Trade Finance.

We help Australian importers and product-based businesses access flexible funding to cover supplier costs, stock purchases, and supply chain gaps — even before goods are delivered.

✅  Finance for local or international trade
✅  Borrow from $20K to $2M
✅  Terms from 30 to 180 days

What is trade finance?

Trade finance helps your business pay suppliers earlier or on time, even if your customers haven’t paid you yet or the stock hasn’t arrived. It’s commonly used by Australian importers, wholesalers, retailers, and manufacturers to bridge cash flow gaps between paying for goods and receiving income from sales.

You get access to a facility that pays your supplier directly — local or international — and then you repay the lender once goods are sold or customer payment is received.

We help you compare lenders that specialise in trade finance and offer loan terms that match your business journey.

What are the main benefits?

✅  Pay suppliers without draining cash reserves
✅  Fund inventory before it’s sold
✅  No need to wait for customer payments or invoice settlements
✅  Strengthen supplier relationships with prompt payment
✅  Works for both international and domestic trade

Trade finance at a glance

Use Cases
Pay local or overseas suppliers for goods
Facility Size
$20,000 – $2,000,000
Term Length
30 to 180 days
Repayments
Lump sum at end of term or staged
Security
Often unsecured for smaller limits
Time to Fund
3–7 business days from approval
Ideal for
Importers, wholesalers, retailers, manufacturers

Who is it for?

✅  Importers needing to pay for stock before arrival
✅  Wholesalers managing 60–120 day trade cycles
✅  E-commerce or retail businesses restocking in advance
✅  Australian SMEs buying from overseas factories or local suppliers
✅  Manufacturers paying upfront for raw materials

Is my business eligible?

You’re likely to be eligible if:
✅  You’ve been trading for at least 12-24 months
✅  You have at least $500K in annual sales
✅  You issue or receive purchase orders for stock or goods
✅  You can demonstrate how the loan will be repaid (e.g., sales, invoices, LCs)
✅  You are an Australian citizen or permanent resident
✅  You hold an active ABN or ACN

📌 Not sure if you qualify? Let’s talk — we’ll guide you through your options.

Eligible?
Let's get started.

Let us help you find the right trade finance for your business — with support from real lending experts.

Compare Trade Finance vs Invoice Finance vs Business Loans

Feature
Trade Finance
Invoice Finance
Business Loan
Best for
Paying suppliers upfront
Unlocking cash from unpaid invoices
General purpose business funding
Repayment timing
End of trade cycle (30–180 days)
When invoice is paid
Weekly or monthly instalments
Security
Often unsecured for smaller limits
Invoices used as security
May require asset or property security
Interest rates
Flat monthly fee (1.25%–2.5%)
1%–4% of invoice value
10%–20% p.a. interest depending on lender
Use of funds
Stock, supplier payments
Working capital from receivables
Any approved business purpose

What are the fees & costs?

Trade finance costs vary depending on the lender and your business profile. Fees are set by each lender, and we’ll walk you through all your options before you make a decision. Here’s what to expect:

Interest rates: Typically 1.25%–2.5% of the loaned amount per 30-day cycle (e.g. $25,000 for 90 days = 3.75% total cost)
Transaction fees: May apply for each supplier payment (flat fee or %)
Other fees: If using for imports, FX costs may apply
Early repayments: No penalties — and you only pay fees for days used.

We'll walk you through all the options - with no surprises.

How do I compare offers from different lenders?

If you have trade finance offers from more than one lender, deciding which one is the best fit for your business comes down to more than the interest rate. You need to take into account the following details in reaching your decision:

1. Monthly fee or interest rate structure
2. Max limit based on trading history
3. Whether funding is staged or up front
4. Supplier payment options (domestic vs offshore)
5. Currency support and FX conversion costs
6. Repayment flexibility if goods are delayed
7. Setup time and documentation required

We do all the legwork for you — comparing offers, negotiating terms and helping you make a confident decision.

Why work with a broker like Splendid?

Finding the right business finance isn’t always easy. Every lender has different approval criteria, fees, and repayment structures. We work for you — not the lenders.

We compare multiple lender offers

We explain the fine print

We negotiate on your behalf

We help you make the right decision - with confidence

What are the steps involved?

1️⃣  We assess your needs and gather your business profile information.

2️⃣  If you decide to proceed, we send you a Personal Privacy Consent for signature then ask you to provide required documents such as invoices or purchase orders and bank statements.

3️⃣  We analyse your business cashflow and shortlist the right-fit products and lenders based on your goals and profile.

4️⃣  We structure & present the deal to matched lenders for pre-approval.

5️⃣  Once we obtain pre-approval(s) we will discuss the available options with you in detail.

6️⃣  You choose the option you're happy with and we will kick-off a formal application with the lender.

7️⃣  If the lender approves the facility, they will send you the rates and key terms

8️⃣  If you are happy with the lender's offer, you sign the loan documents they send you

9️⃣  The lender pays your supplier directly.

FAQs

Is trade finance a loan?

Not exactly. It’s a short-term working capital facility that pays your supplier on your behalf. You repay the lender once the goods are sold, delivered, or your customer pays.

Can I use trade finance if I’m importing goods?

Yes — trade finance is especially useful for international imports. The lender pays your overseas supplier, and you repay once the goods are received or sold locally.

Do I need to secure the facility with property?

Not necessarily — many trade finance facilities are unsecured, especially for limits under $250K. The transaction, goods, and your trading history are used to assess risk.

What happens if there are delays in my shipment?

Many lenders allow extensions for shipping delays — and will work with you if you’re transparent. We can help negotiate flexibility based on your supply chain risk.

How is this different from invoice finance?

Trade finance helps you pay suppliers before you get the goods. Invoice finance helps you unlock cash from customers after the goods are delivered.

Can I use this for local supplier payments?

Yes — trade finance works for domestic supply chains too, especially if you need upfront stock for large wholesale or retail orders.

Does this affect my credit score?

We do not perform credit checks. However, lenders we present your deal to may conduct soft credit checks. If you choose to proceed to an application with a particular lender, the lender will run a full check.

Ready to get started?

Let us help you find the right trade finance for your business — with support from real lending experts.