Amazon Business Line of Credit: UK Availability and Alternatives

Amazon offers several financing options globally, but their availability and terms can vary significantly by region. In the UK, Amazon does not currently offer a business line of credit in the same way as it does in the US via partnerships like Synchrony Bank​​. However, there are a range of Amazon financing solutions for sellers on their platform. In this article we’ll look at the options available and alternative finance for Amazon sellers.

What financing does Amazon UK offer?

If you’re an Amazon Business user in the UK, you can choose from their Pay by Invoice service, Flexible Financing Lines or the dedicated Amazon Business American Express Card.

1. Pay by Invoice

Pay by Invoice is an invite-only program that allows eligible Amazon Business customers to defer payments for up to 30 days or extend terms to 45 or 60 days with a Business Prime membership. Features include consolidated invoices, detailed analytics, and easy account management​.

• Best for: Businesses purchasing regularly on Amazon, seeking short-term flexibility.
• Limitations: Only applicable to Amazon purchases; requires eligibility approval.

2. Flexible Financing Line

Launched in 2023, this financing solution facilitated by YouLend provides UK-based Amazon sellers with a pre-approved funding line. Sellers can draw amounts as needed with no interest or annual costs, paying only a one-time fixed fee per withdrawal​, working in a similar way to a business line of credit.

• Best for: Amazon sellers looking to boost inventory or fund marketing campaigns with repayment tied to sales.
• Limitations: Restricted to Amazon sellers; fees depend on withdrawal amounts.

Amazon also offers Merchant Cash Advance services as part of its YouLend partnership.

3. Amazon Business American Express Card

The Amazon Business American Express Card is a business credit card that offers 1.5% cashback on Amazon purchases or extended payment terms of up to 60 days, making it a good fit for businesses managing cash flow​.

• Best for: Businesses preferring a hybrid between rewards and payment flexibility.
• Limitations: Annual fee of £50 after the first year; requires an Amazon Business account.

What are the alternatives to an Amazon business lines of credit?

For businesses seeking flexible financing that extends beyond Amazon, there are a range of options available designed to fit the needs of online businesses, including iwoca Flexi-Loan, invoice financing and inventory finance.‍

1. Small business loans

While Amazon finance can be a useful way for Amazon sellers to access capital, it can also be less flexible, with conditions and eligibility criteria that may not suit every seller. That’s where a small business loan can prove more suitable.

For flexible finance for any business, over 90,000 SMEs have chosen an iwoca Flexi-Loan, which offers simple applications, fast approvals and the ability to control your borrowing level and shorten your term as needed.

• Draw down as needed: Get approved for £1,000 to £1,000,000, and only pay interest on the amount you actually use. You can also top up your loan once you’ve repaid a certain amount, if you need more funding.
• Fast approvals: Get approved in as little as 24hrs and see the funds deposited into your account as soon as the same day.
• Customisable repayment terms: Repayment periods range from a day to five years, and you can always overpay or repay your loan early with no fees.
• Clear pricing: iwoca offers fair, upfront pricing with no hidden cost.

Unlike Amazon-specific financing, iwoca’s solution is not tied to a particular platform, making it versatile for a range of business needs. Find out more with our business loan calculator.

2. Invoice financing

For businesses waiting on revenue from outstanding invoices, invoice finance allows businesses to turn accounts payable into extra working capital.

• Invoice finance helps bridge the gap between invoicing and payment, which can be especially helpful for businesses working in the wholesale sector. 
• Working with an invoice financing or factoring partner lets your business access up to 90% of the invoice value almost immediately without waiting for your customers to settle their accounts. Once the invoices are paid, you receive the rest of the balance, minus the finance providers fee.

3. Inventory finance

For sellers looking to refresh their inventory or use existing products as collateral for finance, inventory finance can be a valuable way to boost your cash flow and support your inventory management.

• Inventory loans are particularly useful for retail businesses looking to maintain fuller inventory levels, such as restocking during peak seasons or dealing with uneven sales cycles.
• You can access the funds to purchase new inventory, place bigger orders or maintain product availability when cash is tight.

Keep your Amazon business moving forward with iwoca

Amazon finance products can help eligible sellers access funding through the Amazon platform, with a focus on the needs of ecommerce businesses. However, eligibility for these products is tightly controlled, with limits on how it can be used, meaning it might not always be the best option for every business.

For UK-based Amazon looking for fast, flexible finance, an iwoca Flexi-Loan can help you access the capital you need, with full control and broad flexibility to use the funds as you see fit.

• Apply in minutes and get funded in as little as 24 hours. 
• Pay interest only on what you draw down, and repay early with no extra fees.
• Top up your loan once you’ve repaid a certain amount to keep your business on track.

Find out more about our range of unsecured loans and short term loans.