Trade and import finance
Compare trade and import finance from our lender panel
Your supplier is paid up front and you repay on agreed terms. For importers whose cash sits in stock on the water.
An enquiry is a conversation, not an application. We won't submit anything to a lender without your say-so.
- Trade finance
- Pay suppliers upfront
- Import and local supply
- Compare the options
- Business-purpose finance
- Trade finance
- Pay suppliers upfront
- Import and local supply
- Compare the options
- Business-purpose finance
The basics
What is trade finance and how does it work?
Trade finance pays your supplier for you, then gives you an agreed window to repay the financier. It is the buy side of your cash-flow cycle: it funds stock you have ordered but cannot yet sell. Import finance is the same thing named after its most common use, paying an overseas supplier.
The defining feature is where the money goes: the financier pays your supplier directly, so a trade facility is assessed on the transaction, not just the borrower. What the goods are, who is selling them and who will buy them all matter. The other half is time: the facility gives you a repayment window meant to be set against your real cycle, the lead time to build and ship, plus a realistic selling period once the goods land. Facilities are commonly a limit you draw against order by order, and structures vary by financier.
How an import facility works, step by step
For most products the process is sales furniture. For this one the process is the explanation: once you can see where the money goes and when the clock starts, you understand the product. Here is the shape of it. The detail differs by financier.
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01
The order is assessed, not just you.
You agree the order with your supplier as you normally would. Before it funds anything, the financier looks at the transaction: what the goods are, who is selling them, what you paid, and what you are likely to sell them for. This is the part importers do not expect, and it is why a strong business can still be declined on a weak order.
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02
The financier pays your supplier.
Directly, on your behalf. Your cash never leaves the business, and a supplier who would not extend you credit gets paid as though you had. That is the whole trade in trade finance: the financier is standing between you and a supplier who wants money before it ships.
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03
The goods ship and land.
Then the costs that are not on the supplier's invoice arrive: freight, insurance, customs duty, GST. Some facilities extend to those landed costs and some stop at the supplier's invoice. Which one you have determines whether the stock lands or sits.
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04
You repay, out of sales.
At the end of the agreed window, ideally from the revenue the stock generated. If the window is shorter than your real cycle, you are repaying out of working capital, which is the same problem you started with in a different costume.
Approval, limits, terms, pricing and timing are decided by the financier, not by us, and are subject to that financier's assessment criteria. Where we come in: you tell us the order and the supplier terms once, we take it to the financiers on our panel with appetite for your goods and your market, and you choose.
The one thing to pin down before you sign
Ask when the repayment clock starts, and get the answer in writing.
Facilities do not all start it at the same point. Yours might run from the day the financier pays your supplier, from the day the goods ship, or from the day they land. On a long lead time, the difference between those three dates can eat a large part of your window before you have anything to sell, and the headline term length tells you nothing about it.
The second question is what the window covers. A facility sized to the supplier's invoice leaves you finding freight, duty and GST at the port, out of the cash the facility was supposed to protect. A facility sized to the landed cost does not.
Neither of these is a trick question and no financier is hiding the answer. They just are not the number anyone leads with, so nobody asks. We confirm both on every option we bring you, before you compare anything else.
Who it suits
Suppliers want payment now. The stock won't sell for months.
Trade finance suits importers, wholesalers and distributors buying stock from suppliers who will not extend credit. The pattern is always the same: money leaves the business before the goods exist, then the goods sit before they sell. If that gap is the thing straining your cash flow, this is the product built for it.
Read more
The businesses it fits are the ones whose money is tied up in transit. A homewares importer paying a deposit in one quarter and selling the container in the next. A wholesaler whose supplier has just moved from thirty-day terms to payment before dispatch. A distributor who has to commit to a season's stock in one order to get the price that makes the season work.
Does it only work for overseas suppliers? No. It is called import finance because that is the most common shape, but the product is answering a payment gap, not a border. Whether a particular financier will fund a domestic purchase is that financier's call, and it is a question worth asking rather than assuming.
Am I big enough? The honest answer is that this is arithmetic, not a feeling. There is a cost to arranging a facility and a cost to using it, and both have to sit comfortably inside the margin on the orders you are funding. A facility that costs more than the discount you get for ordering in volume is a facility working for the financier. Run that number before you run anything else, and if it does not clear, we will tell you.
