How to Finance Your Amazon Business

As you launch and grow your business, you may find yourself looking for Amazon business financing to expand your operations and increase your product offerings — but this usually requires additional working capital that not every seller or small business owner has.

As an Amazon seller, it’s likely you’ll face challenges when looking for financing, especially from traditional lenders such as a bank. 

Fortunately, there are now many options available for Amazon sellers to access the fast funding needed to grow a business. 

Options for your Amazon business financing

1. SBA Microloan

What is it?

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers a microloan* to help businesses start up and expand. The SBA provides funds to designated intermediary lenders; qualified applicants can get a loan of up to $50,000. Microlenders will lend to businesses that are not eligible for a traditional bank loan, which can make them appealing to small businesses and Amazon sellers.

Terms

• Minimum Loan Amount: $500
• Maximum Loan Amount: $50,000
• Maximum Repayment Term: 6 years
• Interest Rates: 8% – 13% APR (annual payment rate)

*Terms and rates for SBA microloans will depend on which lender you are using. 

Eligibility

• Must be a for-profit small business
• No bankruptcies or foreclosures in the last one to two years
• Many microlenders do not require any minimum personal credit score

Each intermediary lender has its own lending and credit requirements. Generally, intermediaries require some type of collateral as well as the personal guarantee of the business owner.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Can be used for inventory or supplies, working capital, furniture, machinery or equipment 
• Catered towards for-profit businesses and certain not-for-profit childcare centers 
• Receive up to $50,000 (average microloan is $13,000) 
• Typically requires no minimum personal credit score from business owners
• Some microloans offer business mentoring programs 

Cons:

• Proceeds from an SBA microloan cannot be used to pay existing debts or to purchase real estate
• The application process may take a few weeks to months to depending on the organization
• You’ll need to have a written business plan
• You must provide personal financial statements
• You must provide business licenses and permits
• Collateral or personal guarantee may be required depending on the lender

Who is this best for?

This option is great for small businesses, start-ups, and entrepreneurs with little to no business experience. It’s also good for business owners with limited credit and financial records; or business owners with lower than average credit. 

How to apply?

The SBA works with designated intermediary lenders across the country to provide financing to small businesses.

To find an approved intermediary lender participating in the SBA’s Microloan program, click here. 

2. Amazon Lending

What is it?

Amazon Lending* is an invitation-only program offered by Amazon to help small- and medium-sized businesses grow on Amazon. It offers various short-term financing options to qualified sellers that best fit their business needs.

Terms

• Minimum Loan Amount: $1,000
• Maximum Loan Amount: $1,000,000
• Term Loan Length: 3-, 6-, 9-, or 12-month term loans with fixed monthly payments
• Interest Rates: Amazon does not disclose this information. Your rate will depend on your account and sales metrics, though sellers have received a rate anywhere from 3% to 17% APR

Eligibility

• Have a seller account in good standing with good customer metrics
• Show a steady increase in sales
• Must be an active Amazon seller
• If you are eligible for a loan, you will see it in your seller central dashboard

*Every seller’s experience will be a little different. Amazon does not provide much information about the loans until you are eligible.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• No credit checks (though they may review your business credit history)
• On average, it takes five days for approval, and some sellers stated they received a decision in minutes, with their funds disbursed on the same day
• Funds are disbursed right into your seller account balance 
• No origination fees, application fees or prepayment penalties
• Funding amount and terms are based on your metrics and sales history
• Previous sellers on the forums have reported low rates
• Great for sellers with a steady increase in sales

Cons:

• Payments are taken out of your seller account balance; even if sales are low one month, your payment will still be taken outIt’s invitation only, so you cannot apply
• Used only for your Amazon business financing
• They’re short-term loans, which means the monthly payments will be high
• Qualification doesn’t guarantee approval
• If your sales are stagnant or begin to decrease, you may have trouble paying down the loan

Who is this best for?

This is best for growing Amazon businesses with consistent increases in sales — but only take the money if you really need it to increase your inventory. Ensure your inventory is moving fast so you’ll be able to pay back your loan on time.

How to apply?

You cannot apply. This program is invitation-only. You will see it in your Seller Central account if you’re eligible.

3. Amazon Line of Credit 

What is it?

Amazon has partnered with Goldman Sachs to provide qualified sellers with a ‘Business Line of Credit* built specifically for Amazon sellers. This is different from an Amazon Lending loan. 

The line of credit provides Amazon sellers with the flexibility to request funds when the need arises, instead of taking one large lump sum.

