About this programme
The International Trade Loan (ITL) is one of the U.S. Small Business Administration's export loan programmes, described by SBA as helping small businesses enter international markets and make investments to compete with other importers. It is delivered through SBA-participating lenders rather than the SBA lending money directly.
Funds can go toward fixed assets in the United States that are used to produce goods or services involved in international trade (buying, building, renovating or expanding facilities and equipment), toward working capital to fund export transactions, and toward refinancing debt tied to those purposes. The programme is aimed at businesses that need this combination of capital to compete internationally, not just a working-capital line.
SBA guarantees up to 90% of the loan, capped at a maximum of $5 million in total ITL financing per borrower. Applications go through SBA-participating export lenders rather than to SBA directly.
How it works
ITL is a guarantee programme: a private, SBA-participating lender makes and services the loan, and SBA guarantees up to 90% of it. The business applies to the lender, not to SBA directly.
Proceeds can be combined across eligible uses in a single ITL facility — fixed-asset financing (acquiring, constructing, renovating, modernising or expanding U.S. facilities and equipment used to produce goods or services for international trade), working capital for export transactions, and refinancing of debt related to those uses.
The maximum across all of these uses in one ITL loan is $5 million in total financing, with SBA's guaranty applying up to 90% of that amount.
Who can apply
SBA describes the ITL as being for small businesses that need to enter international markets or make investments to compete with other importers — it is framed around improving a small business's competitive position in international trade, not general-purpose lending.
The borrower works through a participating SBA export lender rather than applying to SBA directly. SBA maintains a directory of participating export lenders for businesses that don't already have one.
How to apply
- Contact your regional SBA Export Finance Manager — SBA publishes a state-by-state directory of these specialists, or the SBA Office of Manufacturing and Trade hotline can direct you to one.
- Alternatively, contact a lender relations specialist at your local SBA district office, or approach a lender from SBA's list of participating export lenders directly.
- Work with the chosen lender to structure the ITL request across its eligible uses (fixed assets, export working capital, refinancing) and submit the application through that lender — the lender underwrites and services the loan under SBA's guaranty.
Frequently asked
How much can an International Trade Loan cover?
Up to $5 million in total financing, with SBA guaranteeing up to 90% of that amount. The $5 million ceiling covers the combined fixed-asset, working-capital and refinancing uses in a single ITL loan.
What can ITL funds be used for?
Acquiring, constructing, renovating, modernising or expanding U.S. facilities and equipment used to produce goods or services involved in international trade; working capital to fund export transactions; and refinancing debt tied to those purposes.
Does my business need to already be exporting to qualify?
SBA frames the ITL around small businesses that need to enter international markets or invest to compete with importers — it is not restricted to companies that are already exporting. Confirm current eligibility with a participating export lender or your SBA Export Finance Manager.
How is ITL different from the Export Working Capital Program (EWCP) or Export Express?
EWCP (also up to $5 million) is built around financing specific export transactions and advances before a sale is finalised, with SBA describing a five-to-ten business day turnaround for that programme. Export Express caps out at $500,000 but lets approved lenders underwrite without prior SBA sign-off, so it moves faster for smaller amounts. ITL is the one built to combine fixed-asset investment with export working capital and refinancing in a single facility, with the 90% guaranty.
Reviewed 2026-08-16. Programmes change — confirm current eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official page before you apply. CapEasy is a private consultancy and is not affiliated with any government authority.