Quick answer — short summary

Yes. UK Business Loans introduces manufacturers to brokers and specialist lenders that arrange export invoice finance, trade finance, letters of credit, purchase order finance and other solutions for international contracts. Matches and offers depend on your company trading history, buyer credit, contract terms and the country of sale. We are an introducer only — we do not provide loans or regulated financial advice.

Why export invoice & international contract finance matters for manufacturing

Manufacturers often face large upfront costs and long production lead times while their buyers (especially overseas buyers) demand extended payment terms. That gap creates cashflow pressure that can stop production, delay deliveries and restrict growth.

Typical manufacturing scenarios that need export finance:

• Contract manufacturer fulfilling a multi-month international order that requires raw material purchases up front.
• OEM supplying a buyer with 60–120 day payment terms and needing working capital to run the production line.
• Component exporter waiting for documentary collection or overseas buyer payment after shipping.

Without suitable finance you may face:

• Delayed deliveries and penalties on contracts
• Lost opportunities because you can’t commit capacity
• Higher supplier costs if you can’t pay early

What types of export / international contract finance our partners can arrange

Export invoice finance / export factoring

Export factoring lets you draw cash against export invoices before buyers pay. A factor buys or advances against invoices and manages collections (depending on the arrangement).

• How it works: submit export invoices → lender advances a percentage (advance rate) → buyer pays lender → lender remits balance less fees.
• Advance rates: often 70–90% of invoice value (depends on buyer credit and country risk).
• Recourse vs non‑recourse: recourse means you retain some liability; non‑recourse shifts buyer insolvency risk to the factor but costs more.
• Pros: immediate cashflow, simpler than many export loans. Cons: fees, potential impact on buyer relationships if buyer is notified.

Export working capital & short-term loans

Short-term working capital facilities or revolving credit lines can be used to fund production runs for international contracts. Lenders will size facilities to your turnover, contract pipeline and security offered.

• Typical use-case: bridge between purchase of materials and receipt of export payment.
• What lenders look for: contracts, buyer reputation, company accounts and cashflow forecasts.

Purchase order finance & pre‑shipment finance

Purchase order finance provides funding to pay suppliers so you can fulfil a buyer’s order when you lack cash to buy raw materials or components.

• Good for one‑off large export contracts or series production when you need to scale quickly.
• Often structured as supplier payments direct to your vendors, with funds repaid on shipment or invoice.

Letters of credit (LCs) and documentary collections

When buyers or importers want bank-backed payment guarantees, LCs are commonly used. Our partners can help arrange bank services or advise on negotiating LC terms to suit manufacturing timelines.

Trade finance and forfaiting

For large contracts with longer payment terms, forfaiting (selling medium/long-term receivables at a discount) or structured trade finance can remove payment risk and provide immediate cash.

Supplier prepayment & split‑funding

Split-funding arrangements let a lender advance funds to both manufacturer and supplier in agreed proportions. That protects the supply chain and keeps production moving.

Government-backed options — export credit support

There are government export credit and guarantee schemes that can improve access to finance for larger exporters. Brokers in our network can point you to appropriate programmes and lenders who use those guarantees to offer better terms.

Each product has different documentation, pricing and risk allocation. The right choice depends on buyer credit, shipment terms, contract size and how visible you want the financing to be to your buyer.

Who can typically get export invoice & international contract finance? Eligibility & what lenders check

Eligibility is assessed case by case. Common checks include:

• Company trading history and corporate structure (most suppliers with established trading records are considered).
• Annual turnover and existing facility utilisation.
• Buyer creditworthiness and country risk (lenders focus heavily on the buyer when financing export invoices).
• Quality and completeness of export documentation and signed contracts.
• KYC / AML checks, company accounts and bank statements.

Documents you will typically need:

• Signed international sales contract or purchase order
• Pro forma / commercial invoices
• Shipping documents (bill of lading, airway bill)
• Company accounts (last 1–3 years), management accounts and bank statements
• Details of the buyer (company registration, contact details)

Typical costs, advance rates & turnaround

Costs and timings vary by product, buyer country and perceived risk. Expect:

• Advance rates: commonly 70–90% for export factoring; purchase order finance advances may differ depending on vendor costs.
• Fees: a combination of an interest rate (or discount margin) and service/administration fees.
• Turnaround: after a short enquiry you can often receive indicative matches within hours; underwriting and first advance usually take a few days to 1–2 weeks depending on complexity and documentation.

