How To Get Working Capital Facilities for US Exporters

How To Get Working Capital Facilities for US Exporters

How To Get Working Capital Facilities for US Exporters

If you sell abroad and need cash to buy, build, or ship, lenders will ask the same hard questions every time. Do you have verifiable export orders, bankable buyers, and a clean path from production to payment. Here is what gets a yes, what collateral counts, and the exact checklist that credit teams use.

Outcome: a lender-ready export revolver with clear advance rates on receivables and inventory, lockbox control, and support from the right US programs when needed.

Who Qualifies Fast

US exporter with real orders
POs or contracts, Incoterms stated, shipping windows, and named foreign buyers.
Clean compliance
OFAC, sanctions, and export control ready. Country, buyer, and goods are allowed.
Control of cash
Willing to set a lockbox, assignment of proceeds on LCs, and a borrowing base with ineligibles.
US content and shipping
Meets program rules on US origination and shipment when using EXIM or SBA support.

Common Working Capital Routes

Export AR and inventory revolver
Line secured by eligible foreign receivables and export-related inventory with a monthly borrowing base.
EXIM-backed working capital
Commercial lender issues the line with a US guarantee that supports higher advance rates on export AR and inventory.
SBA Export Working Capital
For smaller exporters that need a transactional or revolving facility tied to specific export orders.
PO finance bridge
Short bridge against confirmed export POs, often used before the AR line begins to revolve.

What Collateral Counts and Typical Advance Ranges

Collateral Typical advance range Notes
Foreign AR eligible under the borrowing base 80% to 90% Higher when LC-backed or insured, lower with concentration or aging issues.
Export-related inventory 50% to 75% Raw and WIP often carry lower rates than finished goods ready to ship.
Domestic AR not tied to export 70% to 85% Usually included only if the lender offers a blended ABL.
Standby LC capacity Case by case Used for bid, performance, or advance guarantees linked to exports.

Ranges move with buyer quality, product risk, controls, and whether a US program guarantee or trade credit insurance is in place.

The Lender Checklist

Item What credit wants to see What you send
Export evidence Real POs or contracts, Incoterms, shipment dates, and values Copies of POs or SPAs, pro forma invoices, delivery schedules
Buyer quality Credit profile, track record, and country risk that pass Buyer list with limits, financials if available, insurance policy or LC terms
Borrowing base discipline Ineligibles defined, aging under control, low dilution AR aging, inventory reports, historical dilution and write-offs
Cash control Lockbox or blocked account, assignment of proceeds on export LCs Bank account list, proposed lockbox, sample LC wording with assignment clause
Perfection of liens First-priority security on AR and inventory, clean UCC position UCC searches, landlord waivers, intercreditor drafts if another lender exists
Compliance OFAC, sanctions, export control, and denied party checks cleared KYC pack, ECCN or ITAR status if relevant, end-use statements
Program fit Meets rules for EXIM or SBA guarantees when used US content, shipping from US, and any required certifications
Financials Audited or reviewed statements, real margins, positive trend or clear plan Two to three years financials, current interims, projections tied to orders

Controls That Move the Needle

Trade credit insurance or LC pay
Insured foreign AR or LC-backed collections reduce loss severity and support better advance rates.
Shipping and docs discipline
Accurate drafts, clean bills of lading, inspection where needed, and swift presentation to keep cash cycling.
Forecast and covenant headroom
A weekly 13-week cash view and a model that shows borrowing base coverage and compliance under stress.
Collateral audits ready
Systems and reports that pass field exams. Clear SKUs, lot control, and reconciliations.

Pricing and Timing Snapshots

Item Typical range What drives it
All-in cost over base Market based Collateral quality, buyer mix, guarantee support, size
Upfront and legal Arrangement, legal, field exam, filings Scope of diligence, number of jurisdictions
Speed to close 2 to 6 weeks File quality, audits, program approvals, intercreditor needs

Step by Step to Funding

1) Intake
Send POs or contracts, buyer list, AR aging, inventory report, KYC, and last two years financials.
2) Structure
Pick export revolver, EXIM or SBA support if helpful, set lockbox and borrowing base rules.
3) Term sheet
Advance rates, covenants, reserves, audit cadence, pricing, and closing calendar.
4) Funding
Complete field exam, file UCC, execute accounts control, implement borrowing base reporting, draw.

What To Send Today

Document Purpose
POs or export contracts with Incoterms Defines collateral source and timing
Buyer list with concentrations Sets limits and ineligibles
AR aging and top 20 buyers Tests aging and dilution
Inventory detail by SKU and stage Supports export-related advances
Insurance or LC terms Improves advance rates and collections certainty
KYC and export control status Clears compliance steps early
Ready to put a real export facility in place. Send your orders, buyer list, AR aging, inventory report, and bank names. We will return a lender map, advance rate targets, and a closing calendar that matches your shipping dates. We help our clients capitalize on opportunities.

Apply for an Export Working Capital Line

Share your export file and timelines. We will assess feasibility and move to terms.

Start the Process

Guidance here is general and subject to lender credit policies and US program rules. Any facility requires due diligence, export control compliance, KYC and sanctions screening, perfected security interests, and executed documentation.

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