Where trade finance is the wrong answer. If the money is already earned and you are waiting on customers to pay, that is invoice finance: the sell side of the same cycle. If the gap is not a stock purchase but general working capital that comes and goes, a line of credit is the sharper tool. And if you are not sure which of the three you are describing, that is the conversation, not the form.
Trade finance vs invoice finance: what's the difference?
Trade finance funds the buy side: the financier pays your supplier for stock you have not sold yet. Invoice finance funds the sell side: it releases cash from invoices you have already issued. One gets goods onto your shelves, the other gets money out of your debtors ledger. Plenty of importers use both.
| Feature | Trade finance | Invoice finance |
|---|---|---|
| Which side of the cycle | Buy. Before you have stock | Sell. After you have invoiced |
| What it funds | An order from your supplier | Invoices you have issued to your customers |
| Who receives the money | Your supplier, paid directly | You |
| What the financier assesses | The transaction: the goods, the supplier, your route to market | Your debtors ledger and the customers who owe you |
| Where repayment comes from | Your sales, at the end of an agreed window | Your customer paying the invoice |
| What it needs to exist | An order, and a supplier who wants paying | An invoice, and a business customer who owes you |
| Best suited to | Importers, wholesalers and distributors buying stock | Businesses invoicing other businesses on terms |
Structures, coverage and terms vary by financier and by facility. The table describes how the two products generally work, not the terms of any particular offer.
Can you run both? Yes, and importers with slow-paying B2B customers commonly do, because the two facilities cover opposite ends of the same gap: one funds the stock, the other releases the cash once the stock has become an invoice. They are not alternatives to each other.
Which do you need first? Whichever gap is actually binding. If you cannot place the order, no invoice ever exists to finance, so trade finance comes first. If you can place orders comfortably but you are waiting sixty days to see the money, the constraint is the ledger and trade finance will not touch it. Both facilities need arranging separately and both are assessed on their own merits, so if you want both, say so early rather than arranging one and coming back.
What financiers typically look for
There is no single answer, because there is no single financier. Every one on our panel sets its own criteria and applies them to your deal. What follows is the shape of what is usually assessed on a trade facility, so you know what to have ready. It is not a checklist you can pass.
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An active ABN and a trading entity*
Financiers will want to know the entity structure and who stands behind it.
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A trading history*
Most financiers want to see that the business has been importing, or trading, for a minimum period. That minimum differs by financier.
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The supplier, and your history with them*
This is the criterion that surprises people. The financier is funding a transaction, so it assesses the counterparty too. A repeat order from a supplier you have bought from for years is a different conversation from a first order with a supplier you found last month.
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The goods themselves*
Appetite genuinely varies by what is in the container. Perishability, shelf life, how easily the goods could be resold if something went wrong, and any licensing around them all affect who will fund it.
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A route to market*
You are repaying out of sales, so financiers want to see who buys this stock from you. Purchase orders, a distribution agreement or a trading history in the category all help.
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The paperwork of the trade*
Purchase orders, supplier invoices, proformas, shipping and customs documents. On this product the documents are not admin, they are the asset.
* Indicative only. Each financier on our panel sets and applies its own assessment criteria, and none of this is an assessment of your business, a pre-approval or a promise of any outcome. Meeting every point here does not mean a financier will fund your order, and missing one is not always fatal. That is the conversation to have with us.
Industries
Industries we help fund
Whatever you do, the finance that fits depends on how your business actually trades. These are some of the industries we arrange funding for, each with its own guide.
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Agriculture & farming
Machinery, utes, inputs bought a season ahead, and repayments that can follow the harvest.
Agriculture finance -
Hospitality & cafés
Fit-outs, commercial kitchen gear, stock before the rush, and the quiet months in between.
Hospitality finance -
Retail & e-commerce
Buying stock before the season sells, fit-outs, and bridging supplier terms against your sales.
Retail finance -
Trades & construction
Tools, vehicles, materials up front, and bridging the gap between doing the work and being paid.
Trades & construction finance -
Health & allied health
Practice fit-outs, clinical equipment, hiring, and opening a second set of rooms.
Health finance -
Professional services
Hiring ahead of billings, office and technology, and bridging project-based invoicing.
Professional services finance -
Transport & logistics
Trucks and trailers, running costs, and carrying the gap between delivery and payment.
Transport & logistics finance
Lenders on our panel
Customer stories
What business owners say about 121 Brokers
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5 out of 5
Cash flow in retail is lumpy, so a line of credit made far more sense for me than a lump-sum loan. I draw down when stock orders are due and pay it back after the season sells through. Having that buffer sitting there has taken so much stress out of running the shop. Only wish I'd set it up years ago.
