Wholesale and logistics finance
Finance for wholesalers, distributors, importers and logistics businesses, from paying suppliers to waiting on customers, through a panel of 100+ bank, non-bank and private lenders.
- Stock, imports and suppliers
- Invoice finance for B2B sales
- No obligation
In a nutshell
Wholesale and logistics businesses pay for stock, freight and warehousing long before their customers pay them, often on 30 to 60 day terms. Trade finance pays suppliers here and overseas, invoice finance advances cash against what your customers owe, and the two often work together in one facility that grows with your sales. Non-bank lenders offer these without property security, and decisions on simpler facilities can be as quick as a few hours, depending on the lender.
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AFCA memberPanel of 100+ bank, non-bank and private lendersAt a glance
- Paying suppliers
- Trade finance, up to 180 days
- Waiting on customers
- Invoice finance, often 80% upfront
- Facility size
- Grows with your sales
- Warehouse equipment
- Equipment finance
- Security
- Often the stock and invoices, not property
- Fees
- Vary by lender and business
How wholesale and logistics businesses use finance
Wholesale and logistics businesses sit in the middle of the supply chain. You pay suppliers, freight and warehousing up front, then sell to other businesses on 30 to 60 day terms. The more you grow, the more cash is tied up in stock and unpaid invoices, so a profitable business can still run short of cash.
Most use finance at both ends of that cycle: something to pay suppliers, and something to release cash from customer invoices.
Paying suppliers: trade finance
Trade finance pays your suppliers, here or overseas, and gives you time to repay, often 90 to 180 days, so you can sell the stock before you pay for it. It also lets you place larger orders, take early payment discounts and stock up before busy periods without draining your cash.
Waiting on customers: invoice finance
Invoice finance advances a share of each invoice, often 80%, as soon as you've delivered, with the rest paid, less fees, when your customer pays. Because it's based on your sales ledger, the facility grows as you win more customers. It suits distributors and logistics providers that invoice larger businesses on account.
Trade and invoice finance together
Many lenders offer trade and invoice finance as one facility. Trade finance pays the supplier, you sell the stock and invoice your customer, and invoice finance then repays the trade finance and releases the balance to you. This covers the whole cycle from purchase order to payment.
Warehouse equipment and vehicles
Forklifts, racking, packing equipment, vans and trucks are usually financed with equipment finance or vehicle finance, secured by the asset. For heavier vehicles, see our guide to transport business finance.
What lenders look at
- who your customers are, how reliably they pay and how concentrated your sales are
- your aged debtors, and any disputed or overdue invoices
- your suppliers, margins and how quickly stock turns over
- your trading history and turnover
- any ATO debt and how it's being managed
Eligibility and documents
What lenders usually look for
- An active ABN, and invoices to other businesses on credit terms
- Trading history, usually 6 to 12 months or more
- Monthly invoices or turnover that supports the facility, from about $10,000 a month for invoice finance
- Customers with a reasonable payment history
- A track record of buying stock and selling it on
Documents you may need
- Identification for each director or owner
- Aged debtors and creditors reports from your accounting software
- Supplier quotes, purchase orders or pro forma invoices
- Business bank statements, and for larger facilities, financial statements and BAS
Requirements vary by lender. All lending is subject to each lender's credit criteria and assessment.
What lenders publish for wholesale and logistics businesses
Here's a selection of what lenders publish about products wholesale and logistics businesses use. It isn't a full list of lenders or a ranking.
- ScotPac's trade finance funds up to 100% of order value for up to 150 days, for local and overseas suppliers in most currencies, alongside invoice finance that advances 80% of invoice value upfront for businesses with $10,000 or more in monthly invoices. Profile →
- Fifo Capital's trade finance goes up to $5 million with terms of up to 180 days, for domestic and international suppliers, for businesses trading 12 months or more with $1 million or more in annual turnover. Profile →
- Earlypay's invoice finance runs from $50,000 to $10 million, advancing 80% of invoice value upfront and sometimes up to 90%, and it also offers trade finance to pay suppliers. Profile →
- Shift's Trade Account adds trade terms of up to $500,000 to almost any supplier invoice, which you repay on a date you choose or weekly over up to 20 weeks. Profile →
- Angle Finance offers secured finance for forklifts and other yellow goods, plus trucks up to 12 tonnes GVM and commercial trailers. Profile →
A sample of lenders, as published by each lender, checked 23 October 2026.
Which finance fits which cost?
Paying local or overseas suppliers
- Usual finance option
- Trade finance
- Why it fits
- Pays the supplier now; you repay after you've sold the stock
Waiting 30 to 60 days for customers
- Usual finance option
- Invoice finance
- Why it fits
- Advances cash against invoices and grows with your sales
Both at once
- Usual finance option
- Combined trade and invoice finance
- Why it fits
- One facility covers the whole cycle from order to payment
Forklifts, racking and vehicles
- Usual finance option
- Equipment or vehicle finance
- Why it fits
- Secured by the asset
Seasonal stock build-ups
- Usual finance option
- Line of credit or trade finance
- Why it fits
- Draw for the peak and repay as it sells
| Usual finance option | Why it fits | |
|---|---|---|
| Paying local or overseas suppliers | Trade finance | Pays the supplier now; you repay after you've sold the stock |
| Waiting 30 to 60 days for customers | Invoice finance | Advances cash against invoices and grows with your sales |
| Both at once | Combined trade and invoice finance | One facility covers the whole cycle from order to payment |
| Forklifts, racking and vehicles | Equipment or vehicle finance | Secured by the asset |
| Seasonal stock build-ups | Line of credit or trade finance | Draw for the peak and repay as it sells |
Related guides
Talk to us about wholesale and logistics finance
Tell us what you need and a little about your business. We work with a panel of 100+ bank, non-bank and private lenders and match you with the ones best suited to your business, loan amount and timing.
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- Business finance from $30,000
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FAQs
Questions about wholesale and logistics finance
Most use trade finance to pay suppliers, sometimes alongside invoice finance to release cash from customer invoices. Some use a line of credit or overdraft for smaller, regular purchases.
Yes. Many trade finance facilities pay overseas suppliers, and some fund transactions in most currencies and cover the time stock spends in transit. Banks also offer letters of credit for international trade.
Often not. Trade and invoice finance are usually secured by the stock, your invoices and a general security agreement over the business, with director guarantees, rather than property.
Invoice finance grows with your sales ledger, often advancing about 80% of each invoice. Trade finance facilities range up to $5 million or more with some lenders, depending on your turnover and track record.
Yes. Logistics, freight and warehousing businesses that invoice other businesses on account often use invoice finance to cover wages, fuel and rent while they wait to be paid.
Simpler facilities and trade accounts can be set up quickly, and depending on the lender, decisions can be as quick as a few hours. Larger trade and invoice finance facilities usually take a few days to a couple of weeks.
No. There's no cost to you for our service. We're paid by the lender when your facility settles, and there's no obligation to proceed.
This page is general information only and isn't credit, tax or financial advice. Lender details are taken from each lender's published information, checked 23 October 2026, and can change. All lending is subject to each lender's credit criteria and assessment.