Key highlights
- Imported machinery is financeable through lenders that handle overseas purchases
- Finance often settles on arrival, once the machine is in Australia
- Shipping, duty and GST all affect the total to be financed
- One application finds lenders comfortable with import deals
Yes, a broker can finance imported machinery. Bringing equipment in from overseas adds steps such as shipping, customs, duty and currency, but many lenders will fund imported machines, often releasing finance on arrival rather than paying an overseas supplier upfront. At Overdrive, one dedicated broker, Simon Kendrick, compares 80+ banks and non-bank lenders on a single application to find one comfortable with your imported machine and its delivery timeline.
What makes imported machinery different
Financing an imported machine involves more moving parts than a local purchase. There is shipping time, customs clearance, import duty and GST, and often a currency exchange to manage, all before the machine reaches your yard. Lenders are cautious about advancing money to an overseas supplier they cannot easily pursue if something goes wrong, so many prefer to settle once the machine has arrived and cleared customs in Australia. That structure protects you as well, since you are not financing a machine you have not yet received or inspected. A broker who understands import deals knows which lenders are comfortable with this approach and how to sequence the finance around delivery, so the funding lands at the right moment rather than too early or too late.
When the finance is released
With imports, timing is everything. Some buyers pay the overseas supplier themselves, or through a deposit and trade finance, then refinance the machine into a standard facility once it lands and is theirs to offer as security. Others use lenders willing to fund on arrival, releasing money when the machine is in the country, cleared and ready to register or commission. The right approach depends on the supplier's payment terms and your own cash position. A broker helps you plan this carefully so you are not caught funding shipping and duty out of pocket for longer than necessary, or exposed on a payment before the machine is safely yours. Getting the sequence right keeps the whole import moving smoothly from order to settlement.
Costs beyond the purchase price
The sticker price of an imported machine is only part of the total you will pay. Shipping, insurance in transit, customs duty, GST and any compliance or modification work to meet Australian standards all add up, and these costs affect how much you ultimately finance. Some of these can be included in the facility, while others may need to be paid as they fall due along the way. It pays to map out the full landed cost before committing, so there are no unwelcome surprises after the machine is already on the water. A broker helps you see the complete picture and structures the finance around it, and your accountant can confirm the GST and duty treatment for your particular business.
How a broker handles an import deal
Imported machinery narrows your lender choices, because not every lender is set up for overseas purchases and the timing of shipping and customs. A broker knows which lenders fund imports, whether on arrival or by refinancing after landing, and structures your application to fit the delivery timeline from the outset. This avoids the trap of agreeing to buy a machine overseas only to find local finance falls short or arrives at the wrong moment. At Overdrive, Simon Kendrick compares 80+ banks and non-bank lenders on one application, so your imported machine is matched to a lender that genuinely understands how these deals actually work in practice.
Bringing machinery in from overseas? Request a free quote and Simon will compare 80+ lenders on a single application and structure finance around your shipping and customs timeline, with no obligation to proceed. Check duty and GST treatment with your accountant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a lender pay an overseas supplier directly?
Usually not. Most lenders prefer to release finance once the machine has arrived in Australia and cleared customs, which protects both sides. Buyers often fund the overseas payment themselves or through trade finance, then refinance on arrival. A broker matches you to a lender whose structure suits your supplier's terms.
Are shipping and duty included in the finance?
Sometimes. Certain landed costs can be built into the facility, while others may need paying as they fall due. It varies by lender and deal. Mapping the full landed cost upfront avoids surprises, and a broker structures the finance around it. Check duty and GST treatment with your accountant.
Is imported machinery harder to finance?
It has more steps, but it is very financeable through the right lender. The main considerations are timing, landed costs and choosing a lender comfortable with overseas purchases. A broker who understands import deals removes most of the friction by matching you to a suitable lender and sequencing the finance correctly.
Can I finance a machine that needs compliance work?
Often yes. Where an imported machine needs modification to meet Australian standards, some lenders will factor this in, though they usually want the machine compliant before final settlement. A broker will tell you which lenders accommodate compliance work and how to structure the finance around it.
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