Priya S. Retail store owner, Sydney NSW -
5 out of 5
My biggest client pays on 60-day terms and it was slowly strangling my payroll. Invoice factoring let me get most of the money up front instead of waiting two months. Now I can pay my contractors on time and take on bigger projects without sweating the gap. It changed how I run the business.
Sophie L. Marketing agency founder, Melbourne VIC -
4 out of 5
A merchant cash advance worked well for me because repayments flex with my daily card takings. Quiet week, I pay less; busy week, I pay more. It suited the ups and downs of a restaurant far better than a fixed loan. Would have given five stars if the initial paperwork had been slightly quicker, but no real complaints.
Ahmed R. Restaurant owner, Perth WA -
5 out of 5
Events is feast or famine and I needed working capital to lock in venues and suppliers before deposits came in. They looked at the whole picture of my business, not just a credit score, and got me a fair deal fast. Being treated like a partner rather than a file number made all the difference.
Rebecca H. Event planning business owner, Gold Coast QLD -
5 out of 5
Kitted out my whole new studio floor with an equipment loan, rowers, bikes, weights, the lot. Approval was quick and I didn't have to drain my savings to do it. The repayments are comfortable and the gear is already paying for itself in new memberships. Really happy with the service.
Natalie W. Boutique fitness studio owner, Sydney NSW -
4 out of 5
Factoring smoothed out the gap between paying my suppliers and getting paid by my stockists. It freed up a serious amount of working capital that had been locked in unpaid invoices. The process was clear and the fees were transparent, which I appreciated after some bad experiences elsewhere.
Vikram P. Wholesale distributor, Sydney NSW -
5 out of 5
Setting up a line of credit gave me the flexibility to cover slow months and jump on stock deals when they came up. I only pay for what I use, which is exactly what a small salon needs. The broker took the time to walk me through everything and never made me feel like a small fish.
Laura K. Hair salon owner, Canberra ACT -
5 out of 5
We needed significant funding to renovate and meet new compliance standards. A secured loan over a longer term made the repayments achievable without cutting staff. Throughout the whole process I felt genuinely supported and never pressured. Highly recommend them to any owner needing serious capital.
Amanda J. Childcare centre owner, Perth WA -
5 out of 5
Needed a new fleet ute fitted out with racking and tools of trade. The equipment loan covered the vehicle and the fit-out in one tidy package. Fast, fair and no runaround. As a tradie who doesn't have hours to spend on paperwork, that speed is worth a lot.
Chris D. Electrical contractor, Adelaide SA -
4 out of 5
Ahead of the Christmas rush I needed to buy inventory in bulk. A merchant cash advance let me stock up and repay as sales came through my payment terminal. It matched my revenue perfectly. Slightly higher cost than a standard loan, but for the flexibility and speed it was worth it for me.
Olivia N. E-commerce store owner, Gold Coast QLD -
5 out of 5
Refurbished the shopfront and added a coffee station with an unsecured loan. No property put on the line, funds through quickly, and the repayments were set at a level I could actually sustain. The whole team was patient and explained every figure. Couldn't ask for more.
Hassan A. Convenience store owner, Sydney NSW -
5 out of 5
Flowers are seasonal and perishable, so I needed finance that moved with me. A line of credit lets me buy heavily before Valentine's and Mother's Day and pay it back once the flowers sell. It's the perfect tool for a business like mine. Friendly, no-nonsense service too.
Isabella M. Florist, Adelaide SA -
5 out of 5
Opened a second location using a secured loan and the longer repayment term meant the new site could find its feet without crippling cash flow. The broker was upfront about every cost. I've since recommended them to two other gym owners in my network.
Ryan H. Gym owner, Perth WA -
5 out of 5
A commercial oven isn't cheap, and financing it instead of buying outright kept my cash free for ingredients and staff. The equipment loan was approved fast and the repayments are very manageable against the extra bread I can now bake. Lovely people to deal with.
Chloe T. Bakery owner, Hobart TAS -
4 out of 5
The card-linked repayments of a merchant cash advance suited my salon's daily takings really well. Quieter weeks didn't feel like a burden. The advance let me renovate two treatment rooms. Approval was quick and the team was upfront about the total cost, which I respected.
Fatima K. Beauty and spa owner, Melbourne VIC -
5 out of 5
Needed a large sum to bring a production line in-house. A secured loan gave us the amount we needed at a rate that made the investment stack up. The payback period is already looking shorter than projected. Serious funding handled by people who took us seriously.
