# International Trade loans

**Short answer:** An International Trade loan is a 7(a) term loan for exporters and businesses hurt by import competition. The maximum is $5,000,000, with a 90% guaranty up to $4,500,000. Working capital is limited to $2,000,000 (SOP 50 10 8.1, Sec. B, Ch. 5, Para. C; App. 16).

Canonical page: https://www.sbaexpress.loans/sba-programs/international-trade-loans/
Last checked: 2026-11-09

## Key facts

**International Trade loans: key facts**

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Maximum loan | $5,000,000 |
| SBA guaranty share | 90% |
| Maximum SBA guaranty | $4,500,000 |
| Working capital limit | $2,000,000 |
| Real estate term | 25 years, plus any reasonable construction or renovation period |
| Maximum variable rate | Prime plus 3.0 to 6.5 percentage points, depending on loan size |
| Minimum coverage | 1.15 historical or projected, and 1:1 global |
| Lien required | First lien, unless SBA grants an exception |

## On this page

- [What an International Trade loan is](#what-an-international-trade-loan-is)
- [Who qualifies](#who-qualifies)
- [Industries SBA has already found affected](#industries-sba-has-already-found-affected)
- [What it can pay for](#what-it-can-pay-for)
- [Limits and guaranty](#limits-and-guaranty)
- [Terms, rates and fees](#terms-rates-and-fees)
- [Collateral and credit tests](#collateral-and-credit-tests)
- [What this page cannot tell you](#what-this-page-cannot-tell-you)

## What an International Trade loan is

SBA guarantees these term loans for small businesses engaged or preparing to engage in international trade. They also serve businesses adversely affected by import competition (13 CFR § 120.345). Citations here refer to SOP 50 10 8.1, effective October 1, 2026.

## Who qualifies

You must meet the core rules in Section A and one of two tests (Sec. B, Ch. 5, Para. C.1):

- **Export markets.** The loan will expand existing export markets or develop new ones. You must submit an export business plan with projected export sales.
- **Import competition.** You are adversely affected by competition from foreign firms. You must explain and document the injury, unless your industry is listed below.

Either way, the lender must document how the loan will improve your competitive position. Accommodation (NAICS 721) and gasoline stations (NAICS 457) are ineligible (Para. C.1.d).

## Industries SBA has already found affected

SBA has determined that small businesses in these industries meet the import competition test without extra documentation of injury (Sec. B, Ch. 5, Para. C.1.b):

- Manufacturing, NAICS 31, 32 and 33 (Policy Notice 5000-877629, effective May 1, 2026).
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction, NAICS 21 (Policy Notice 5000-881477, effective August 14, 2026).
- Listed food supply chain codes, including certain farming, fishing, food wholesale, grocery, refrigerated trucking and storage businesses.

The lender must still show the loan improves your competitive position.

## What it can pay for

Proceeds may only be used for these purposes (Sec. B, Ch. 5, Para. C.2):

- Buying, building, renovating, modernizing, improving or expanding facilities and equipment used in the United States to produce goods or services.
- Working capital, up to $2,000,000.
- Certain changes of ownership. Export-market loans can support Business Expansion and ESOP or Cooperative transactions. Import-competition loans can also support Owner Buyouts. Neither can fund an Initial Acquisition.
- Debt refinancing under Appendix 14.

## Limits and guaranty

- **Maximum:** $5,000,000 (Sec. B, Ch. 5, Para. C.3).
- **Guaranty:** 90%, up to $4,500,000 (App. 16, Para. B.6).
- **Working capital guaranty:** 13 CFR § 120.348 limits it to $4,000,000, counting any separate EWCP or other 7(a) working capital loan.

## Terms, rates and fees

The general 7(a) maturity rules apply (App. 17, Para. B.8):

- Working capital: 10 years.
- Equipment: 10 years, or up to 15 years if the IRS asset class useful life supports it.
- Real estate: 25 years, plus any reasonable construction or renovation period.

The rate is negotiated, up to the 7(a) maximum of Prime plus 3.0 to 6.5 percentage points, depending on loan size (App. 18, Para. B.8). The guaranty fee follows the 7(a) schedule (Information Notice 5000-881797). The fee is 0% for loans of $700,000 or less to manufacturers (NAICS 31-33), listed food supply chain businesses and businesses in rural areas.

## Collateral and credit tests

The Small Business Act requires a first lien on the assets financed or on other assets of the applicant (App. 19, Para. B.8). A lender may request a policy exception to take a second position, if that lien gives adequate assurance of repayment. If the loan funds working capital, the trading assets require the first lien.

Debt service coverage must be at least 1.15 on a historical or projected basis, and 1:1 on a global basis (Sec. B, Ch. 5, Para. C.4). A startup needs at least 10% of total project costs (Para. C.4.b). A lender can submit the loan to SBA or decide it under PLP authority (Para. C.4.a).

## What this page cannot tell you

Lenders apply their own credit policies within SBA's rules, so terms vary by lender. SBA's public 7(a) loan file lists approved loans only. It holds no applications and no declines, so it cannot show how many requests were turned down. We do not estimate approval odds. For short-term export working capital, compare the [Export Working Capital Program](https://www.sbaexpress.loans/sba-programs/export-working-capital/).

## Sources

- [SOP 50 10 8.1, Sec. B, Ch. 5, Para. C (p. 193)](https://legacy.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2026-10/SOP%2050%2010%208.1%20Technical%20Policy%20Updates%20effective%20%2010.1.2026.docx)
- [SOP 50 10 8.1, App. 16, Para. B.6 (Para. B begins p. 388)](https://legacy.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2026-10/SOP%2050%2010%208.1%20Technical%20Policy%20Updates%20effective%20%2010.1.2026.docx)
- [SOP 50 10 8.1, App. 17, Para. B.8 (Para. B begins p. 391)](https://legacy.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2026-10/SOP%2050%2010%208.1%20Technical%20Policy%20Updates%20effective%20%2010.1.2026.docx)
- [SOP 50 10 8.1, App. 18, Para. B.8 (Para. B begins p. 401)](https://legacy.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2026-10/SOP%2050%2010%208.1%20Technical%20Policy%20Updates%20effective%20%2010.1.2026.docx)
- [SOP 50 10 8.1, App. 19, Para. B.8 (Para. B begins p. 408)](https://legacy.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2026-10/SOP%2050%2010%208.1%20Technical%20Policy%20Updates%20effective%20%2010.1.2026.docx)
- [13 CFR § 120.345](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/section-120.345)
- [13 CFR § 120.348](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/section-120.348)
- [SBA Policy Notice 5000-877629, International Trade Loan updates (effective May 1, 2026)](https://legacy.sba.gov/document/policy-notice-5000-877629-7a-international-trade-loan-program-updates)
- [SBA Policy Notice 5000-881477, International Trade Loan industry update (effective Aug. 14, 2026)](https://legacy.sba.gov/document/policy-notice-5000-881477-7a-international-trade-loan-program-industry-update-revision-policy-notice-5000-877629)
- [SBA Information Notice 5000-881797, FY 2027 7(a) fees (Sept. 3, 2026)](https://legacy.sba.gov/document/information-notice-5000-881797-fy-2027-7a-program-fees)
- [SBA 7(a) loan file (FOIA), data as of June 30, 2026](https://data.sba.gov/dataset/7a-504-foia)
- [13 CFR § 120.214(d)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/section-120.214)
- [SBA Information Notice 5000-882227, p. 1 (Sept. 25, 2026)](https://legacy.sba.gov/document/information-notice-5000-882227-issuance-technical-updates-sop-50-10-81)