Trade Finance offers businesses the financial support needed to purchase stock or inventory and fulfil orders, both domestically and internationally. It helps bridge the gap between buyers and suppliers by managing risk, improving cash flow, and ensuring secure, efficient transactions—without waiting for lengthy customer payment terms to be settled.
Trade finance is typically available to UK-registered businesses engaged in domestic or international trade, especially importers or exporters. Lenders assess your trading history, turnover, and supplier/buyer relationships. You may also need confirmed purchase orders or sales contracts.
Trade finance facilities usually start from £10,000 and can scale up to £5 million or more, depending on deal size, trading volume, and credit strength. The funding is often tailored to the value of your purchase orders, invoices, or contracts.
Once your facility is approved and the documentation is in place, trade finance can be arranged in a few working days. For repeat transactions or trusted trade partners, the process becomes even faster and more streamlined.
Trade finance is used to pay suppliers before you receive goods or payment from buyers, making it perfect for managing cash flow in supply chains. It’s often used to fund imports, cover VAT/customs costs, or support large purchase orders without upfront capital.
Costs typically include a facility fee and interest (or a discount rate) on funds advanced, often ranging from 1.5% to 4% per 30 days, depending on the risk, deal size, and trade cycle. Terms are flexible and usually align with your transaction timeline (30 – 120 days common).
Complete our quick online form with a few details about your business and what you need funding for. No commitment, no jargon.
A dedicated finance expert will get in touch to understand your needs and tailor options that work for your business.
We’ll match you with trusted lenders from our panel, offering competitive rates and flexible terms suited to your sector.
Review your finance offers with full transparency. We’ll guide you through the details so you can make a confident decision.
Once approved, your funds are released quickly — often within 24–48 hours — so you can get back to growing your business.
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The time it takes to arrange trade finance depends on the type of facility required and the complexity of the transaction.
For straightforward import or export transactions, funding can often be set up within a few days, while more complex international deals may take slightly longer due to additional documentation, compliance checks, and risk assessments.
Fast access to trade finance allows businesses to meet supplier deadlines, secure goods, and manage cash flow efficiently, making it an essential tool for companies engaged in importing, exporting, or large-scale procurement.
Yes, trade finance strengthens your purchasing power by guaranteeing payment to suppliers.
Knowing that payment is secure often allows businesses to negotiate better terms, take advantage of early payment discounts, or secure larger orders.
By providing suppliers with confidence that they will receive funds on time, trade finance can improve supplier relationships, reduce payment-related delays, and give your business a competitive edge in procurement.
This makes it a valuable solution for both domestic and international supply chains.
Trade finance is available to any business engaged in trading goods or services, including importers, exporters, wholesalers, distributors, and manufacturers.
Lenders consider the nature of your trade, creditworthiness, and transaction history when assessing eligibility.
Whether your business is shipping goods internationally or purchasing raw materials domestically, trade finance provides secure, short-term funding to manage supplier payments and smooth cash flow, helping you operate more efficiently and expand trading opportunities.
For businesses seeking further information, our team of trade and debt finance specialists is available to answer questions, explain available options, and guide you through the process.
We provide full support from initial eligibility checks to setting up a trade finance facility, ensuring your business understands the terms, costs, and benefits before committing.
Contacting an experienced team is the best way to navigate the complexities of import/export finance and access a facility tailored to your trading needs.
Trade finance offers multiple advantages for businesses involved in importing or exporting goods:
By providing financial security, flexibility, and strategic leverage, trade finance is a key tool for businesses looking to strengthen operations, reduce risk, and support growth both in the UK and internationally.
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"Trade finance bridges the funding gap for businesses purchasing goods, typically allowing up to 120 days for repayment. This is crucial for importers dealing with upfront supplier payments and long delivery times, helping them manage working capital and maintain supply chain efficiency."
