Exportaid - Export Trade Avice

Instant money comes at a very high price. Exportaid is not affiliated with any company who provides easy loans because they are generally offered at a high cost to our customers. We recommend that you first take the advice of a currency specialist from your own bank. They will be able to talk you through the various options that may be open to you.

Getting paid for international transactions sometimes takes longer than anticipated, so first you need to plan payment delay into your cash flow forecasts, and second you need to talk to your bank about the bridging facilities that they may offer. For example, there are circumstances in which for a fee you can negotiate early payment from your bank for a Letter of Credit.  So talk to them.

Our own experience shows we have had more bad payers from our domestic market than from overseas. Thankfully the numbers are very small, but the message is a powerful one.  While it is natural for people to trust what is pshycologically close and mistrust what is pshycologically distant, there are as many dangers close to home as there are elsewhere in the world.

There are many tools available to help companies minimise the risk of exposure in international markets. Match the terms of payment you offer to suit the perceived degree of risk in dealing with clients, new and old. These can be amended according to performance, as we did many years ago with a Turkish client. Our terms started with advance payment only, but as the relationship developed we were able to offer more flexible terms in order to generate and expand business opportunities. There are notable exceptions, but as a general rule, if your Insurers are not happy with a business risk, then neither should you be!