Terms

• Credit Limit: Up to $1 Million
• Credit Length: Revolving credit; use and pay off as needed
• Interest Rates: Ranging from 6.99% to 20.99% APR

Eligibility

• Neither Amazon nor Marcus by Goldman Sachs provides much information about the program
• It will be another invitation-only program
• When you click on the invitation, you’ll be redirected to Marcus’ website to verify eligibility and to complete your application
• Amazon will share your merchant data with Goldman, which will then use business revenue data to underwrite your line of credit

*Every seller’s experience will be a little different. Amazon does not provide much information about the loans until you are eligible.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Another financing option built by Amazon and Goldman specifically for Amazon sellers
• It’s more flexible than an Amazon Lending loan
  • Use the funds as you need them
  • Sellers can use funds to cover staffing and operations costs, buy more inventory for improved cost efficiency, invest in product development and manufacturing, or expand marketing efforts to build their brands and grow their customer base
• Lines of credit up to $1 million
• The application process is fully digital and can be done in minutes (most customers will get an answer in real time)
• Fixed interest rates

Cons:

• Credit rates may be very high 
• They charge a maintenance fee if you don’t use at least 30% of the credit line
• There are late-payment fees
• It’s invitation-only
• Amazon will not control the underwriting process

Who is this best for?

This is good for growing Amazon businesses with a consistent increase in sales. The line of credit is more flexible than taking an Amazon Lending loan so you can use the cash when you need it.

How to apply?

You cannot apply. This program is invitation-only. You’ll see it in your Seller Central account if you’re eligible.

4. Amazon Merchant Cash Advance Program

Amazon recently launched a new merchant cash advance program provided by Parafin, a U.S.-based provider of growth capital for sellers.

This financing option provides eligible sellers’ with a cash advance based when they need it and flexible payment options. Repayment is favorable to the seller as this loan features capped rates, no fixed term, no personal guarantee, no credit checks or excessive paperwork, and no late fees.

By early 2023, this financing option will be available to hundreds of thousands of sellers. 

Terms

• Minimum Loan Amount: $500
• Maximum Loan Amount: $10 Million 
• Fixed Capital Fee (no interest)
• No Mimimum Payments

Eligibilty

• The loan will be available for sellers who have been selling on Amazon.com for at least three months
• Invitation-only 

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Provides small- and medium-sized businesses access to capital to help grow 
• Protects sellers during low or no sales periods – Payments are only required during periods sellers made sales 
  • No minimum payments each month
• Fixed capital fee, no interest 
• No fixed term, no personal guarantee, no credit checks or excessive paperwork, no late fees, no collateral required 
• Can be used to grow and expand your Amazon business 
  • Purchase inventory 
  • Develop new products
  • Protect margins 
  • Manage cash flow 
• This loan offers a flexible payment schedule determined by a fixed percentage of the seller’s sales 

Cons: 

• Must be selling for at least three months to be eligible 
• Invitation-only 

5. Fintech Lenders

As more and more business is being conducted online — on Amazon and many other e-commerce platforms — it can be difficult to secure a loan you need from a traditional source such as a bank or a credit union. 

The difference with Fintech lenders is that they give loans or lines of credit to e-commerce businesses. The benefits include providing much-needed growth capital to take advantage of inventory deals, very fast approval, and fast funding. 

Example Vendors Include:

• A one-of-a-kind fintech company offering unique growth capital to Amazon Sellers with no required monthly payments
• They do not charge sellers any interest; they only take a small percentage of profits for as long as you use their money
• No credit checks and no personal guarantees
• Funding is based on your Amazon sales
• They’re backed with $100,000,000 to help fund successful Amazon sellers
• They will invest $10,000-$1,000,000 in your Amazon business if you use FBA, are profitable, and report at least $20,000/month in sales

Payability Capital Advance

• Receive up to $250,000 in as little as 24 hours
• Fees are typically between 0.5% and 1% per week, with no origination fees, so you can pay your advance back sooner and lower your cost
• Payability’s Instant Advance is meant to be used to grow your business by spending on marketing and inventory
• Must have had a seller account for at least 9 months and average monthly sales of $50,000
• Apply online with your marketplace accounts and get funds in as fast as one business day
• Great for many online marketplaces: Amazon, Shopify, Walmart, Newegg

Kabbage

• This is a revolving credit line; use the cash as you need it 
• Receive up to $250,000
• Many different loan-types available for all kinds of businesses
• Is great for e-commerce businesses
• Loan amount is based on your sales volume
• You don’t pay anything until you start to use the funds
• Connect your bank account and seller accounts 

Sellers Funding

• They provide working capital solutions to help e-commerce merchants run successful businesses
• This program offers term loans, revenue advance, credit line, daily advance
• Funds are deposited to your account in 1-2 business days
• Approval depends on your sales performance
• You must have at least six months of sales history on Amazon and sales should be at least $30,000 during that period (an average of $5,000/ month); the company needs to be in good standing with Amazon
• They will check your personal credit

6. Personal Loans 

What are they?