Anthony G. Manufacturing business owner, Wollongong NSW -
5 out of 5
Fitted out a mobile grooming van with an unsecured loan and it's doubled my bookings. The application was refreshingly simple and the money came through fast. Being able to grow without putting my home on the line meant a lot to me as a sole operator.
Hannah P. Pet grooming business owner, Brisbane QLD -
5 out of 5
Agriculture has long cash cycles and most lenders don't get that. This team structured a secured loan around my harvest and sales calendar so repayments land when the money actually comes in. Thoughtful, tailored and patient. Exactly the partner a small producer needs.
David S. Vineyard and cellar door owner, Barossa SA -
5 out of 5
My clients are lovely but slow to pay, and factoring solved that overnight. I now get the bulk of each invoice straight away and can pay my suppliers and myself without stress. It turned a constant cash-flow headache into a non-issue. Wish I'd done it sooner.
Zoe A. Interior design studio owner, Sydney NSW -
4 out of 5
Financed a new pressure system and a fit-out for a second bay through an equipment loan. Quick approval and fair terms. Took one extra day to finalise than I hoped, but the broker kept me informed the whole way, so I never felt in the dark. Solid experience overall.
Nathan B. Auto detailing business owner, Gold Coast QLD
-
5 out of 5
Read fullCash flow in retail is lumpy, so a line of credit made far more sense for me than a lump-sum loan. I draw down when stock orders are due and pay it back after the season sells through. Having that buffer sitting there has taken so much stress out of running the shop. Only wish I'd set it up years ago.
Priya S. Retail store owner, Sydney NSW -
5 out of 5
Read fullMy biggest client pays on 60-day terms and it was slowly strangling my payroll. Invoice factoring let me get most of the money up front instead of waiting two months. Now I can pay my contractors on time and take on bigger projects without sweating the gap. It changed how I run the business.
Sophie L. Marketing agency founder, Melbourne VIC -
4 out of 5
Read fullA merchant cash advance worked well for me because repayments flex with my daily card takings. Quiet week, I pay less; busy week, I pay more. It suited the ups and downs of a restaurant far better than a fixed loan. Would have given five stars if the initial paperwork had been slightly quicker, but no real complaints.
Ahmed R. Restaurant owner, Perth WA -
5 out of 5
Read fullEvents is feast or famine and I needed working capital to lock in venues and suppliers before deposits came in. They looked at the whole picture of my business, not just a credit score, and got me a fair deal fast. Being treated like a partner rather than a file number made all the difference.
Rebecca H. Event planning business owner, Gold Coast QLD -
5 out of 5
Read fullKitted out my whole new studio floor with an equipment loan, rowers, bikes, weights, the lot. Approval was quick and I didn't have to drain my savings to do it. The repayments are comfortable and the gear is already paying for itself in new memberships. Really happy with the service.
Natalie W. Boutique fitness studio owner, Sydney NSW -
4 out of 5
Read fullFactoring smoothed out the gap between paying my suppliers and getting paid by my stockists. It freed up a serious amount of working capital that had been locked in unpaid invoices. The process was clear and the fees were transparent, which I appreciated after some bad experiences elsewhere.
Vikram P. Wholesale distributor, Sydney NSW -
5 out of 5
Read fullSetting up a line of credit gave me the flexibility to cover slow months and jump on stock deals when they came up. I only pay for what I use, which is exactly what a small salon needs. The broker took the time to walk me through everything and never made me feel like a small fish.
Laura K. Hair salon owner, Canberra ACT -
5 out of 5
Read fullWe needed significant funding to renovate and meet new compliance standards. A secured loan over a longer term made the repayments achievable without cutting staff. Throughout the whole process I felt genuinely supported and never pressured. Highly recommend them to any owner needing serious capital.
Amanda J. Childcare centre owner, Perth WA -
5 out of 5
Read fullNeeded a new fleet ute fitted out with racking and tools of trade. The equipment loan covered the vehicle and the fit-out in one tidy package. Fast, fair and no runaround. As a tradie who doesn't have hours to spend on paperwork, that speed is worth a lot.
Chris D. Electrical contractor, Adelaide SA -
4 out of 5
Read fullAhead of the Christmas rush I needed to buy inventory in bulk. A merchant cash advance let me stock up and repay as sales came through my payment terminal. It matched my revenue perfectly. Slightly higher cost than a standard loan, but for the flexibility and speed it was worth it for me.
