Import Finance Broker

Specialist import finance advisory for UK businesses

/ FCA Registered

Reference: 729876

Who Are Mill Wood Finance?

Since 1999 we have been helping UK importers access specialist trade finance facilities, working with businesses that rely on overseas suppliers and need funding structured around their supply chain.

Our Ethos

At Mill Wood Finance, we take the time to understand how your importing cycle works before recommending a facility. Our advice is shaped by what your business needs, not what suits any single lender.

Our Services

We work independently of the lenders we place business with, giving us access to specialist trade finance providers that many importers would not find on their own. Our role is to match your business with the right facility and manage the process from application through to completion.

Protect your working capital

Importing products is not without significant financial challenges; cash flow being among the most pressing.

Mill Wood Finance help UK businesses to access specialist Import Finance, designed to bridge the cash flow gap associated with importing products.

By working with a panel of specialist import finance lenders, we can help to structure funding solutions that allow importers to pay suppliers and to manage shipping timelines.

Import Finance Specialists

If you have been told by your bank that they cannot help with import finance, or if you are finding that standard lending products do not fit the way your business trades internationally, you are not alone.

High street lenders often struggle with the complexities and nuances of import finance. From the cross-border risk to the associated custom taxes, import finance isn’t a a straightforward process.

By working with a specialist import finance broker such as Mill Wood Finance, we work with you and the lender to provide the most suitable financing options for your importing requirements. We do so by:

Understanding your supply chain, such as your supplier payment terms, shipping schedules and customer payment cycles.
Structure the right funding facility for your business and trading requirements
Negotiate across a wide panel of lenders to access the most competitive terms
Help to prepare the necessary documentation for a seamless finance application; helping you to access the funds without unnecessary admin delays

What is import finance?

Import finance is a form of trade finance designed for businesses that buy goods from overseas suppliers. It covers the funding gap between having to pay a supplier, often before goods have shipped, and receiving payment from your own customers after the goods have arrived and been sold.

Facilities are typically structured around the specific trading cycle of the business. Depending on your requirements, import finance can include purchase order finance, where the lender pays the supplier on your behalf against a confirmed order, or letters of credit, which provide a bank-backed guarantee of payment that gives overseas suppliers the confidence to ship goods. In some cases, import finance works alongside an invoice finance facility so that the funding cycle is covered from supplier payment through to customer collection.

For businesses importing regularly, having the right facility in place means stock levels can be maintained and supplier relationships protected. An experienced import finance broker can help structure a facility that fits the way your business trades.

Key considerations before applying for import finance

Before you apply for import finance, it is important to understand what the lenders will usually assess:

Your trading history
Recent and historic financial performance
Supplier relationships and associated trading terms
Order volumes
Margins
Shipping and logistics timelines
Customer payment terms

As part of our brokering service, Mill Wood Finance help to present this business information to lenders in a clear and structured manner.

Why work with an import finance broker?

Import finance is a specialist area of commercial lending. Not every lender offers an import finance facility, and those who do have varying appetites for the risk and international exposure involved.

Working with a broker such as Mill Wood Finance gives you access to specialist trade finance lenders who understand international supply chains. We identify which facilities are suitable for your business and handle the documentation involved. The finance is structured around your specific trading cycles so that payments align with how your business operates.

We connect UK importers with specialist lenders who understand international trade.

FAQs

How does import finance work?

Import finance provides funding to cover the cost of goods purchased from overseas suppliers. The lender pays your supplier on your behalf, either directly or through a letter of credit, and you repay the lender once you have received payment from your own customers. The facility is structured around your specific trading cycle so that the timing of payments matches how your business actually operates.

What is the difference between import finance and trade finance?

Trade finance is a broad term that covers any funding related to buying or selling goods, both domestically and internationally. Import finance is a specific type of trade finance focused on businesses that buy goods from overseas suppliers. It addresses the particular cash flow challenges of paying overseas suppliers in advance and managing the documentation and logistics involved in cross-border trade.

Can import finance be used alongside other funding facilities?

Yes. Import finance is often used alongside invoice finance or asset-based lending. The import finance facility covers the cost of purchasing goods from your supplier, and the invoice finance facility releases cash against the invoices you raise once those goods are sold to your customers. This combination can fund the full cycle from the initial purchase through to receiving payment from your customer.

Is Mill Wood Finance regulated?

Yes. Mill Wood Finance Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for its credit broking activities. Our Firm Reference Number is 729876 and can be verified on the FCA register. We have been operating since 1999.

Speak to a specialist broker in import finance

Whether you are importing for the first time and need a facility in place, or you are an established importer looking to improve your current funding arrangements, we are happy to discuss your situation. You can book a meeting directly using the calendar below, visit us at our Brighton office, call us on 01273 523690 or email info@millwoodfinance.com.