Trade Finance

Trade Finance
for Importers

OAKRG connects importers with letters of credit, import loans, and working capital facilities to fund international purchases and protect cross-border transactions — from $1M to $100M+.

Start the Conversation What We Do
$1M–$100M+
Per Transaction
60+ Countries
Supplier Jurisdictions
Global
USA, Canada & International
Capital Solutions

How We Help

OAKRG connects companies with private investors, family offices, and institutional capital. We structure the right solution and make the right introductions.

01

Letters of Credit (LC)

Issue documentary letters of credit to overseas suppliers, giving them payment assurance while protecting you against non-delivery or non-conforming goods.

02

Import Loans

Short-term import financing to fund the purchase of goods in transit — from factory to warehouse. Repay when you sell the inventory.

03

Banker's Acceptances

Time drafts accepted and guaranteed by a bank — a common instrument for extending payment terms on import transactions.

04

Trust Receipts

Finance goods after they arrive in your warehouse — borrow against the inventory value while goods are held in trust pending sale.

05

Supply Chain Financing

Extend payment terms with your overseas suppliers while they receive early payment — improving terms for both parties.

06

Multi-Currency Facilities

Finance imports in USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, CNY and other major currencies — reduce FX risk and simplify supplier relationships.

Who We Serve

Clients & Use Cases

We work across sectors, stages, and geographies — connecting the right businesses with the right capital at the right time.

Consumer Goods Importers

Finance large seasonal purchase orders from Asian, European, and Latin American manufacturers.

Industrial Equipment

Trade finance for heavy machinery, industrial equipment, and components sourced internationally.

Commodity Traders

Structured trade finance for bulk commodity imports — energy, metals, agricultural products.

Electronics & Technology

Import financing for electronics components, finished devices, and semiconductor products.

Food & Agricultural

Finance food commodity imports, perishables, and agricultural raw material purchases.

Pharmaceutical

Trade finance for pharmaceutical API imports, medical device sourcing, and healthcare supply chains.

Our Process

How OAKRG Works

A disciplined, relationship-driven process. We don't blast deals — we make curated introductions to capital sources with active mandates matching your need.

01

Transaction Review

We review your import structure — supplier country, commodity, buyer and seller terms, and transaction volume — to identify the most suitable trade finance instrument.

02

Lender & Bank Matching

We introduce your deal to trade finance banks, private credit funds, and specialist trade finance lenders from our global network.

03

Facility Structuring

We help structure the facility terms — advance rates, tenor, security arrangements, and documentation — to fit your import cycle.

04

Close & Ongoing Support

We support the facility closing and remain available as your import volumes grow and your facility needs evolve.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Trade finance for importers refers to financial instruments that fund the purchase of goods from overseas suppliers — bridging the gap between placing an order and receiving and selling the goods. Key instruments include letters of credit (LCs), import loans, documentary collections, and supply chain finance facilities.
A letter of credit (LC) is a bank guarantee issued to your overseas supplier, promising payment upon presentation of specified shipping documents (bill of lading, invoice, packing list, etc.). The LC de-risks the transaction for the supplier, enabling them to ship goods they might otherwise withhold. For importers, an LC allows you to negotiate better pricing and terms from suppliers who trust bank guarantees more than open account.
An import loan is short-term debt that funds the purchase and importation of goods, typically repaid when the goods are sold. Import loans are usually structured as 30–180 day facilities, with the goods themselves (or the invoice from their subsequent sale) as security. They bridge the cash flow gap between paying a supplier and receiving payment from your customers.
A documentary collection is a lower-cost alternative to a letter of credit where the exporter's bank sends shipping documents to the importer's bank, releasing them only upon payment (Documents against Payment, D/P) or acceptance of a bill of exchange (Documents against Acceptance, D/A). It offers less protection than an LC but is cheaper and faster.
LC issuance fees typically range from 0.5% to 2% of the LC value, plus bank charges. Import loan rates vary from 4% to 10% per annum depending on the lender, importer creditworthiness, goods type, and country of origin. Specialist trade finance lenders may charge higher rates for higher-risk supply chains.
Yes, though minimum transaction sizes and eligibility criteria vary. Many specialist trade finance lenders work with importers from $500K in annual import volume. Letters of credit can be issued for individual transactions from as low as $50K. OAKRG works with importers from $1M to $100M+ in annual import value.
Trade finance is specifically designed for international goods transactions — importing or exporting — and is secured against the goods or documents in transit. Working capital finance is broader, covering domestic receivables, inventory, and general operating expenses. Trade finance instruments like LCs and import loans are not typically available through standard working capital lenders.
Most physical goods can be financed: commodities (metals, agricultural products, energy), consumer goods, industrial equipment, electronics, and raw materials. Some lenders restrict financing for goods from specific countries (OFAC-sanctioned jurisdictions) or certain high-risk commodity types.
Setting up a letter of credit facility with a bank takes 2–6 weeks for established businesses with a credit history. Specialist trade finance lenders can often move faster — 1–3 weeks — for well-documented transactions. Individual LC issuances once a facility is in place typically take 24–72 hours.
Supply chain finance for importers typically refers to programmes that allow buyers to extend payment terms to overseas suppliers while giving those suppliers early payment through a financier. This improves the importer's DPO (days payable outstanding) — effectively lengthening how long they hold cash before paying — while keeping suppliers happy.
Yes. OAKRG works with importers across Canada, Australia, Southeast Asia, and the UK to arrange letters of credit, import loans, and documentary collection facilities with specialist trade finance banks and alternative lenders. We work on transactions from $1M to $100M+.
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Finance Your Next
Import Transaction

Tell us about your import business and sourcing needs. OAKRG connects importers with the right trade finance facilities from $1M to $100M+.

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