Olivia N. E-commerce store owner, Gold Coast QLD -
5 out of 5
Read fullRefurbished the shopfront and added a coffee station with an unsecured loan. No property put on the line, funds through quickly, and the repayments were set at a level I could actually sustain. The whole team was patient and explained every figure. Couldn't ask for more.
Hassan A. Convenience store owner, Sydney NSW -
5 out of 5
Read fullFlowers are seasonal and perishable, so I needed finance that moved with me. A line of credit lets me buy heavily before Valentine's and Mother's Day and pay it back once the flowers sell. It's the perfect tool for a business like mine. Friendly, no-nonsense service too.
Isabella M. Florist, Adelaide SA -
5 out of 5
Read fullOpened a second location using a secured loan and the longer repayment term meant the new site could find its feet without crippling cash flow. The broker was upfront about every cost. I've since recommended them to two other gym owners in my network.
Ryan H. Gym owner, Perth WA -
5 out of 5
Read fullA commercial oven isn't cheap, and financing it instead of buying outright kept my cash free for ingredients and staff. The equipment loan was approved fast and the repayments are very manageable against the extra bread I can now bake. Lovely people to deal with.
Chloe T. Bakery owner, Hobart TAS -
4 out of 5
Read fullThe card-linked repayments of a merchant cash advance suited my salon's daily takings really well. Quieter weeks didn't feel like a burden. The advance let me renovate two treatment rooms. Approval was quick and the team was upfront about the total cost, which I respected.
Fatima K. Beauty and spa owner, Melbourne VIC -
5 out of 5
Read fullNeeded a large sum to bring a production line in-house. A secured loan gave us the amount we needed at a rate that made the investment stack up. The payback period is already looking shorter than projected. Serious funding handled by people who took us seriously.
Anthony G. Manufacturing business owner, Wollongong NSW -
5 out of 5
Read fullFitted out a mobile grooming van with an unsecured loan and it's doubled my bookings. The application was refreshingly simple and the money came through fast. Being able to grow without putting my home on the line meant a lot to me as a sole operator.
Hannah P. Pet grooming business owner, Brisbane QLD -
5 out of 5
Read fullAgriculture has long cash cycles and most lenders don't get that. This team structured a secured loan around my harvest and sales calendar so repayments land when the money actually comes in. Thoughtful, tailored and patient. Exactly the partner a small producer needs.
David S. Vineyard and cellar door owner, Barossa SA -
5 out of 5
Read fullMy clients are lovely but slow to pay, and factoring solved that overnight. I now get the bulk of each invoice straight away and can pay my suppliers and myself without stress. It turned a constant cash-flow headache into a non-issue. Wish I'd done it sooner.
Zoe A. Interior design studio owner, Sydney NSW -
4 out of 5
Read fullFinanced a new pressure system and a fit-out for a second bay through an equipment loan. Quick approval and fair terms. Took one extra day to finalise than I hoped, but the broker kept me informed the whole way, so I never felt in the dark. Solid experience overall.
Nathan B. Auto detailing business owner, Gold Coast QLD
-
5 out of 5
Even a professional services firm has cash-flow timing issues around tax season. A line of credit gives me a buffer to cover wages when client payments bunch up. Everything was transparent and the ongoing support has been excellent. I recommend them to my own clients now.
Sarah V. Accounting practice owner, Melbourne VIC -
5 out of 5
Wholesale fashion means big orders and long waits for payment from retailers. Factoring gave me the cash to fund the next production run without waiting. It's let me scale far faster than I could have otherwise. Clear terms, quick funds, genuinely helpful people.
Aisha N. Fashion label owner, Sydney NSW -
5 out of 5
New fermentation tanks and a canning line don't come cheap. Financing the equipment let me expand capacity while keeping working capital for hops and wages. The term matches the gear's lifespan and the whole thing was sorted quickly. Couldn't be happier with the outcome.
Liam K. Craft brewery owner, Adelaide SA -
5 out of 5
Buying out a retiring partner required a substantial sum. A secured loan over a sensible term made the buyout affordable without straining the practice. The broker handled the complexity calmly and kept everything transparent. A big, stressful transaction made a lot smoother.
Megan D. Dental practice owner, Perth WA -
5 out of 5
Upgraded all my camera and lighting gear ahead of a fully-booked season with an unsecured loan. Simple application, fast funds, and repayments I can meet comfortably from bookings. As a creative sole trader, being treated seriously and quickly meant a great deal.
