Equipment Line

Import finance for business assets

Use a simpler, digital Asset Import feature to fund assets sourced from over 50 countries, with no repayments for the first 120 days while the asset is in transit.

What is import finance for business assets?

Import finance is funding that covers the full cost of buying an asset from an overseas supplier, not just the asset itself. For business assets, this includes supplier deposits, progress payments, freight, duties and other import costs. 

It can be difficult to finance and import overseas assets due to the complex steps and paperwork normally required. Our Asset Import feature makes this end-to-end import finance process simpler.  

Help your customers import assets with ease

How Asset Import works with Shift

Asset Import funds and pays for an overseas asset through a single Equipment Line.
This is how it works:

  • You apply for an Equipment Line on your customer’s behalf via Shift Connect. Once the application is accepted, the import finance is provided.
  • Shift then pays the overseas supplier directly, including any deposit and progress payments.
  • Shift covers the associated import costs, such as freight and duties.
  • Repayments start after the asset arrives. There are no repayments for the first 120 days while the asset is in transit, followed by a five-year repayment term. 

Learn about the import finance opportunity

Insights article

From complexity to broker opportunity

For many SMEs, the right piece of equipment can unlock growth, improve productivity or create a competitive advantage. Often, the ideal asset can be sourced from overseas suppliers rather than local markets.

This presents a strong opportunity for brokers to help businesses navigate a seemingly complex import process and access the best assets for their business needs.

Read more

Asset Import customer stories

Heavy diesel servicing business
Importing from China

A heavy diesel servicing business with $8 million turnover and seven years trading imported a $100,000 drill and attachments from China. Lower cost assets like this can be hard to fund through traditional import finance. Our Asset Import feature allowed the tertiary asset to be financed with ease, closing the funding gap that often affects smaller value imports.

Civil and construction solutions business
Importing from the USA

A civil and construction business with $14 million turnover and 18 years operating sourced an $825,000 Caterpillar Scraper from the USA. Using our Asset Import feature, the business avoided the need for a letter of credit and saved around 30% on the total asset cost compared with buying locally.

Baby product supplier
Importing from China

A baby product supplier with $3 million turnover and 12 years in the industry imported a $350,000 injection moulding machine from China. The supplier required a deposit before accepting the order. Our flexible payment options enabled the business to make the deposit and provide progress payments as the order was fulfilled.

FAQs

Why would a customer import an asset instead of buying locally?

To access specialist equipment, a wider supplier base or more competitive pricing than is available in Australia. It is common when the asset is hard to source locally, or when overseas equipment supports growth or productivity.

What challenges do businesses typically face when importing assets?

Complex payments, upfront costs and multiple suppliers. Overseas suppliers often want deposits or progress payments that do not fit standard funding, on top of freight, duties and other import costs. Asset Import, part of Equipment Line, covers these in one facility.

When should brokers raise import finance with their customers?

Whenever a customer is buying equipment from overseas, comparing local and international suppliers, or looking for machinery that is not readily available in Australia. It suits growing businesses in manufacturing, food technology, construction and transport.

Why choose Shift for import finance?

Our Asset Import feature covers the full import journey in one Equipment Line, from supplier payments to freight and duties. It funds purchases from over 50 countries, with no repayments for the first 120 days while the asset is in transit, and it is broker initiated so brokers stay in control.

Get started with importing assets with Shift

Join the network

A streamlined accreditation process without the paperwork or lengthy wait times.

Speak to a BDM

We have BDMs in every state to support you. View our directory to find your local BDM.

BDM directory