Import Finance

Simplify payments for overseas suppliers.

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Please note the minimum requirement is £5,000.

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What is Import Finance?

Import finance is a tailored funding solution designed to help businesses purchase goods and raw materials from overseas suppliers. It bridges the financial gap between paying international suppliers upfront and receiving revenue once the goods are sold domestically, ensuring smoother supply chain operations without putting pressure on working capital.

Types of Import Finance

Common types include import loans, invoice financing, letters of credit, and trust receipt financing. These may be structured as short-term loans, revolving facilities, or trade credit lines. Some providers also combine currency hedging services to protect against foreign exchange risk.

Define Your Funding Need

Cash flow gaps, purchasing stock, funding expansion, managing seasonal fluctuations, supporting international trade, or other.

Choose the Right Funding Product

Each type of business funding works differently and comes with its benefits.

Submit Your Application

Provide details about your business.

Let the Experts Compare Options

We’ll present you with a broker to get the best available options for your business.

Review Offers

You can then decide which offer works best for your business.

Compare Business Funding Deals Today

At Compare Business Funding, we make it easy to compare all debt options from leading UK lenders.

Whether you're looking for business loans, asset finance, invoice finance, property finance, or international trade and expansion funding, our specialised partners, expert business finance brokers, help you find the best deal for your business, saving you time, money, and hassle.

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Benefits of Import Finance

Import finance allows businesses to pay overseas suppliers promptly while maintaining healthy cash flow. It reduces the risk of strained supplier relationships, helps secure favourable trading terms, and can mitigate currency volatility. By improving liquidity, it enables companies to scale imports without the need for large upfront reserves.

Typically used by wholesalers, retailers, manufacturers, and distributors who rely on overseas suppliers for stock, raw materials, or components. Common scenarios include buying in bulk from Asia, sourcing seasonal goods, or managing extended shipping times without tying up capital.

Things You Need to Know

Interest rates and fees vary depending on risk, supplier country, and trade terms. Lenders will assess the importer’s creditworthiness and supplier reliability. Currency exchange movements can significantly affect costs, so many firms combine import finance with hedging instruments.

FAQs

Can start-ups use import finance?

Unlikely, lenders usually require at least 12 moths trading history with the company's accounts filed in Companies House.

How quickly can funds be released?

In many cases, payments can be made directly to suppliers within days of approval.

Is collateral required?

Often a personal guarantee or debenture, though some lenders secure against goods in transit or invoices.

Can import finance cover freight and customs duties?

Yes, many facilities include logistics and duty costs as part of the loan.

Does it protect against currency risk?

Not automatically, but some lenders bundle FX hedging services.

Disclaimer: Compare Business Funding helps UK firms find the right finance credit broker for access to business finance. Compare finds credit brokers, not lenders. Any quotes provided are for information purposes only and subject to status and separate lender terms and conditions. Applicants must be aged 18 and over.  Guarantees and Indemnities may be required.  

This website is operated by Spark Finance. Spark Finance Ltd (Registered office - 18 John Stow House, London, England, EC3A 7JB, Registered Number 10128297) helps UK firms access business finance. Spark is a credit broker, not a lender. Any quotes provided are for information purposes only and subject to status and separate lender terms and conditions. Applicants must be aged 18 and over.  Guarantees and Indemnities may be required.  Spark Finance may receive commission from lenders  which may vary depending on the lender, product, or other permissible factors. The nature of any commission model will be confirmed to you before you proceed.

Spark Finance Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK (FRN 958123).