Import/export distributors manage the most complex supply chains in wholesale — international shipping, customs clearance, letters of credit, and currency fluctuations. Between 60-90 day ocean transit times, customs bonds, and the working capital trapped in containers — international traders need capital built for global trade.
This Is Why You're Here
A container of goods from China costs $120K. Ocean transit takes 45 days. Customs clearance takes 10 days. Your customers pay net-30 after delivery. That's $120K tied up for 85 days per container.
Your customs broker requires a $50K bond increase for a new product category. The bond unlocks $300K/year in new import revenue but the cash requirement is immediate.
A European buyer ordered $200K in product for Q4. You need to purchase and consolidate from 3 domestic suppliers, then arrange ocean freight. Total upfront cost: $160K. The buyer pays on delivery.
New tariffs just hit your product category — duties jumped from 8% to 25%. You've got two containers on the water right now worth $240K. Clearing them costs an extra $40K you didn't budget for, and demurrage starts in 5 days.
Your freight forwarder is holding a $95K container at port because your customs broker found a classification error. Re-filing takes 2 weeks and storage fees are $350/day. You need $15K to cover port charges plus $95K to load the next shipment that's already scheduled.
Had $120K tied up in a container from China — 45 days on the water, 10 days customs, then net-30 from my buyer. That's 85 days of dead cash. Basecamp funded the full amount in 3 days so I could load the next container without waiting.
Wei C., Import/Export Trader, Long Beach, CA
Import / Export Financing
Slide the calculator to see your estimated approval range. Then answer 3 quick questions to lock it in. No documents needed. No credit impact.
Built for Your Business
A container from China costs $120K. It sits on a ship for 45 days, clears customs in 10, and your buyer pays net-30 after delivery. That's 85 days of dead cash per container. You can't load the next one until the last one clears — unless you have working capital.
Your broker needs a $50K bond increase for a new product category. That bond unlocks $300K/year in new import revenue. But the cash requirement is immediate and your capital is floating on the Pacific. We fund bonds in days.
The dollar weakened 5% since you placed your order. That $120K container now costs $126K. Your selling price is already locked. That $6K swing comes straight out of your margin. You need capital reserves to absorb currency risk.
New tariffs hit your product category and duties jump from 8% to 25%. That's an extra $20K per container you didn't budget for. The product is already on the water. You need the cash to clear it through customs or it sits at the port racking up demurrage.
What You're Up Against
| Challenge | What It Looks Like | Funding Solution | Amount | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Letter of credit costs | Your overseas supplier requires a $120K letter of credit before production begins. The LC ties up cash or credit for 60–90 days while goods are manufactured and shipped. | Working Capital | $10K–$2M | 1–3 days |
| Customs brokerage and duty fees | New tariffs jumped duties from 8% to 25%. You've got two containers on the water worth $240K. Clearing them costs an extra $40K you didn't budget for and demurrage starts in 5 days. | Working Capital | $10K–$2M | 1–3 days |
| Container pre-payment 30–60 days ahead | You wire $120K to a factory overseas. The container sits on a ship for 45 days. Your buyer pays net-30 after delivery. That's 85 days of dead cash per container. | Business LOC | $10K–$5M | 1–5 days |
| Tariff uncertainty and cost surges | Trade policy shifts overnight. A product category that cost 8% in duties now costs 25%. Your selling price is locked with buyers but your landed cost just jumped $20K per container. | Invoice Factoring | $10K–$5M | 1–2 days |
| International cargo insurance gaps | A $95K container was damaged in transit and your basic coverage only pays 60%. The $38K gap comes out of your pocket while you fight the claim. You still need to fulfill the customer order. | Working Capital | $10K–$2M | 1–3 days |
Pricing Transparency
| Product | Amount | Term | Rate | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trade Finance / LC | $25K–$5M | Per shipment | 1.5-4% per 30 days | 3-7 days |
| Working Capital | $10K–$2M | 3-18mo | 8-22% APR | 1-3 days |
| Business LOC | $10K–$5M | Revolving | 8-24% APR | 1-5 days |
| Invoice Factoring | $10K–$5M | Per invoice | 1-3% per 30 days | 1-2 days |
| Equipment Financing | $10K–$5M | 2-6yr | 5-14% APR | 3-7 days |
Rates vary by credit, revenue, and time in business. These are typical ranges.
These are industry averages. Your actual rate depends on your revenue, credit profile, and time in business — it could be lower. Run your specific numbers in 30 seconds.
Calculate Your Real Cost →Import/export is the longest cash cycle in wholesale — 85 days from purchase to payment on a single container. That $120K sitting on a ship isn't earning you anything. We fund importers so they can load the next container without waiting for the last one to clear.
— Bobby Friel, Basecamp Funding - Founder
How It Works
No paperwork avalanche. No bank lobby. No guessing.
Answer a few quick questions about your business. No documents needed yet.
We check your options with zero impact on your FICO. Your score stays untouched.
Your profile is matched to 70+ lending partners. They compete - you never hear from them directly.
Your funding specialist presents your best options. No spam calls. No runaround.
Choose the rate and terms that fit. Sign digitally. Funds hit your account - same day available.
Import / Export Capital Uses
Bridge the gap between paying suppliers and collecting from customers. Keep operations running.
Fund large inventory buys. Fill purchase orders without draining your cash reserves.
Expand warehouse space, add racking, or purchase a facility with SBA financing.
Finance delivery trucks, vans, and logistics equipment to expand your delivery radius.
Convert net-30/60/90 receivables into cash in 24 hours. Stop waiting on slow-paying customers.
Bridge ocean transit cash gaps. Finance containers, customs bonds, and international freight.
Full Transparency
Most lenders won't tell you this upfront. We will.
Need commercial insurance for your import / export business?
Inventory and warehouse insurance is required for most business loans. InsuranceService365.com covers distribution companies across 29 states.
68% of loan denials happen because of weak financials at time of application. The best time to apply is when your business is performing — not when you're scrambling.
Ready?
Slide the calculator, answer 3 questions, and a specialist pulls your options within the hour.
Click any specialty for tailored financing options.
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Learn More →FAQs
Import/export has the longest cash cycle in wholesale. You wire $120K to a factory in Shenzhen. The container sits on a ship for 45 days. Customs clearance takes another 10. Your buyer pays net-30 after delivery. That's 85 days of dead cash on a single container. And you can't grow if every dollar is floating on the ocean. We fund importers so they can load the next container before the last one clears. That's the difference between running 3 containers a year and running 12.
And the surprises never stop. Tariffs change. Currency swings eat your margin. Your customs broker needs a $50K bond increase. Demurrage charges pile up because you can't clear a container fast enough. Most banks don't touch import/export — too many moving parts. Our 70+ lenders include trade finance specialists who do this daily. $25K customs bond or a $2M trade facility — 60 seconds to apply, no hard pull.
60 seconds. No credit impact. No obligation.
See What You Qualify For →No hard credit pull · Free to check · Nationwide