Financing Options For Entrepreneurs In The Import Business

Entrepreneurs who want to break into the import business will face various hardships. Establishing their name and getting the trust and loyalty of new customers and suppliers are just two of the challenges they need to face and successfully overcome.

Getting sufficient funds or money to support the start and ongoing operations of their import business can also be hard as well. In the import business, you need to have the means to pay your supplier.

The good news is that there are various options entrepreneurs can consider when they are looking for ways to finance their import business. These options include:

Accounts receivable factoring. Under this financing option, your company's accounts receivables would be sold to either an accounts receivable financing company, a commercial finance company, or a bank at a discount of 80 to 90 percent of their face value. In return, the factoring company would give you a check wherein a fee of two to three percent has already been deducted. You can then use this money for import financing. When you factor accounts receivables, it is now called an asset-based loan.

Purchase order financing. This financing solution is quite similar to factoring accounts receivable. Under this option, you would assign or sell your purchase orders to a bank or commercial finance company. This company will then take over all the processes that involve billing and collecting money from your customers. Once your products are delivered, your customers will pay the bank or commercial finance company. A portion of this payment will be allocated to the financing company and the remainder will be given to you. In general, purchase order financing costs more than traditional bank loans. However, if you are unsuccessful with getting a loan, this is an option you have to consider.

Inventory financing. Under this financing solution, you would use the current inventory of your present business to get a loan. This loan will enable you to buy the goods from suppliers abroad that your customers have been waiting for. With this option, you will be able to increase your inventory without adversely affecting your cash flow. Banks and financing companies offer three types of inventory financing: floor planning, blanket inventory lien, and field warehousing.

In the importing business (and most types of business), you need to come up with answers to difficult operational problems. By choosing the most suitable import financing option, you can overcome this challenge successfully.



 By Danica I Bridges


Article Source: Financing Options For Entrepreneurs In The Import Business