Manufacturing machinery
CNC machines, presses, production lines, automation and engineering equipment sourced from Europe and other overseas markets.
Fund equipment from overseas
Finance machinery and equipment imported into the UK.
UK limited companies can potentially finance machinery and specialist equipment purchased from overseas suppliers. DCF helps structure the transaction around the asset, supplier and delivery timetable.
UK limited companiesEstablished 2011Independent broker
Finance around your business
Overseas purchases need more planning than a normal UK supplier deal.
Imported equipment can involve foreign-currency invoices, deposits, staged payments, shipping and commissioning before the asset is working in the UK. These points need to be understood before the order is committed.
DCF can approach suitable lenders with the full transaction rather than treating the machine price in isolation. We have arranged finance involving specialist equipment built overseas for UK businesses.
Finance is subject to status and lender approval. Deposits, rates, terms and any guarantees depend on your business, the asset and the lender.
What we can help fund
The right asset for the work ahead.
Specialist vehicles and plant
Purpose-built vehicles, construction equipment and specialist plant where the manufacturer or supplier is outside the UK.
Complete equipment projects
Transactions involving delivery, installation, commissioning or staged supplier payments, subject to lender criteria.
Your funding options
Ownership or use. Understand the difference.
Hire purchase
Spread the purchase cost through an agreed repayment schedule. Ownership can pass to your business once all contractual payments and any option-to-purchase fee have been paid.
Ask us to set out the initial payment, monthly cost, fees and any final payment together, so you can compare the full commitment.
Finance lease
Your business uses the asset in return for rentals, while the finance provider retains ownership. End-of-term arrangements depend on the agreement and should be understood before you sign.
We can explain the initial rental, ongoing payments and the options available when the primary term ends.
Explore the detail in our hire purchase, finance lease and contract hire comparison and VAT on asset finance guide.
Make the purchase work
Look beyond the monthly payment.
Supplier and payment schedule
Lenders will want to understand who is being paid, where they are based and whether deposits or stage payments are required before delivery.
Currency and import costs
Separate the equipment price, freight, duties, VAT, installation and other costs so the proposed funding is clear.
Delivery and acceptance
Funding conditions may depend on delivery, inspection, serial numbers or acceptance in the UK. Establish this before agreeing supplier milestones.
Start with the essentials
What to send us.
A supplier quote or listing is a useful starting point. We will confirm which supporting documents the lender needs.
Start your enquiry- Supplier quotation and full equipment specification.
- Supplier country, payment details and proposed payment schedule.
- Deposit or staged-payment requirements.
- Expected shipping, delivery, installation and commissioning dates.
- Company details and explanation of how the asset will be used.
- Accounts, bank statements or forecasts where requested.
A clear next step
How it works with DCF.
- 01
Send the overseas quote
Share the supplier, asset and payment schedule before committing where possible.
- 02
Structure the transaction
We identify lenders able to consider the asset and overseas supplier arrangements.
- 03
Satisfy conditions
Complete credit, supplier, asset and documentation requirements.
- 04
Fund and deliver
Payment is made in line with the lender’s agreed conditions and the equipment is brought into service.
Your questions answered
Imported machinery finance: frequently asked questions
Can a UK company finance machinery bought from Germany or Europe?
Potentially, yes. The lender will consider the asset, overseas supplier, payment route, delivery arrangements and the UK business. DCF can review the proposed transaction before you commit.
Can the lender pay a deposit to an overseas manufacturer?
Sometimes, but advance and staged payments are lender-specific. Share the supplier payment schedule early because many standard asset-finance facilities only release funds after delivery.
Can used imported machinery be financed?
Used imported machinery may be considered. Age, condition, value, provenance, serial numbers and the seller will be important.
Can shipping and installation be included?
Some lenders may include eligible associated costs; others fund only the asset. Ask the supplier to itemise freight, installation and commissioning.
What if the invoice is in euros?
Foreign-currency transactions need an agreed payment route and clear sterling funding requirement. Exchange-rate movement can affect the final amount, so discuss this before completion.
Has DCF funded equipment built overseas before?
Yes. One recent case involved a specialist Vac-Ex vehicle built in Germany for a Kent-based civil engineering business.
From the DCF knowledge centre
Common questions about imported machinery finance
- Can I finance machinery bought from Germany?
- Can asset finance cover staged payments to an overseas manufacturer?
- Can installation and commissioning be financed with imported machinery?
- What if my machinery invoice is in euros but the finance is in pounds?
Let’s talk about your next purchase
Bring us the plan. We will do the legwork.
Based in Kent and supporting limited companies across the UK. Tell us what you need and we will explore suitable lenders on our panel.
Direct Commercial Finance Ltd is a commercial finance broker, not a lender. Finance is subject to status and lender approval.