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GrowthBusiness Finance
Trade finance

Trade finance

Pay your suppliers upfront and repay once your goods have sold, with up to 100% of supplier cost funded on terms of up to 180 days. Free up cash for larger orders, better supplier prices and seasonal peaks.

No credit search and no upfront fee.

of supplier cost
Up to 100%of supplier cost
repayment terms
Up to 180 daysrepayment terms
UK and overseas suppliers
Import and domesticUK and overseas suppliers
for buyers with strong credit
Supply chain financefor buyers with strong credit

What is trade finance?

Trade finance is short-term funding that pays your suppliers for goods before you have sold them, then gives you time to sell and collect cash before you repay. A lender can fund up to 100% of the supplier cost, with repayment terms of up to 180 days on each transaction. It is used mainly by importers, wholesalers and brands buying finished goods for resale.

Talk it through

Tell us what you need and we will search 650+ lenders for indicative terms, with no upfront fee.

Trade finance

How it works

  1. 1

    You place an order

    With a UK or overseas supplier.

  2. 2

    The lender pays the supplier

    By direct payment or through a letter of credit, often allowing you to negotiate better prices for paying earlier.

  3. 3

    Goods are shipped and delivered

    To you or your customer.

  4. 4

    You sell the goods

    And invoice your customer.

  5. 5

    You repay the lender

    Within the agreed term of up to 180 days, often by rolling into an invoice finance facility as you invoice.

Supply chain finance

Supply chain finance, sometimes called reverse factoring, works from the buyer's side. A larger business sets up a programme that lets its suppliers be paid early by a funder, while the buyer pays on its normal terms. Pricing is based mainly on the buyer's credit strength. It suits larger buyers who want to support their supply chain and extend their own payment terms without putting pressure on suppliers.

Who it suits

What lenders look at

Trading history
Margins, turnover and how consistently you buy and sell.
Supplier relationships
How long you have used each supplier and their reliability on quality and delivery.
End customers
Who you sell to and whether orders are pre-sold or held as stock.
Gross margin
Enough margin to cover finance costs comfortably.
Logistics
Shipping routes, insurance, title to goods and any customs or duty exposure.
Existing security
Whether other lenders hold debentures that need agreement.
At a glance

Typical terms

Typical terms
FundingUp to 100% of supplier cost
TermUp to 180 days per transaction
Payment routesDirect supplier payment or letters of credit
SuppliersUK and overseas
StructureRevolving facility, drawn order by order
PricingPriced deal by deal

All figures are "up to" and subject to status and lender approval.

Our process

How GBF runs the process

We start with your purchase pattern, supplier list, margins and sales pipeline, plus recent accounts. We then work out whether trade finance alone fits, or whether it should sit alongside invoice finance or a wider asset based lending facility covering stock and receivables. We prepare the credit case, approach suitable lenders, compare indicative terms side by side and manage onboarding through to the first supplier payment. For e-commerce brands we may also compare revenue-based stock finance.

  • One senior adviser from first call to completion
  • A credit paper lenders take seriously
  • Indicative terms compared side by side
  • £0 upfront fee
FAQs

Trade finance: common questions

How much can trade finance fund?

Up to 100% of the supplier cost, depending on your margins, trading history and the goods being bought.

How long do I have to repay trade finance?

Up to 180 days on each transaction, set to match the time it takes to receive, sell and get paid for the goods.

Does trade finance only work for imports?

No. It can fund UK and overseas suppliers, although it is most commonly used for imports.

What is the difference between trade finance and supply chain finance?

Trade finance is arranged by the buyer to pay its suppliers. Supply chain finance is a buyer-led programme that lets suppliers be paid early, priced on the buyer's credit.

Can trade finance work with invoice finance?

Yes. Many businesses repay trade finance as they invoice, by drawing on an invoice finance or asset based lending facility.

Is GBF a lender?

No. Growth Business Finance is a commercial finance broker and debt adviser. Finance is subject to status and lender approval.

Talk to us about trade finance

Check what you could raise in two minutes or make an enquiry. No upfront fee and no credit search to get started.