SBA Export Express Loan Program
U.S. Small Business Administration
Up to $500,000
Streamlined SBA loan for exporting small businesses
SBA Export Express provides fast-track SBA-guaranteed loans and revolving lines of credit up to $500,000 for small businesses that need financing to develop or expand export activities. Lenders underwrite directly without prior SBA approval, delivering decisions in as little as 24 hours. SBA guarantees 90% for loans up to $350,000 and 75% for loans up to $500,000 — significantly higher than standard 7(a) guarantee rates.
- Funding type
- Loan
- Level
- Federal
- Amount range
- $500 – $500,000
- Realistic amount
- Most Export Express loans are $25,000–$250,000. Revolving lines of credit for ongoing trade finance are common in the $5…
- Deadline
- Rolling — no application deadline. Available year-round through SBA Export Express lenders. Loan decisions typically within 24–36 hours of a complete application.
- Status
- active
- States
- Nationwide
- Payment model
- loan
Who qualifies
- Must qualify as a small business under SBA size standards for your primary NAICS code
- Business must be operating for at least 12 months (or demonstrate export activity)
- Loan proceeds must be used to support export activities — working capital for export orders, purchase of export-related equipment or inventory, or developing export marketing
- Must apply through an SBA-approved Export Express lender (not all SBA 7(a) lenders are Export Express approved)
- Business must be U.S.-based, for-profit, and not in an ineligible industry (no lending, gambling, political organizations, etc.)
- Owner(s) must have good personal credit and no federal debt delinquencies
Hard requirements
- Must be incorporated
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Working capital to fulfill specific export orders (goods production, packing, shipping, insurance)
- Purchase of equipment or inventory for export production
- Export trade show participation, marketing, and market research costs
- Obtaining standby letters of credit to support international transactions
- Developing foreign market entry plans and hire of export management staff
Ineligible expenses
- Refinancing existing non-export debt
- Domestic business activities not supporting international sales
- Real estate purchases (use SBA 504 or 7(a) real estate loans instead)
- Personal expenses
- Activities in ineligible SBA industries (financial lending, gambling, etc.)
How to apply
-
1
Find an SBA Export Express lender
Not all SBA lenders offer Export Express. Use SBA's Lender Match tool (lendermatch.sba.gov) and specify export financing, or contact the U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC) in your area — they maintain lists of active Export Express lenders.
-
2
Gather export-use documentation
Prepare export-related justification: purchase orders from foreign buyers, export contracts, international distributor agreements, or a written export plan showing how funds will support international sales. This is the key differentiator from standard SBA Express.
-
3
Submit application to lender
Provide standard business financials (3 years tax returns, YTD P&L, debt schedule) plus export-use documentation. The lender underscores the application independently — no prior SBA submission required. Decision within 24–36 hours for complete files.
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4
Close loan and access funds
Upon approval, close the loan agreement with the lender. Term loans fund upfront; revolving lines of credit can be drawn as needed for export transactions. SBA guarantees activate only if the borrower defaults.
Export Express is faster than 7(a) because the lender controls the approval — bring a real purchase order or distributor contract and you'll close in days, not weeks.
Deadline & timing
No intake cycle. Contact an SBA Export Express lender (find via sba.gov lender match or EXIM's resource network) to apply at any time.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.