Jessica L. Wedding photography business owner, Byron Bay NSW -
5 out of 5
Financed a new tipper and safety gear for a bigger crew. The equipment loan was fast and the repayments are set against the extra jobs it lets us take. These brokers speak tradie and don't waste your time. Already planning to use them for the next vehicle.
Cameron H. Roofing contractor, Brisbane QLD -
5 out of 5
A line of credit gives me breathing room across the quieter months without committing to a big loan. I dip in when I need to and repay when classes fill up again. Low stress, flexible, and the team explained it all so clearly. Perfect fit for a small studio.
Ingrid S. Yoga and wellness studio owner, Sunshine Coast QLD -
5 out of 5
Big commercial clients pay slowly and I have wages due weekly. Factoring bridges that gap perfectly, I get paid on my invoices in days, not months, and my staff always get paid on time. It's the single best decision I've made for the cash flow of the business.
Robert T. Commercial cleaning business owner, Melbourne VIC -
4 out of 5
Used a merchant cash advance to stock up before a big local festival. Repayments came out of card sales so it never felt like a heavy fixed cost. It paid off well. The process was quick and honest about the total repayable, which is all I ask for.
Yasmin A. Homewares boutique owner, Adelaide SA -
5 out of 5
Needed heavy capital for a new loader and a longer term to match how the work comes in. The secured loan did exactly that at a rate that made sense. Straightforward, no hidden fees, and the money was ready when I needed to move. Highly recommended for plant purchases.
Gavin P. Earthmoving contractor, Ballarat VIC -
5 out of 5
Financed a new hoist and wheel aligner. The equipment loan let me offer services I couldn't before, and the extra work already covers the repayment. Fast approval and a broker who actually understood the trade. Can't fault the experience at all.
Bradley O. Mechanic and tyre shop owner, Darwin NT -
5 out of 5
Catering means paying for stock and casuals before the client pays me. A line of credit covers that gap for every event and I clear it once I'm paid. It's taken the fear out of taking on bigger functions. The flexibility is exactly what my business runs on.
Caroline W. Catering business owner, Perth WA -
5 out of 5
Expanding the growing area and adding a café needed real money. A secured loan over a long term made it work without breaking the weekly budget. Everything was transparent and the support has continued well past settlement. A true partner rather than just a lender.
Holly N. Nursery and garden centre owner, Bendigo VIC -
4 out of 5
Pre-season stock for a surf shop is a huge outlay. A merchant cash advance let me buy up and repay from card sales as summer rolled in. It matched my seasonal takings really neatly. Slightly pricier than a term loan but the flexibility earned its keep.
Dylan K. Surf and skate shop owner, Torquay VIC -
5 out of 5
Financed new diagnostic equipment so we could offer more in-house services. The loan kept our cash reserves intact for staffing and the repayments are covered easily by the new revenue. Smooth, quick and professional. The clinic is better for it and so are our patients.
Renee M. Medical clinic owner, Cairns QLD -
5 out of 5
Invested in a proper course platform and a marketing push using an unsecured loan. Enrolments have more than covered the repayments. The application was quick and entirely online, which suited how I run everything. Fast, modern and easy to deal with.
Tara L. Online education business owner, Sydney NSW -
5 out of 5
In recruitment I pay contractors weekly but clients pay me monthly. Factoring closes that gap entirely, I draw on my invoices and never miss a contractor payment. It removed the single biggest strain in my business. Clear, fast and dependable. Highly recommend.
Bianca H. Recruitment agency owner, Brisbane QLD -
5 out of 5
Financed a second vessel to grow the charter side of the business. The boat loan was structured around the tourist season so repayments ease off over winter. They understood a marine tourism operation better than my bank ever did. Smooth sailing from enquiry to funds.
Wayne D. Boat charter operator, Airlie Beach QLD -
5 out of 5
A full refit of the spa needed a serious sum, and a secured loan over a longer term made it affordable. Bookings have climbed since the makeover and the repayments sit comfortably within that. Transparent, patient and genuinely invested in seeing the business do well.
Elena K. Day spa owner, Noosa QLD -
5 out of 5
Started my second van with an equipment loan covering the fit-out and machine. Approval was quick, the terms were fair, and the van was earning within a fortnight. For a small operator chasing growth, having a broker who moves fast is everything. Couldn't recommend them more.
