What is Contract-Backed Trade Finance?
In international trade, liquidity gaps often occur between signing a sales contract and receiving payment. Contract-backed trade finance fills that gap. It allows companies to secure short-term funding against purchase orders, confirmed sales contracts, or offtake agreements with creditworthy buyers. This type of financing ensures that exporters and distributors can fulfill obligations without straining their own working capital.
How Contract-Backed Trade Finance Works
The financing is structured around the strength of the buyer’s commitment. A lender advances funds (typically 70–85% of the contract value) against the purchase order or contract. The exporter or distributor uses those funds to pay suppliers, cover logistics, or finance production. Once the buyer pays the invoice, the facility is settled, and the transaction closes.
Because repayment depends on the buyer’s payment rather than the seller’s balance sheet alone, this tool is particularly powerful for companies that are asset-light but have strong demand pipelines.
Example:
An African exporter secures a $6m purchase order for cashew shipments from a European distributor. The exporter arranges $4.5m in contract-backed financing to pay farmers and shipping agents. When the European distributor settles the invoice, the financing is repaid, allowing the exporter to repeat the cycle with minimal cash strain.
Why Businesses Use It
- Liquidity when needed:
Receive funds as soon as contracts are signed.
- Scalable with sales:
Larger order book means more financing capacity.
- Risk-sharing:
Lenders assess the buyer’s creditworthiness, reducing reliance on the seller’s balance sheet.
- Operational flexibility:
Finance suppliers, logistics, and production without waiting for customer payment.
Industry Applications
Contract-backed trade finance is widely used in commodities, agriculture, manufacturing, and distribution. Exporters in Africa, Asia, and Latin America often rely on it to bridge seasonal cash flow gaps, while distributors in developed markets apply it to manage large supply contracts without increasing bank debt.
This structure is not a permanent balance sheet solution but a revolving tool that keeps trade moving. For businesses handling recurring contracts, it can make the difference between turning down orders and scaling sustainably.
Arrange Contract-Backed Trade Finance
Financely underwrites and distributes contract-backed trade finance facilities through our global lender network. Submit your contracts and receive a preliminary term sheet tailored to your transaction.
Contact Us
Financely acts as an arranger and advisor. All transactions are subject to counterparty due diligence, lender approval, and compliance requirements. Terms and advance rates depend on contract size, jurisdiction, and buyer creditworthiness.