Export Invoice Finance

Export invoice finance lets a UK business borrow against invoices to overseas customers. The provider checks the overseas customer's credit, usually through a partner in that country, and advances part of each invoice: up to 95% at Bibby and up to 95% at HSBC, on their published figures. Minimum turnover varies a lot: HSBC asks for £1m.

A way to borrow against invoices to overseas customers. Bibby and HSBC both say they work with exporters; advance rates and currencies vary by provider, so compare quotes. More detail + scope

This page covers

How export invoice finance works step by step, currencies, overseas collections, and which UK providers say they offer it

Not covered here

Domestic invoice finance guides, individual provider reviews, detailed cost breakdowns

How Export Factoring Works

  1. 1.You invoice your overseas customer in their local currency or GBP.
  2. 2.The UK factor checks your customer's credit via their overseas correspondent.
  3. 3.They advance part of the invoice value, in sterling or in the invoice currency depending on how the facility is set up.
  4. 4.The overseas correspondent collects payment in the local jurisdiction.
  5. 5.You receive the balance minus fees and, if the advance was converted to sterling, any exchange-rate difference.

UK Providers That Say They Offer Export Finance

ProviderAdvance rate (published)Minimum turnoverWhat their site says
BibbyUp to 95%Not publishedDedicated export finance product and a foreign exchange service (source)
HSBCUp to 95%£1mFinance in sterling, euro, US dollars or most other major currencies, for export and UK sales (source)

Advance rates and minimums are each provider's published figures, as listed on its profile page; checked 1 November 2026.

AP

Adam Parker

Founder & Managing Director, Muswell Rose, founder and PSC of Best Business Loans Ltd

Adam was managing director of Penny, a UK invoice finance business, from July 2020 to November 2023. His career runs through insurance, mortgages, commercial finance and fintech lending. He writes the Market Invoice library. Career record.

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Export Invoice Finance FAQ

Can I finance invoices in foreign currencies?

Yes, with some providers. HSBC, for example, says you can take the finance in sterling, euro, US dollars or most other major currencies, and use it for export as well as UK sales. Bibby offers a separate foreign exchange service alongside its export finance. Ask each provider which currencies it funds in and whether a currency contract is available for specific invoices.

How does the provider collect from overseas customers?

Export factoring providers work with correspondent factors in the debtor's country. These local partners handle credit checking, collections, and if necessary, legal action in the local jurisdiction. This is coordinated through the FCI (Factors Chain International) network.

Is export invoice finance more expensive?

Usually, because the provider takes on overseas credit checking, collection in another country and, often, currency handling. UK providers do not publish export pricing, so the only way to know the difference is to ask for a quote on the same invoices with and without the overseas customers included.

What is export invoice finance?

Export invoice finance lets a UK business borrow against invoices issued to overseas customers. It works the same way as domestic invoice finance, with extra steps for currency (where the invoice is in a foreign currency) and, often, credit protection, because cross-border bad-debt recovery is harder. How much is advanced depends on the provider: Bibby and HSBC each publish up to 95%. Both say on their own sites that they work with exporters.

Which UK providers offer export invoice finance?

Two we have checked on their own sites: Bibby Financial Services has an export finance product and a foreign exchange service; HSBC funds in sterling, euro, US dollars or most other major currencies and its invoice discounting covers export sales (HSBC requires £1m turnover). Which suits you depends on your turnover, the countries you sell to and the currencies you invoice in, so compare quotes.

How does currency risk work in export invoice finance?

It depends on how the facility is set up. If the provider funds you in the invoice currency, your borrowing and the customer payment are in the same currency, so the exchange rate only matters when you convert what is left to sterling. If the provider converts the advance to sterling, the exchange rate can move between the invoice date and payment, and that movement affects the balance you receive.

Some providers offer currency contracts to fix the rate on specific invoices; ask what they cost, as they are usually priced separately from the service charge.