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Financing Your Business: International Trade

Sources of finance to start or maintain your business from grants to loans and investors.

Federal and State Finance Programs for U.S. Exporters

  • Federal and State finance programs have been created to primarily support U.S. exporters.
  • The U.S. Small Business Administration has a number of export finance programs.
    • Export Express Loans of up to $500,000 are usually approved within 36 hours.
    • Export Working Capital Loans, up to a maximum of $5 million and approved with 10 days, give a U.S. exporter flexibility in negotiating favorable terms with a potential foreign customer.
    • International Trade loans of up to $5 million allow exporters to make structural improvements to their business operations.
  • The Export-Import Bank of the United States offers a variety of finance programs to U.S. exporters and their foreign customers as well as export credit insurance to protect U.S. exporters against non-payment by foreign buyers and will also insure foreign letters of credit.
  • State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grants are U.S. Small Business Administration funds which are distributed via most U.S. states to exporters for expenses to improve their export potential such as participating in foreign trade missions arranged by the U.S. Commercial Service, translating their website into one or more foreign languages or adding purchasing and payment options to their website.
    • In New York State, these grants are administered by Global NY.
  • New York Global Grant Fund provides grants and loans to the state's small and medium sized businesses to go global.