Synergy in Trade review: import and export trade finance for UK businesses

Synergy in Trade is a UK trade finance specialist based in Lutterworth, Leicestershire. It positions itself as the international trade team for companies that buy or sell abroad but do not have their own import or export staff, combining trade finance with the paperwork that makes it work. Synergy in Trade is one of the lenders on our panel, and as an independent broker we can compare its approach with other trade, stock and working capital funders. You can read more on Synergy in Trade's own website.

01About Synergy in Trade

Synergy in Trade focuses on international trade. Its work covers both directions: helping exporters get paid securely and fund production before goods ship, and helping importers pay overseas suppliers when they have orders to fulfil. It says it works with established businesses and start-ups, and that it has a strong reputation with many of the major banks, which matters because much of trade finance depends on bank instruments such as letters of credit and guarantees.

Alongside finance, it offers practical support such as handling letters of credit and freight tracking, which can take a real administrative load off a small team.

Smart Funding Solutions is an independent broker and is not part of Synergy in Trade.

02What Synergy in Trade funds and supports

Service	What it is for
Export letters of credit	Making sure you are paid for an export, with help preparing and presenting the documents
Pre-shipment finance	Funding to buy materials or make goods for an export order, using the export letter of credit as security
Import supplier payment finance	Paying overseas suppliers when you have customer orders for the goods you are importing
Bank guarantees	Guarantee instruments that overseas buyers or partners may ask for
UK Export Finance support	Help accessing the government's export credit agency for international projects
Freight tracking	Keeping track of shipments in transit

Synergy in Trade does not publish facility sizes or terms. In trade finance, the amount and length of funding usually follow the transaction itself: the value of the order, the supplier's terms, shipping times and when your customer pays.

How pre-shipment and import finance work

Illustrative example only, not a quote. A manufacturer wins an overseas order backed by a letter of credit from the buyer's bank. It needs to buy raw materials before it can make and ship the goods. Pre-shipment finance uses that letter of credit as security, so the manufacturer can pay for materials now and repay when the letter of credit pays out after shipment.

On the import side, a UK distributor has orders from its customers but must pay a supplier in Asia before the goods leave port. Import supplier payment finance pays the supplier, and the distributor repays once the goods arrive and its customers pay.

03Who Synergy in Trade suits (and who it may not)

It tends to suit:

• UK manufacturers and exporters with confirmed overseas orders, especially those paid by letter of credit.
• Importers and wholesalers with customer orders who need to pay suppliers upfront.
• Smaller firms without in-house trade finance expertise who want help with documents as well as funding.
• Start-ups with genuine orders, which Synergy in Trade says it will consider.

It may not be the best fit if:

• You want general working capital not linked to specific orders.
• You trade only within the UK, where invoice finance or a revolving facility is often simpler.
• You need to fund stock speculatively, without customer orders behind it.

On the import side, a UK distributor has orders from its customers but must pay a supplier in Asia before the goods leave port.

04What Synergy in Trade looks at

Trade finance is assessed transaction by transaction. You should typically expect to provide:

• The customer order or contract, and the letter of credit if there is one.
• Supplier details, pro forma invoices and payment terms.
• Shipping details: goods, routes, timescales and Incoterms.
• Your margin on the deal and how the funding is repaid.
• Company accounts or management information and details of the directors.

Synergy in Trade says it bases decisions on the integrity of the client, not just the strength of the balance sheet, and uses its experience with overseas suppliers to manage risk. For importers, it can also help negotiate terms with suppliers, for example using a letter of credit so the supplier knows it will be paid once there is evidence of shipment.

05Pros and cons

Pros

• Specialist focus on international trade, both import and export.
• Funding linked to real orders, which can open doors for smaller firms.
• Practical help with letters of credit and documentation.
• Considers start-ups with genuine orders.
• Can help with access to UK Export Finance.

Cons

• Not designed for general working capital.
• Published information on facility sizes and terms is limited.
• Each deal needs supporting documents, so it suits planned trade rather than last-minute needs.
• Businesses trading only in the UK may be better served elsewhere.

06Applying through a broker vs going direct

You can contact Synergy in Trade directly. Comparing first is useful because trade-related funding comes in several forms, and the right one depends on how your deals are structured. Purchase order finance, supply chain finance, export invoice finance and stock funding all solve slightly different problems.

We search the market across our panel of 300+ lenders, look at your trade cycle as a whole and approach the funders that fit it. It is free to enquire; any broker fee is disclosed separately before you proceed. Use our Instant Quotes tool to compare lenders in minutes.

07Alternatives to Synergy in Trade

• Revolve: a trade finance provider worth comparing if you need repeated funding for supplier payments.
• Playter: offers trade finance and business loans, and may suit firms that want flexible supplier payment terms.
• Pulse Cashflow Finance: combines trade finance with invoice finance, useful if you also need to fund customer invoices once goods are delivered.

For a wider view, our guide to import and export finance compares the main options.