How Trade Loan Works: Enquiry to Funding

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1. Tell us about the order (about 60 seconds)
The amount, what it's for — a supplier deposit, a balance, border costs, an export order — your state and a few questions about the business. No credit check when you first enquire.
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2. A real person reads it and calls you
Someone who understands deposits, landed costs and payment terms looks at your enquiry and rings to fill in the picture: supplier or buyer terms, lead times, how and when the stock sells.
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3. We map the gap together
How much cash leaves before sales come back, and for how long. That tells us whether a line of credit, an unsecured facility sized on turnover, or property-secured funding fits best.
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4. You choose whether to go ahead
We explain the realistic options, what each would need and what it would cost for your situation. Only if you decide to proceed do documents and a credit check come in.
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5. Documents, approval and funds
We tell you exactly what's needed — typically bank statements, ID and details of the order or property. Once approved, funds go to your account so you can pay suppliers, freight or border costs on your own timing.

Why we start with the gap, not the loan

Most funding conversations start with "how much do you want?" Ours starts with the order: when money leaves, when it comes back and how long it's out. An importer paying a 30% deposit, a balance before shipment and then duty and GST at the border has a very different need from an exporter waiting 90 days for an overseas buyer — even if the dollar amount is the same. Mapping the gap first means the facility fits the way your business trades.

You can do some of that mapping yourself before you call. The landed cost and funding gap calculator shows the cash needed at each stage of an import order, and the import cash timeline planner turns it into dates.

What we'll ask you

What the money is for — deposit, balance, border costs, stock, an export order or a mix.
The order's value and your supplier's (or buyer's) payment terms.
How long production, shipping and selling usually take.
Your business's turnover and how long it's been trading.
Whether you own residential or commercial property.

Please answer the form accurately. It's the difference between a first call that gets straight to the right option and one that has to start again.

Common questions

Does enquiring affect my credit score?

No. There's no credit check when you first enquire. We only raise a credit check once you've chosen to go ahead with a particular option.

Will my details be sent to lots of lenders?

No. Your enquiry isn't sprayed across a panel of lenders. One person works on your situation and matches it properly.

What should I have handy for the first call?

Nothing formal. It helps to know the order value, your supplier's deposit and balance terms (or your buyer's payment terms), rough freight and duty, when the stock sells, your approximate turnover and whether you own property.

Can the funds be paid straight to my overseas supplier?

Generally funds are paid to your business account, and you pay suppliers through your own bank or international payment provider. That keeps control of the exchange-rate timing with you.

What if my situation isn't straightforward?

That's normal in trade. Past credit issues and ATO debt are considered case by case, and property security can open up options. Tell us accurately what's going on and we'll be straight about what's realistic.

Do you publish rates?

No. Every facility is priced on the business's circumstances. You'll get the actual figures for your situation before you commit.

Start my 60-second enquiry →

How it works