Trade Finance
Financial support for suppliers in the UK and abroad
- Funding your supplier payments
- Support for your import and export needs
- Fast, hassle-free funding in 24 hours
- Fast Approval, No Strings Attached
What does it mean by trade finance?
Positive Cash Flow Finance helps UK businesses get the money they need from banks and other lenders. This can bridge the gap between paying for supplies and getting paid by customers.
Whether you’re importing goods from within the UK or overseas, exporters often demand payment upfront. This can put businesses in a tough spot financially. Our trade finance solution eliminates that risk. We step in and provide the necessary funding, so you can import your goods with confidence.
Source goods from around the world and locally
Get the goods you need without hurting your bottom line. Trade finance can help you do business internationally, paying suppliers in over 60 currencies.
Benefit from better supplier terms
Paying your suppliers early can help you negotiate better deals on future contracts
Additional invoice financing option
Besides trade finance, you can also use invoice financing to get quicker payments from your customers.
Fast supplier payments
Payment to your suppliers will be processed on the same day the goods are shipped.
VAT, duty & freight costs covered
Payments for transportation logistics, import value-added tax, and import duties will be made on your behalf
Foreign exchange service available
If you need to pay in foreign currencies, we can integrate a foreign exchange service to simplify international purchases
- Fast Approval, No Strings Attached
How does trade finance work?
Trade finance is a simple way to buy goods domestically or internationally without straining your finances. It helps smooth the process of importing goods and getting paid by your customers.
1
Put in an order with your supplier
When you order from your supplier, we’ll guarantee payment by providing a letter of credit or a supplier undertaking.
2
Your goods are shipped
As soon as the finance provider confirms the goods have shipped, they’ll send payment that same day, in your preferred currency.
3
Sell goods and repay
Your goods will be delivered right to your doorstep. After you sell them, just pay back the finance provider. Or, you can use your invoice finance to pay upfront without waiting for your customers.
Get your free, tailored, no-obligation quote today
- Fast Approval, No Strings Attached
Do I qualify for trade finance?
To qualify, your business needs to be located in the UK and involved in trading goods, services, or commodities with other businesses, either within the UK or internationally. This financial solution is suitable for a wide range of industries, including wholesale, manufacturing, and retail.
To see if you’re eligible for trade finance, we just need a bit of information to provide you with a quote. Please share your funding needs, a brief overview of your business (including its turnover and legal status), and your contact information. That’s all it takes to get your trade finance quote!
- Fast Approval, No Strings Attached
What is the cost of trade finance?
Trade Finance costs vary depending on whether the goods are from the UK or overseas, and who’s involved—the supplier or the buyer. Several factors can impact the cost, such as bad debt protection, foreign exchange services, and any additional invoice finance facilities.
Like any business finance product, it’s crucial to fully understand the terms and any extra fees before signing the agreement. The fastest and easiest way to see if Trade Finance is right for your business is to get a quote from SME Invoice Finance.
- Fast Approval, No Strings Attached
Should you consider trade finance for your business?
Exporters often worry about importers failing to pay for shipped goods. Trade finance alleviates this concern by ensuring timely payments. Importers also benefit from trade finance, as it guarantees the timely arrival of goods, preventing disruptions to their business operations.
Trade finance empowers your business to import a wider range of products from around the globe, and in larger quantities. By providing credit facilities, you can pay suppliers upfront and defer payments until your goods are sold. This significantly boosts your inventory levels, enhancing your business’s capacity to meet customer demand.
You don’t need to wait for your inventory to sell out before repaying your finance. Our invoice finance solution offers an alternative, allowing you to access funds based on your outstanding invoices.
- Fast Approval, No Strings Attached
Financing solutions for UK businesses
Sometimes, suppliers won’t extend credit, leaving you to pay upfront while goods are in transit.
That’s where trade finance, or purchase order financing, comes in handy.
Our trade finance team can directly pay your supplier on your behalf, in the currency you both agree on. This offers several advantages, such as:
Faster payments to improve your cash flow
Plus, our provider will communicate with your supplier in their native language.
Trade finance is a valuable tool for international businesses. When goods are shipped directly between suppliers and customers overseas, bypassing the UK, we can handle the financial side of things, reducing your workload.
At SME Invoice Finance, we’re helping UK businesses achieve their global trade goals by freeing up cash tied up in credit terms. Our dedicated funding panel offers trade finance solutions to help businesses trade more smoothly.
Quick and easy setup
Boosts your cash flow
Clear and simple costs
Trade Finance FAQs
What is trade financing?
In a nutshell, trade finance makes global trade smoother by reducing the risks for both buyers and sellers. It works by bringing in a third party, like a bank, to help manage payments. This way, businesses can buy goods and services from anywhere in the world without worrying about potential payment delays or supply chain issues.
Can invoice finance be integrated with trade finance?
Invoice finance can be paired with trade finance to improve your cash flow. This helps you pay back your lender promptly, even if your customers haven’t paid you yet.
Can you explain purchase order financing to me?
Purchase order financing (PO financing) is a type of trade finance that uses a confirmed purchase order as collateral. It helps businesses bridge the gap between paying their suppliers and getting paid by their customers.
What is a letter of credit?
A letter of credit is a financial document issued by a bank. It guarantees that the seller will receive payment from the buyer, even if the buyer doesn’t pay up. This is beneficial for both parties: the buyer gets better terms and the seller is assured of payment.