Business loans for Amazon sellers

Amazon Lending offers short-term loans and lines of credit to grow your business. While it can be a great option for some sellers, it’s only available by invitation – making it out of reach for some. But even if you’ve received an Amazon Lending invitation, it’s a good idea to consider all your financing options to find the right fit.

7 financing options for Amazon sellers

Traditional business loans don’t always meet the needs of Amazon sellers. These financing alternatives may be more friendly to e-commerce businesses.

1. Amazon lending
2. Inventory financing
3. Business lines of credit
4. Short-term business loan
5. Merchant cash advance
6. Peer-to-peer business loan
7. Personal loan

1. Amazon Lending

Amazon Lending offers financing to sellers, however, there have been recent changes in how these loans are underwritten. On March 6, 2024, Amazon announced it stopped underwriting new business loans, though it will continue servicing existing ones. The decision is likely due to rising default rates and will force sellers to seek third-party financing, creating potential cash flow challenges. Amazon has yet to identify its trusted third-party, which may cause some uncertainty for sellers.

For borrowers, this shift does not have a significant impact on the terms or availability of financing, but it highlights a new direction in Amazon’s approach to managing lending risks.

Amazon’s financing programs include the following:

• Term loans. Amazon directly funds short-term business loans from $1,000 to $750,000 with terms up to 12 months. While it doesn’t advertise rates on its website, former borrowers cite rates of 6% to 16%.
• Lines of credit. Amazon partners with Marcus by Goldman Sachs to offer lines of credit with limits from $10,000 to $75,000 and APRs ranging from 6.99% to 20.99% APR.
• Interest only loans. Amazon’s interest only loans let sellers repay interest only for a set period. After the interest-only payment period expires, monthly principal and interest repayments are required.
• Amazon Community Lending. A program that offers low-cost term loans with nonprofit lender Lendistry. These run from $10,000 to $250,000 at an 8.00% to 9.90% APR with terms as long as five years.
• Merchant cash advance. Amazon gives sellers cash now to grow their business, and sellers repay the advance with their future sales. This program charges a fixed fee for the advance, not interest.

Application Process:

To apply for these programs, you must receive an invitation from Amazon. Typically, businesses that have used Amazon for at least one year and have consistent sales are eligible. Check your eligibility by logging on to Amazon Seller Central. If you qualify, you will see a message from Amazon Lending.

A major downside of Amazon Lending is that your funds are earmarked for Amazon alone. If you need capital to diversify your online store outside of the marketplace, you’ll have to look elsewhere.

2. Inventory financing

Some lenders offer short-term loans backed by the inventory you’re purchasing. Typically you can borrow about 80% of the value of the inventory. Often, inventory financing providers can send the funds directly to your supplier — and in some cases, you can finance your inventory before it’s manufactured.

E-commerce inventory loan providers like Kickfurther are often more streamlined than other types of lenders that offer business loans. Rather than asking for paperwork, online inventory lenders connect with your Amazon seller account to underwrite the loan. Payments are paid back in monthly installments or as a percentage of sales. Often you’re charged a fixed fee instead of interest, with APRs that can exceed 100%

3. Business lines of credit

Business lines of credit are designed to cover recurring expenses like stocking up on inventory. Much like a credit card, these give you access to a revolving credit line for purchases or cash withdrawals whenever you need it. Many online business lenders, like BlueVine, offer lines of credit with fast applications with e-commerce sellers in mind.

4. Short-term business loan

For one-time expenses, short-term business loans from providers like OnDeck could be a better option than a credit line. While term loans from banks are difficult for e-commerce sellers to qualify for, online lenders often have more flexible credit and revenue requirements. And they offer loan amounts that better meet the needs of Amazon sellers, usually from $5,000 to $500,000.

Most charge interest plus fees, which you pay back in fixed monthly repayments — usually over three to 28 months. The main drawback is that rates can get high, especially if you only have a small online store. Rates over 60% APR are common for this type of financing.

5. Merchant cash advance

With this option, you borrow a lump sum based on your credit card sales and repay it as a percentage of your daily or weekly sales, plus a fixed fee. Since it’s an advance on future sales, it’s not based on your credit score. A merchant cash advance from a lender like Fora Financial could help if you’re having cash flow issues.

6. Peer-to-peer business loan

A peer-to-peer (P2P) business loan is similar to a business term loan, except it’s funded by investors rather than a direct lender. Some small business owners prefer this option because it’s easier to qualify for than a bank loan. P2P platforms act as the middlemen between borrowers and investors: They oversee the application process, underwriting and repayment, but they don’t actually fund your loan.

