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.', 'woothemes'), $_product->get_title() ) );
-		                		break;
-								
-							endif;
-						else :
-						
-							if (!$_product->is_in_stock()) :
-							
-								$woocommerce->add_error( sprintf(__('Sorry, we do not have enough "%s" in stock to fulfil your order. Please edit your cart and try again. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.', 'woothemes'), $_product->get_title() ) );
-		                		break;
-
-							endif;
-							
-						endif;
+					 	// Check cart items for errors
+					 	do_action('woocommerce_check_cart_items');
 					 	
 					endforeach;
 					
diff --git a/readme.txt b/readme.txt
index 5035f00277f..1c6d222e1fd 100644
--- a/readme.txt
+++ b/readme.txt
@@ -107,6 +107,7 @@ Yes you can! Join in on our GitHub repository :) https://github.com/woothemes/wo
 * Directory changed for uploading file downloads - uploads/woocommerce_files
 * Download directory created on install as well as htaccess for denying access
 * Formal and informal German translations - thanks to stefahn, jessor, Ramoonus , owcv and deckerweb 
+* Hook for checking cart contents during cart/checkout - used for plugins too
 
 = 1.2 - 03/11/2011 =
 * Added quick status change buttons (processing/complete) to orders panel
diff --git a/shortcodes/shortcode-cart.php b/shortcodes/shortcode-cart.php
index 36cf50bbfe7..0b424055afe 100644
--- a/shortcodes/shortcode-cart.php
+++ b/shortcodes/shortcode-cart.php
@@ -62,10 +62,7 @@ function woocommerce_cart( $atts ) {
 			
 	endif;
 	
-	$result = $woocommerce->cart->check_cart_item_stock();
-	if (is_wp_error($result)) :
-		$woocommerce->add_error( $result->get_error_message() );
-	endif;
+	do_action('woocommerce_check_cart_items');
 	
 	$woocommerce->show_messages();
 	
diff --git a/shortcodes/shortcode-checkout.php b/shortcodes/shortcode-checkout.php
index a1e48ed1aac..4cdadd957cf 100644
--- a/shortcodes/shortcode-checkout.php
+++ b/shortcodes/shortcode-checkout.php
@@ -30,9 +30,7 @@ function woocommerce_checkout( $atts ) {
 	
 	$woocommerce_checkout->process_checkout();
 	
-	$result = $woocommerce->cart->check_cart_item_stock();
-	
-	if (is_wp_error($result)) $woocommerce->add_error( $result->get_error_message() );
+	do_action('woocommerce_check_cart_items');
 	
 	if ( $woocommerce->error_count()==0 && $non_js_checkout) $woocommerce->add_message( __('The order totals have been updated. Please confirm your order by pressing the Place Order button at the bottom of the page.', 'woothemes') );