The SBA runs three programs specifically for businesses that sell abroad — together the SBA export loan suite. They solve the classic exporter’s problem: you have orders or growth potential overseas, but you need capital to produce goods, carry foreign receivables, or expand capacity. Jaken Finance Group helps exporters get matched to the right program and provides fast interim financing when an order can’t wait. Request commercial financing or call (833) 264-7776.
The three export programs
- Export Working Capital Program (EWCP) — up to $5 million of working capital to fulfill export orders: financing inventory, production, and foreign accounts receivable, backed by a high SBA guaranty. Best when you have export orders but need capital to fill them.
- Export Express — the fast option, up to $500,000, with expedited SBA review. Funds export development, marketing, trade-show costs, and smaller working-capital needs. Revolving lines are available.
- International Trade Loan (ITL) — up to $5 million combining fixed assets and working capital for businesses expanding their export capacity or competing against imports. Real-estate and equipment components can carry long 7(a)-style terms.
What export financing funds
- Filling export orders — inventory, raw materials, production labor (EWCP)
- Foreign accounts receivable — carrying the gap until overseas customers pay
- Export development — marketing, trade missions, and market entry (Export Express)
- Capacity expansion — equipment, facilities, and working capital to grow export volume or counter import competition (ITL)
Export program terms (2026)
| Program | Max | Speed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| EWCP | $5M | Standard | Financing specific export orders |
| Export Express | $500K | Expedited | Fast, smaller export needs & lines |
| International Trade Loan | $5M | Standard | Fixed assets + working capital to expand exports |
Rates are 7(a)-style — prime (~6.75% in Q3 2026) plus a lender markup — and vary by program and use. Confirm current pricing at application.
An export financing example
A specialty manufacturer lands $2 million in orders from overseas distributors, payable 60 days after delivery. The problem is timing: it must buy raw materials and run production now, but won’t collect for months. An Export Working Capital Program loan finances the production costs and the foreign receivables, letting the manufacturer fill the orders without draining its cash. As the overseas customers pay, the line is repaid — and it’s ready for the next round of orders. Without EWCP, the company would have had to turn orders away simply because it couldn’t fund the gap.
EWCP vs the International Trade Loan
The two $5M programs solve different problems. EWCP is short-term and transaction-driven — it finances the working capital to fulfill specific export orders and revolves as you produce and collect. The International Trade Loan is longer-term and growth-driven — it funds fixed assets (facilities, equipment) plus working capital for a business expanding its export capacity or fighting import competition, with real-estate components amortizing over long 7(a)-style terms. A practical rule: use EWCP to fill the orders you have now, and the International Trade Loan to build the capacity to win bigger orders later. Export Express handles the smaller, faster needs in between. Many growing exporters use more than one over time as they scale.
Eligibility
- For-profit U.S. small business that exports, or is expanding to compete with imports
- A credible export plan or existing orders (program-dependent)
- Standard SBA underwriting and, as of March 1, 2026, 100% U.S.-citizen/national ownership residing in the United States
When timing beats an export order
Export orders have deadlines the SBA calendar doesn’t respect. When you need to produce now and finance the paperwork in parallel, Jaken Finance Group can bridge the working-capital gap while the EWCP or ITL is arranged — the same interim-financing logic behind bridge now, SBA later.
Pair financing with risk protection
Export financing works best alongside foreign-receivable protection. Because much of an exporter’s risk sits in getting paid by overseas customers, many pair an EWCP facility with export credit insurance so a foreign buyer’s non-payment doesn’t sink the deal — which in turn strengthens the loan file. The SBA’s high guaranty on export programs and the added receivable protection together make lenders far more comfortable financing international orders than they would be otherwise. Build both into your plan from the start rather than treating insurance as an afterthought.
Get matched for SBA export financing
Have export orders to fill or overseas growth to fund? We’ll help you pursue EWCP, Export Express, or an International Trade Loan — and bridge the timing if an order can’t wait. Request commercial financing or call (833) 264-7776.
Program details: SBA — loan programs. Rates and rules change; verify current terms at application. Jaken Finance Group helps exporters pursue EWCP, Export Express, and International Trade Loan financing.