Export Invoice Finance

Export invoice finance advances up to 85% of your international invoices within 48 hours, while the provider handles overseas credit checks, currency risk, and collections through local correspondent factors. It is available to UK businesses exporting goods or services to customers in 80+ countries with annual turnover from £100,000.

Export invoice finance advances up to 85% of your international invoices within 48 hours, with the provider handling overseas credit checks, currency risk, and collections through local correspondent factors in 80+ countries. More detail + scope

Summary

Export factoring lets UK businesses finance invoices to overseas customers in multiple currencies. Providers use the FCI correspondent factor network for local credit checks and collections. Bibby covers 80+ countries, Close Brothers 60+, and Novuna 50+. Available from £100k turnover.

This page covers

How export factoring works step by step, multi-currency support, overseas collections via FCI network, best UK providers for export finance, and cost differences vs domestic factoring

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 70-85% of the invoice value in GBP within 48 hours.
  4. 4.The overseas correspondent collects payment in the local jurisdiction.
  5. 5.You receive the balance minus fees and any currency adjustment.

Best UK Providers for Export Finance

ProviderCountriesMulti-Currency?FCI Member?
Bibby80+YesYes
Close Brothers60+YesYes
Novuna50+YesYes
AP

Adam Parker

Founder & Managing Director, Muswell Rose, Best Business Loans Ltd

Adam is the founder and managing director of Muswell Rose and a founder of Best Business Loans Ltd, the company behind Market Invoice. He spent over three years as managing director of Penny, a UK invoice finance business, and his career runs through insurance, mortgages, commercial finance and fintech lending. He writes the Market Invoice library.

Last reviewed: 20 May 2026

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Export Invoice Finance FAQ

Can I finance invoices in foreign currencies?

Yes. Most export factoring providers offer multi-currency ledgers covering EUR, USD, and other major currencies. Some also offer forward currency contracts to lock in exchange rates and eliminate currency risk on 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?

Yes. Export factoring typically costs 1-3% more than domestic factoring due to additional currency risk, overseas credit checking, and the correspondent factor network. However, the cost is often offset by faster payment and reduced bad debt risk.

What is export invoice finance?

Export invoice finance is a UK product that advances 70% to 90% of the value of an invoice issued to an overseas customer. It works the same way as domestic invoice finance, with two extra layers: currency hedging (where the invoice is in a foreign currency) and credit insurance (because cross-border bad-debt recovery is harder). The product covers exports in major currencies (USD, EUR, GBP) to OECD countries as standard, with selective coverage of emerging markets. HSBC, Close Brothers, Bibby and Stenn are the strongest UK providers for export receivables.

Which UK providers handle export invoice finance best?

Four providers lead the export segment in 2026. HSBC Invoice Finance has the strongest multi-currency capability through HSBC Global Trade and the largest correspondent banking network. Bibby Financial Services covers SME export with sector-specialist underwriting. Close Brothers handles £500,000-plus turnover exporters with 0.5% headline service charge. Stenn (international trade specialist) writes selective single-invoice export finance, particularly to emerging markets. For pure single-invoice export advances, Kriya covers OECD destinations. Banks (Barclays, NatWest) write large-cap export facilities but slower.

How does currency risk work in export invoice finance?

Two models. First, the provider funds in the invoice currency and you bear no FX risk between issue and payment: this is standard at HSBC, Bibby and Close Brothers for major-currency receivables. Second, the provider funds in GBP at the spot rate and you bear residual FX risk on the unfunded reserve until payment: less common but cheaper on margin. For larger exposures, providers offer forward FX contracts alongside the facility to lock in the receivable value. Hedging cost is typically 0.1% to 0.5% of invoice value, separate from the service charge.