The applicant must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the Export Express Program:

• In operation (not necessarily in exporting) for at least 12 full months. (If this requirement isn’t met, the business may still be eligible for this program with clearly demonstrated exportation expertise)
• The loan proceeds will allow the business to enter a new export market or expand an existing export market.
• Loan proceeds will be used for an export development activity
• If proceeds are being used to finance indirect exports, the SBA will require certification from the applicant’s domestic customer (typically in the form of a letter, invoice, order or contract) that the goods or services are in fact being exported.
• Proceeds will not be used to finance overseas operations, except for the marketing and/or distribution of products/services exported from the U.S.
• If the proceeds are being used to finance specific export transactions, the lender must verify that U.S. companies are authorized to conduct business with the proposed country(ies) to which the goods or services will be shipped and has reviewed the Ex-Im Bank Country Limitation Schedule (CLS)
• The Export Express loan will not refinance an existing SBA-guaranteed loan.

The SBA guarantees 90% for proceeds of up to $350,000 and 75% for loans of up to $500,000. The maximum loan amount is $500,000.

The Export Express Program offers quick-approval loans to established businesses that want to start exporting or that need funds for export activities. Financing may take the form of a line of credit or term loan. The SBA guarantees 90% for proceeds of up to $350,000 and 75% for loans of up to $500,000. The maximum loan amount is $500,000.

For more information, please refer to the SBA Export Express loan program and the SBA Loan Chart.

The Small Business Administration's streamlined application process results in approval or disapproval in 36 hours or less. Applicants have to go to their existing lenders to get funding through SBA Export Express. When approved, the lender submits information about the borrower to the SBA.

To apply for the Export Express Program, you will need to provide the following documents:

• Proof of business operation for at least 12 full months (or evidence of export expertise if the business has been in operation for less than 12 months)
• Documentation that the loan proceeds will be used for an export development activity
• Certification from the applicant’s domestic customer (in the form of a letter, invoice, order or contract) that the goods or services are in fact being exported
• Verification that U.S. companies are authorized to conduct business with the proposed country(ies) to which the goods or services will be shipped
• Review of the Ex-Im Bank Country Limitation Schedule (CLS)

You will need to go to your existing lender to get funding through SBA Export Express. The lender must be approved to issue financing under the program. When approved, the lender submits information about the borrower to the SBA.

For more information, please visit https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/articles/oit_export_express_business_0.pdf and https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/articles/Loan_Chart_HQ_February_2017_Version_B_0.pdf.

The Export Express Program offers small businesses a number of advantages. First, the application process is streamlined and approval or disapproval is given in 36 hours or less. Second, the SBA guarantees 90% of proceeds for loans up to $350,000 and 75% for loans up to $500,000. Third, businesses that demonstrate that the funds from the Export Express program would help them export goods can receive up to $500,000 to use for product translations, equipment, inventory, or even real estate and land. Finally, the requirement of being in operation for one year may be waived if the company's leadership has sufficient export expertise and if the lender uses underwriting procedures in its approval process.

Sources:

• https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/articles/oit_export_express_business_0.pdf
• https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/articles/Loan_Chart_HQ_February_2017_Version_B_0.pdf
• www.sba7a.loans/sba-7a-loans-small-business-blog/what-are-the-sba-7a-loan-programs