Find funding for your international business plans

Importing

When importing products from abroad you incur higher costs than when buying them in the Netherlands. Think of additional transport costs, and the translation of manuals and packaging. You will also have to find out whether you are allowed to sell the products in the Netherlands. Or whether you might have to adjust them. Do you import products from countries outside the EU? Then you often have to pay import duties, making your product more expensive.

Describe your plans and costs in an import plan. And update your financial plan with this information. That way you can see immediately what amount you need, what you will use the money for, and whether you have sufficient funds of your own. Discuss the smartest and cheapest way to pay for this investment with your bookkeeper or accountant. With your own resources or with financing.

No subsidies for import

There are no government subsidies or schemes for you when you are importing. However, the EU does have trade agreements with several countries. As a result, you pay lower or no import duties and your product becomes cheaper.

Exporting

Exporting is a way to grow your business. Your success depends on good preparation. Describe your plans in an export plan (in Dutch). Include in this plan the amount of financing you need. You can use this plan when talking to a financier such as your bank or an investor. First see if you can free up financial resources in your business. This can save you costs as external financing always costs money.

Export subsidies

Unlike for importing, there are government subsidies and schemes for your export plans. Before applying, read the conditions carefully. Below are 3 examples of export subsidies. These subsidies are administered by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).

1. Support International Business (SIB)

Are you a starting exporter? And could you use some help? Then take a look at the Support International Business (SIB) scheme. It allows you to finance various export activities, such as participating in an international trade fair.

2. Subsidy scheme for demonstration projects, feasibility studies, and investment preparation projects (DHI)

With the DHI subsidy scheme, you can finance a demonstration project, feasibility study, or investment preparation project abroad.

3. Partners for International Business (PIB)

PIB is a scheme that allows you to realise your international plans in a public-private partnership.

Check this subsidies and schemes overview and find out which other schemes you may be eligible for.

Finding funding

There are several ways to find external funding. Go to the Choosing Funding Tool and answer questions about your business and how much money you need. You will get an overview of types of financing you might find interesting and who provides them. 

As well as the options in the Choosing Financing Tool, there are other types of financing, funds, and organisations that may be of interest for your import and export plans.

1. Letter of Credit

A Letter of Credit (L/C) offers security when doing business abroad. With this document, both seller and buyer know, for example, that payment will be made, and that the product will be delivered as agreed.

2. Bank guarantee

A bank guarantee is a promise by the bank to pay if a buyer does not pay. For this, the bank blocks an amount in the buyer's account. For imports and exports, a bank guarantee ensures that you as the seller get your money even if the buyer does not pay.

3. Dutch Good Growth Fund (DGGF)

The DGGF is administered by the Dutch government investment agency Invest International. This fund helps you with loans, export credit insurance, and export financing in emerging markets and developing countries.

4. Dutch Trade and Investment Fund (DTIF)

Through the DTIF, Invest International provides loans, guarantees, and export financing to entrepreneurs wanting to do business with countries that are not on the list of DGGF countries (in Dutch).

5. Export financing

Invest International also supports smaller export transactions for SMEs. These amounts are often of less interest to banks.

6. Export credit insurance

If you export goods, you run the risk that your customer will not pay. For many countries and supplies, you can insure this risk with a private insurer. If this is not possible, the Atradius Dutch State Business (ADSB) offers insurance on behalf of the Dutch government.

Applying for international subsidies and schemes is complicated and time-consuming. If you are unable to do it yourself, you can hire a subsidy adviser to help you. 

Investing abroad

Are you going to invest in another country? For example, to set up or take over a business abroad. Sometimes financing is possible from the Netherlands, or your Dutch financier can put you in touch with a foreign financier. Also investigate the financing possibilities in that country yourself. You can insure the risks of investments abroad with the investment insurance (in Dutch) that Atradius offers on behalf of the government.

Help with business financing

The Financing Guide will help you find your way around financing options. Do you still have questions? Call the helpline on 088 585 11 11 or ask an expert for advice.