SBA Financing for Exporting

For those small businesses considering exporting outside the U.S., the SBA and several other government agencies offer special financing programs. Note, however, that while exporting may offer tremendous market potential for certain small companies, there will be additional research and preparation expenses necessary for developing and implementing an international business plan.

Among the additional considerations that may affect your costs include: multinational legal compliance (labeling, packaging, product safety and liability laws, etc.), additional promotional material for different countries and languages, transportation costs for product/service delivery and personnel travel, and obtaining any required export licenses. Help in preparing your plan, and in finding more information about exporting, can be obtained through federal SBA and Department of Commerce assistance programs, state commerce departments, local chambers of commerce, international trade associations, export management and trade companies, and private consulting firms.

The SBA's financing programs include:

• the Export Working Capital Programs
• the International Loan Program