Financial Resources
Handling Money Overseas

If you buy or sell items internationally, the common way to pay for them is through wire transfers, done at your local bank. Some people use the term "T/T" (for telegraphic transfer) - but it's all the same thing. Your bank (or your overseas customer/vendor) needs the following:

  • Swift number - the bank's ID
  • Bank name
  • Routing number for the bank account Bank account number
  • Currency being sent or received (i.e. Euros, dollars, etc)
  • Account Holder's name and address
  • Bank's IBAN number if you are dealing with Euros

If you need to look up a Swift number (also called a BIC - bank identifier code), go to https://transferwise.com/us/swift-codes/. Select BIC directory and enter the bank name.

If you need to look up an IBAN number, go to http://www.ecbs.org/iban.htm and click on Country Information

SBA Export Working Capital Program

The SBA Export Working Capital Program provides loan guarantees for one to three years to finance exports. Participants must have been in business at least one year, but can be new to exporting. The bank loan can be used for:

  • Pre-shipment working capital
  • Post-shipment exposure coverage
  • Performance on a foreign contract
  • A standby letter of credit to support a performance bond.

This program work like a regular SBA loan, so you need to contact a participating lender.

Loans are up to $2 million, with express processing for loans up to $250,000. Click here for more information.

Loans and Export Credit Insurance

The Export-Import Bank of the United States is the official export credit agency of the U.S. They have three programs to encourage exports:

  • Pre-Export Working Capital Guarantee (1 to 3 years)
  • Medium and Long Term Loan Guarantees (up to 10 years)
  • Export Credit Insurance. This insures you against nonpayment by the buyer due to most commercial and political risks. There are four types of credit insurance
  • Multi-buyer (up to 1 year)
  • Small business (up to 1 year) - for small business exporters
  • Single buyer (up to 1 year)
  • Medium term (up to 5 years and under $10 million)

For further information, contact the Export-Import Bank at:

Southwest Regional Office 1880 South Dairy Ashford II, Suite 405 Houston, TX 77077 (281) 721-0465

You can also visit their website at http://www.exim.gov/smallbusiness/ for more information about credit insurance and export loans.

Agricultural Exporters: USDA Export Credit Guarantee Program

The USDA Commodity Credit Program guarantees commercial financing of US agricultural exports. Click here for more information.