Josh P. Mobile coffee van owner, Perth WA
-
5 out of 5
Read fullEven a professional services firm has cash-flow timing issues around tax season. A line of credit gives me a buffer to cover wages when client payments bunch up. Everything was transparent and the ongoing support has been excellent. I recommend them to my own clients now.
Sarah V. Accounting practice owner, Melbourne VIC -
5 out of 5
Read fullWholesale fashion means big orders and long waits for payment from retailers. Factoring gave me the cash to fund the next production run without waiting. It's let me scale far faster than I could have otherwise. Clear terms, quick funds, genuinely helpful people.
Aisha N. Fashion label owner, Sydney NSW -
5 out of 5
Read fullNew fermentation tanks and a canning line don't come cheap. Financing the equipment let me expand capacity while keeping working capital for hops and wages. The term matches the gear's lifespan and the whole thing was sorted quickly. Couldn't be happier with the outcome.
Liam K. Craft brewery owner, Adelaide SA -
5 out of 5
Read fullBuying out a retiring partner required a substantial sum. A secured loan over a sensible term made the buyout affordable without straining the practice. The broker handled the complexity calmly and kept everything transparent. A big, stressful transaction made a lot smoother.
Megan D. Dental practice owner, Perth WA -
5 out of 5
Read fullUpgraded all my camera and lighting gear ahead of a fully-booked season with an unsecured loan. Simple application, fast funds, and repayments I can meet comfortably from bookings. As a creative sole trader, being treated seriously and quickly meant a great deal.
Jessica L. Wedding photography business owner, Byron Bay NSW -
5 out of 5
Read fullFinanced a new tipper and safety gear for a bigger crew. The equipment loan was fast and the repayments are set against the extra jobs it lets us take. These brokers speak tradie and don't waste your time. Already planning to use them for the next vehicle.
Cameron H. Roofing contractor, Brisbane QLD -
5 out of 5
Read fullA line of credit gives me breathing room across the quieter months without committing to a big loan. I dip in when I need to and repay when classes fill up again. Low stress, flexible, and the team explained it all so clearly. Perfect fit for a small studio.
Ingrid S. Yoga and wellness studio owner, Sunshine Coast QLD -
5 out of 5
Read fullBig commercial clients pay slowly and I have wages due weekly. Factoring bridges that gap perfectly, I get paid on my invoices in days, not months, and my staff always get paid on time. It's the single best decision I've made for the cash flow of the business.
Robert T. Commercial cleaning business owner, Melbourne VIC -
4 out of 5
Read fullUsed a merchant cash advance to stock up before a big local festival. Repayments came out of card sales so it never felt like a heavy fixed cost. It paid off well. The process was quick and honest about the total repayable, which is all I ask for.
Yasmin A. Homewares boutique owner, Adelaide SA -
5 out of 5
Read fullNeeded heavy capital for a new loader and a longer term to match how the work comes in. The secured loan did exactly that at a rate that made sense. Straightforward, no hidden fees, and the money was ready when I needed to move. Highly recommended for plant purchases.
Gavin P. Earthmoving contractor, Ballarat VIC -
5 out of 5
Read fullFinanced a new hoist and wheel aligner. The equipment loan let me offer services I couldn't before, and the extra work already covers the repayment. Fast approval and a broker who actually understood the trade. Can't fault the experience at all.
Bradley O. Mechanic and tyre shop owner, Darwin NT -
5 out of 5
Read fullCatering means paying for stock and casuals before the client pays me. A line of credit covers that gap for every event and I clear it once I'm paid. It's taken the fear out of taking on bigger functions. The flexibility is exactly what my business runs on.
Caroline W. Catering business owner, Perth WA -
5 out of 5
Read fullExpanding the growing area and adding a café needed real money. A secured loan over a long term made it work without breaking the weekly budget. Everything was transparent and the support has continued well past settlement. A true partner rather than just a lender.
Holly N. Nursery and garden centre owner, Bendigo VIC -
4 out of 5
Read fullPre-season stock for a surf shop is a huge outlay. A merchant cash advance let me buy up and repay from card sales as summer rolled in. It matched my seasonal takings really neatly. Slightly pricier than a term loan but the flexibility earned its keep.
Dylan K. Surf and skate shop owner, Torquay VIC -
5 out of 5
Read fullFinanced new diagnostic equipment so we could offer more in-house services. The loan kept our cash reserves intact for staffing and the repayments are covered easily by the new revenue. Smooth, quick and professional. The clinic is better for it and so are our patients.