You pay back these loans with interest and fees in monthly installments that can be expensive. Because P2P platforms don’t have the same return on investment as direct lenders, they typically charge higher origination fees. Funding Circle is one P2P lender that specializes in business loans.

7. Personal loan

Personal loans are good for online merchants just starting on Amazon, as many lenders allow you to use a personal loan for business expenses. This type of financing relies on your personal income and assets rather than your business’s, with loans typically ranging from $2,000 to $50,000.

APRs on personal loans currently range from 6% to 36% APR — sometimes including an origination fee of 1% to 10%. Like business term loans, you’re charged principal and interest that you pay back in monthly installments over two to seven years.

Compare a variety of business loans for Amazon sellers

These online providers may be a better option for Amazon sellers than a traditional bank loan. Compare personalized results by filling out the form with information about yourself and your Amazon store.

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$10M+ funded! Lendio business loans Finder Score: 4.8 / 5: ★★★★★ Lendio business loans Finder Score: 4.8 / 5: ★★★★★			$1,000	$5,000,000	Varies by lender	Operate business in US or Canada for 6 months or more, have a business bank account, minimum 500 personal credit score, at least $20,000 in monthly revenue	Submit one simple application to potentially get offers from a network of over 75 legit business lenders.	Go to siteMore Info Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Fundible Finder Score: 4.9 / 5: ★★★★★ Fundible Finder Score: 4.9 / 5: ★★★★★			$1,000	$10,000,000	Rates start at 1% per month	500+ FICO score, $200,000 annual revenue, 6 months in business, most recent business bank statements	Same day approval	Go to site Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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How to decide which loan offer is best for my business

The best loan offer is the one with the lowest rates and fees with payments you can afford. If you qualify, Amazon Lending offers solid terms for its sellers. However, if you’re new to Amazon or have other e-commerce websites, you may want to consider these other options:

• Short-term loans. A short-term option like a merchant cash advance may work if you need fast turnaround and repayment terms based on your actual sales. Costs for short-term financing can run high, though.
• Long-term loans. Best if you’re looking to expand beyond Amazon or you need to refinance large debts. Term business, personal and peer-to-peer loans tend to offer the longest terms and highest loan amounts.
• Line of credit. This option can work well if you need more flexible financing. Borrow what you need when you need it, and use it for any purpose in your business — from financing more inventory or paying for a new marketing campaign.

How to increase your chance of approval

You might find it hard to get financing for your business through traditional lenders unless you have a proven track record of sales and revenue. The good news is that nontraditional lenders may offer loans to Amazon sellers, although you’ll have to meet certain criteria.

Look for loans designed for new startups and small businesses. Merchant loans, short-term loans and P2P loans generally have less stringent lending criteria than traditional loans. You can also investigate getting a business or personal loan from a lender specializing in bad credit – although they charge origination fees to offset risk.

The more you narrow your lender search to those likely to work with your type of business, the better your chances of approval. After gaining traction, develop a detailed business plan with a financial advisor to help you secure lower-cost financing.

Bottom line

If you’re eager for financing, signing the first loan you’re offered may be tempting. But building a business plan and comparing different lenders first is key to finding the best rates and terms you’re eligible for.

Learn more about business financing and compare the eight most popular types of business lenders with our guide to business loans.

Frequently asked questions

What are the eligibility criteria for Amazon Lending?

You must have used Amazon for at least one year with consistent sales to be eligible.

How has Amazon Lending changed its loan offerings?

Amazon stopped underwriting term loans directly but continues to service active loans and market third-party financing.

Can I use Amazon Lending funds outside of Amazon?

No, Amazon Lending funds are earmarked for use within the Amazon marketplace only.

What is inventory financing, and how does it work?

Inventory financing provides businesses with funds to purchase inventory, using the inventory itself as collateral, making it a quick but often more expensive alternative to traditional bank loans.

What is a merchant cash advance, and who should consider it?

A merchant cash advance is a lump sum loan repaid as a percentage of your sales, ideal for businesses with fluctuating revenue needing quick cash.

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Holly Jennings and reviewed by Anna Serio, a member of Finder's Editorial Review Board.

Written by

Kat Aoki

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Kat Aoki was a personal finance writer at Finder, specializing in consumer and business lending. She’s written thousands of articles to help consumers make better decisions on their home loans, bank accounts, credit cards, cryptocurrency and more. Kat is well versed in working with leading brands in the real estate, mortgage and personal finance industries, and her expertise has been featured on Forbes Advisor, Lifewire and financial comparison sites like iSelect and realestate.com.au. She holds a BS in business administration from California State University, Sacramento and enjoys hiking and yoga in her spare time. See full bio

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