UK Business Loans introduces you to partners who will provide tailored fee schedules and expected timings once they review your details.

Key risks & considerations for manufacturers

Before choosing a solution, consider:

• Currency and FX exposure — who bears translation losses and when are invoices settled?
• Buyer insolvency and political risk in the buyer’s country.
• Export controls and compliance — some goods require licences or face restrictions.
• Impact on buyer relationships — some factoring arrangements require buyer notification.
• Legal jurisdiction and recoverability of debts across borders.
• Accuracy of documentation — errors in shipping or contract paperwork can delay funding.

These matters are discussed with the broker or lender you are matched with so you can compare how different providers manage these risks.

How UK Business Loans helps — our matching process for manufacturers

We simplify the search for export finance by matching you with the lenders and brokers most likely to help your manufacturing business.

1. Complete a short enquiry with basic details (company, turnover, export contract/invoice size and buyer country).
2. We match you to specialist brokers and lenders who understand manufacturing exports.
3. Partners contact you with eligibility feedback and tailored quotes.
4. Compare offers, choose a provider and progress to underwriting — lenders/brokers handle the rest.

Our service is free and no‑obligation — you are under no pressure to accept any offer. We introduce you to specialists who may contact you with quotes. For a quick start, Get Quote Now.

Free Eligibility Check — Get Quote Now

Short manufacturing case examples

Case 1 — Contract manufacturer (export factoring)

A UK contract manufacturer won a £250k export order with 90 day payment terms. Using export factoring they accessed an 85% advance on invoices enabling them to buy materials and run the production line without tapping existing bank facilities. Delivery proceeded on time and the factor collected payment from the overseas buyer.

Case 2 — OEM (purchase order finance + LC)

An OEM secured a multi‑shipment contract to the US. The buyer required a confirmed letter of credit and lengthy supplier lead times meant manufacturers needed cash before shipment. A combined solution of supplier prepayment and LC facility funded raw materials and protected the seller during transit, smoothing cashflow across multiple deliveries.

Both businesses were introduced to specialist partners via a quick enquiry on our platform who provided options within days. Start your enquiry: Get Quote Now.

FAQs — direct answers to the core questions

Can I fund export invoices and international contracts via UK Business Loans partners?

Yes — we introduce manufacturers to brokers and lenders that commonly provide funding for export invoices and international contracts. Eligibility depends on buyer credit, contract terms and destination country.

Do UK Business Loans partners provide financing for export invoices and overseas contracts?

Yes — our partner network includes providers of export factoring, trade finance, purchase order finance, letters of credit support and short-term working capital suitable for exporters.

Is financing for export invoices and international contracts available through UK Business Loans’ partners?

Yes, though offers vary. Submit a short enquiry to receive a free eligibility check and be matched to partners who can give you tailored quotes.

Other common questions

• Will the buyer know? Some products (like notified factoring) inform buyers; others (confidential factoring, some loan facilities) do not. Discuss this with the matched partner.
• How soon will funds arrive? After underwriting, first advances can be achieved in days for straightforward cases; complex international transactions may take longer.
• Can start‑ups access export finance? New exporters can be eligible if buyers are creditworthy and sufficient security/documentation exists, but underwriting is stricter.

How to get started — Free eligibility check & fast quotes

Ready to explore options? Our short enquiry takes under two minutes. We’ll ask for:

• Company name and turnover (yearly)
• Type of funding needed (invoice finance, PO finance, LC support etc.)
• Export contract / invoice value
• Buyer country / buyer details
• Contact name and phone/email

Complete a Free Eligibility Check and we’ll match you with lenders or brokers that specialise in manufacturing export finance: Get Started — Free Eligibility Check.

Related reading

For more sector-specific options see our manufacturing business loans guidance on manufacturing business loans.

Compliance & transparency notice

Important: UK Business Loans acts as an introducer. We do not lend money or provide regulated financial advice. When you submit an enquiry we will share basic information with selected lenders and brokers who may contact you with offers. Submitting an enquiry is free and will not affect your credit score. Minimum arranged facilities typically start from around £10,000 and above.