Renee M. Medical clinic owner, Cairns QLD -
5 out of 5
Read fullInvested in a proper course platform and a marketing push using an unsecured loan. Enrolments have more than covered the repayments. The application was quick and entirely online, which suited how I run everything. Fast, modern and easy to deal with.
Tara L. Online education business owner, Sydney NSW -
5 out of 5
Read fullIn recruitment I pay contractors weekly but clients pay me monthly. Factoring closes that gap entirely, I draw on my invoices and never miss a contractor payment. It removed the single biggest strain in my business. Clear, fast and dependable. Highly recommend.
Bianca H. Recruitment agency owner, Brisbane QLD -
5 out of 5
Read fullFinanced a second vessel to grow the charter side of the business. The boat loan was structured around the tourist season so repayments ease off over winter. They understood a marine tourism operation better than my bank ever did. Smooth sailing from enquiry to funds.
Wayne D. Boat charter operator, Airlie Beach QLD -
5 out of 5
Read fullA full refit of the spa needed a serious sum, and a secured loan over a longer term made it affordable. Bookings have climbed since the makeover and the repayments sit comfortably within that. Transparent, patient and genuinely invested in seeing the business do well.
Elena K. Day spa owner, Noosa QLD -
5 out of 5
Read fullStarted my second van with an equipment loan covering the fit-out and machine. Approval was quick, the terms were fair, and the van was earning within a fortnight. For a small operator chasing growth, having a broker who moves fast is everything. Couldn't recommend them more.
Josh P. Mobile coffee van owner, Perth WA
Testimonials reflect individual customers' experiences. Outcomes vary and depend on the lender and your circumstances.
121 Brokers Pty Ltd (ABN 37 674 323 712) is a finance broker, not a lender. We arrange finance through third-party lenders. Approval, interest rates, fees, timing and the funds themselves are set and provided by the lender, not by 121 Brokers.
FAQs
Trade finance questions, answered straight
What is a letter of credit, and do I need one?
A letter of credit is a bank's written undertaking to pay your supplier once the shipping documents match the terms you both agreed. It exists to reassure a supplier who does not know you well enough to ship on trust. Whether you need one depends entirely on what your supplier will accept.
It is worth understanding what you are buying with it. A letter of credit is a documentary instrument: payment turns on the paperwork being exactly right, and a discrepancy between the documents and the terms can hold up a payment even when the goods are fine and on the water. It also usually means working with a bank that will assess you for it.
That is why the "letter of credit alternative" framing exists. A trade facility can reach the same commercial outcome, your supplier gets paid and you get a repayment window, through a different mechanism. Which route is open to you depends on your supplier, your bank and your file, and it is one of the first things to establish rather than one of the last.
How long are trade finance repayment terms?
The window should be set against your actual cycle: the lead time to make and ship the goods, plus a realistic period to sell them. Terms are set by the financier, per facility, and depend on the goods, your trading history and the deal. There is no standard term worth quoting you.
What matters more than the length is where it starts, and that is not standard either. Ask whether your window runs from the day your supplier is paid, from shipment or from landing, because on a long lead time that choice can matter more than a few weeks on the end. See the process section above.
Can trade finance cover freight, duty and GST?
Some facilities can. The distinction is between a facility sized to your supplier's invoice and one sized to the landed cost, which is the supplier's invoice plus freight, insurance, customs duty and GST. Coverage varies by financier and by deal, so it is something to confirm on each option rather than assume.
It matters more than it sounds. Landed costs arrive at the port, after the facility has already done its job on the supplier's side, and they arrive as cash. A facility that stops at the supplier's invoice can leave you funding the last mile out of the working capital you arranged the facility to protect.
Trade finance vs supply chain finance: what's the difference?
Both get your supplier paid earlier than your cash flow would allow, but they are driven from opposite ends. Trade finance is arranged by you, the buyer, to fund an order you are placing. Supply chain finance is typically a programme a large buyer sets up so its own approved suppliers can be paid early.
The practical read: if you are the one placing orders and you need the stock funded, trade finance is the product you are looking for. If one of your customers is a large corporate and it has invited you into its programme, that is supply chain finance and it is their facility, not yours. The terms are set by whoever owns the programme.
Stop financing your suppliers out of your own pocket.
Tell us the order, the supplier terms and your realistic selling window. We will show you which financiers on our panel have appetite for that trade and what they would do with it, and you decide whether any of it is worth taking.
An enquiry is a conversation, not an application. We won't submit anything to a lender without your say-so.