Purchase order finance

If your business is having trouble filling orders, you may want to consider using purchase orders as collateral to pay suppliers. Referred to as purchase order financing, it's a popular option for small- and medium-sized business owners because it can be a short-term solution to temporary cash flow problems.

This guide will take you through what you need to know about purchase order financing.

How does purchase order financing work?

Purchase order financing can be the ideal solution for resolving cash flow problems and getting outstanding orders filled. Using the purchase order as security, the lender will pay your suppliers on your behalf. Once the suppliers have delivered the finished goods to your customer, the customer will pay the lender and you will collect the profit. This way, your business can continue to fill orders, take on more work and ultimately expand and develop its capacity.

How you can compare purchase order financing

Here are some factors to consider when comparing purchase order finance loans:

• Lending criteria. Purchase order finance is usually offered by alternative lenders where the lending criteria are more flexible than those of banks.
• Verification. The lender takes a risk financing your purchase order, so the authenticity and validity of the purchase order will be verified with the customer and supplier.
• Short-term. This is a short-term solution to cash flow problems, meant to help bridge the gap between receiving an order and collecting the profit once the customer pays. If you require a larger loan you may want to explore other loan options that may be better suited to your needs.
• Maximum amounts. This depends on the lender, the size of your purchase order and your business's capacity to fill the order. Some lenders set minimum and maximum loan amounts, so do some research based on the size of your order.
• Local and overseas suppliers. If your suppliers or customers are overseas, make sure that the lender is aware of this and will agree to provide finance.

What are the benefits and drawbacks?

Things to consider before you apply

Make sure you're aware of the following pitfalls before you apply:

• Not knowing your supplier. Too many times businesses conduct transactions with shady suppliers only to be exposed when (and if) the shipment arrives. Make sure you know exactly who you're dealing with. A good way to avoid problems is to have a trading partner overseas to help you monitor letters of credit and properly inspect your shipments.
• Borrowing at a high cost. Make sure you're well-aware of all the costs associated with your loan. This includes the type of interest rate being applied (variable or fixed) and how it will be calculated. Also, be aware of all fees, including one-off and ongoing fees, and make sure you compare all options between lenders rather than jumping on board with the first lender you like.

Is there anything to avoid?

• Product inspection. Once delivered, the customer will do an inspection of the finished product. It's imperative that the order is correct; a delivery mistake reflects poorly on both your business and the lender.
• Risk. Before applying for finance, make sure that your business can fill the order. If you can't meet the obligation, you might have difficulty being approved for a loan in the future.

FAQs about financing purchase orders

• Who will lend money against a purchase order?

  You will most likely get funding from smaller, online lenders rather than traditional banks. Lending criteria is more flexible and they're willing to lend smaller amounts to small- and medium-sized businesses.

• What are the criteria that my business needs to fulfill?

  Most lenders require that your business isn't encumbered by too many existing loans and that it doesn't have legal or tax issues. Your business should also have relatively good profit margins and work with reputable commercial partners. In most cases, the purchase order should be non-cancellable and for finished goods only.

• Will I get funding equal to the whole purchase order?

  This differs from lender to lender. Some will lend 70% of the total purchase order, while others will lend as much as 90%.

• What happens if something goes wrong with the delivery of my shipment?

  It depends on the particular agreement made between you and your lender. However, with PO financing, your lender will still get paid since your goods are pre-sold.

• How long do I need to have been in business for to qualify for such loans?

  Depending on the lender, loan type and amount, anywhere between one and two years.

• Can I qualify for PO financing for goods that haven't been manufactured yet?

  Unfortunately not. Your purchase order financing request must be for finished goods as there is more risk for the lender when having to worry about things such as late orders, defective items, etc.

• What industries typically use purchase order finance?

  Purchase order finance is commonly used in industries with large or irregular contracts, such as manufacturing, wholesale distribution, import/export, construction and retail supply chains. Any business that needs to fulfil bulk orders before receiving customer payment could benefit.

• How quickly can I access funds from purchase order finance?

  Once your application is approved and your supplier invoice is verified, funds can often be made available within a few business days. Timelines vary between lenders and depend on the complexity of your order and the buyer's creditworthiness.

• Does purchase order finance affect my customer relationships?

  In most cases, the financing arrangement is discreet and your customers continue dealing with you as usual. Some lenders may interact directly with your customer for payment collection, but this is handled professionally and transparently to maintain business relationships.

• What happens if my customer cancels their order after I've arranged finance?

  If a purchase order is cancelled or amended, you must notify the lender immediately. You may still be responsible for any funds already advanced or supplier payments made on your behalf, so always review your contract terms carefully before proceeding.

• Can I use purchase order finance and invoice finance together?

  Yes. Businesses often use both. Purchase order finance helps fund supplier payments before goods are delivered, while invoice finance provides cash flow after invoicing your customer. Used together, they cover your full working capital cycle from order to payment.

• Is there a minimum order value required for purchase order finance?

  Many lenders set a minimum transaction size, often starting around $50,000, but this varies. Some may consider smaller orders if the buyer is a well-known organisation or if you have repeat orders lined up.

• What documentation do I need to apply for purchase order finance?

  Typically, you'll need to provide a valid purchase order, supplier quotes or invoices, business identification documents, financial statements and possibly a history of previous orders or contracts. Lenders use these to verify legitimacy and assess financial risk.

• Can I use purchase order finance for international trade?

  Yes. Many Australian lenders offer purchase order finance for import and export transactions. They can help cover supplier costs overseas, manage foreign currency payments and ensure goods are shipped promptly to meet buyer deadlines.

• Are there alternatives to purchase order finance?

  Alternatives include trade finance, invoice factoring, business lines of credit and short-term business loans. The best option depends on your cash flow needs, business size and relationship with your customers and suppliers.

Picture: Shutterstock

Written by

Elizabeth Barry

Journalist

Elizabeth Barry is an experienced journalist with over 10 years of expertise in personal finance, contributing to outlets like the ABC, Sydney Morning Herald, and 7News. She holds a Master of Arts in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Technology Sydney, and has earned multiple award nominations, including a Highly Commended recognition at the 2017 Lizzies. Elizabeth began her career at Finder in 2013, progressing through roles to become Lead Editor, where she oversaw a wide range of personal finance coverage until 2024. See full bio

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