Personal loans are often unsecured loans that can be used for a variety of different things (including business), with many banks and fintech lenders offering both secured (collateral required) and unsecured (no collateral required) loans. 

A personal loan can be a good option for someone just starting out, without any sales history to get them a business loan.

Terms

• Credit Limit: Typically ranges from $1,000 to $35,000
• Term Loan Length: Typically 2-7 years
• Interest Rates: Based on your personal credit (the better the credit, the better the rate)

Eligibility

• Based on your personal credit score, debt and income
• When you search for personal loans, a variety of vendors will be available. Take the time to shop around for the best rates.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• If approved, your funds are typically available within one business day
• Pay the same amount monthly
• Very convenient if you have no existing debt but not enough capital to start your business either
• Great if you don’t have any sales history 

Cons

• Typically, unsecured loans have higher interest rates 
• Your name, not your business is attached to the loan
• They’re typically used to consolidate debt, so if you struggle to manage your finances, a personal loan may not be a good idea
• If you have existing debt, do not take out a personal loan
• Rates can be extremely high, as they’re based on of your personal credit score

Who is this best for?

This is a good option for individuals just starting out and who aren’t eligible to take out a business- or sales-based e-commerce loan. They allow you to have fast access to cash so you can get started quickly. 

How to apply?

There are a variety of banks and personal loan lenders available. Do a quick google search and you will find many tools to help you compare your options.

What is the right option for your Amazon business financing?

Advantages of using a non-traditional lender

Non-traditional lenders include fintech lenders, Amazon Lending, lines of credit based on e-commerce sales, etc., and they’re more likely to understand the unique needs of your business — that the loan offered should be based on your sales performance and account health.

Advantages include:

• Receiving your funds as quickly as possible
• Not all fintech lenders will check your personal credit score
• Approval is based on your online sales history
• They offer more financing options with flexible terms than available from banks
• You’re not required to have a physical brick and mortar location 
• These types of lenders are designed for e-commerce businesses

By using a non-traditional lender, you’ll have an easier approval process than going through a traditional bank.

Why you shouldn’t go to a bank for a loan

If you’ve only been selling online for a year, you won’t have the requirements banks usually look for.

In general, many third-party Amazon sellers don’t have the traditional business plan, tax history, credit history, or even collateral that a bank will ask for. 

• Banks require many documents that you may not have as a newer e-commerce business (ie. two years of business credit history, bank statements, tax documents, etc.)
• It’s usually difficult to get small loan amounts under $100,000 from banks
• Banks have traditionally been slow to understand e-commerce 
• It may take a couple of weeks to get approval for any financing

What if you’re a brand new seller and don’t qualify for a loan?

Selling on Amazon is a serious business and should be treated as such. Similar to starting any other type of business, selling on Amazon takes careful planning and research. 

If you’re just starting out on your Amazon selling journey and don’t have a lot of money to start with, it may not be a good idea to jump right into borrowing money. 

Many sellers got started by bootstrapping their way into a thriving and healthy Amazon business. You can do the same. 

There are many ways you can get started for free or for very little money while continuing to reinvest the profits. One of my favorite ways to sell on Amazon, which requires very little — if any — upfront investment, is by selling used books. 

Then, as your business grows and requires more capital to continue that growth, you should look into outside funding. 

Start now

As you can see, there are now many options available for e-commerce and Amazon sellers to provide them with the proper funding options they need to start and grow a successful online business. 

Therefore, when it comes to securing the right loan for your business, do your due diligence and figure out your specific business needs and goals. 

Only borrow what you need and make sure you do not get caught up with bad, slow-moving inventory or you’ll have a tough time paying down any loan you receive. (These types of short term loans are great for your best selling products to ensure you’re always in stock.)

*Disclaimer: We are not affiliated with any of these lenders.

Note: It is not recommended to borrow more than you can afford.

If you have any other questions regarding Amazon business financing, leave them down below!