How to grow your payments app with import and export traders
By SendPay Business · · 2 min read
Small import and export traders move goods such as clothing, electronics, spare parts, food and cosmetics between countries, often selling to shops, market traders and wholesalers at home. They usually pay a deposit to suppliers, then shipping, clearing and duty costs, and collect from buyers in parts, sometimes on credit. Keeping track of who has paid for which shipment takes time. A payments app that takes deposits from buyers, sends invoices with payment links and keeps a clear record per shipment can win traders, and every shop and wholesaler they supply sees your app.
Talk to import and export traders
Ask local traders:
- How do your buyers pay you today, and how often do they pay late?
- Do buyers pay a deposit before goods arrive?
- How do you pay suppliers, shipping and clearing agents?
- How do you keep track of payments for each shipment?
Take deposits before goods ship
Asking buyers for a deposit by payment link when they order means traders are not paying for the whole shipment out of their own pocket.
Invoice buyers per shipment
An invoice with a payment link for each shipment, with a clear record of what has been paid, makes it easier to collect the balance when goods arrive.
Grow through the trade chain
Every trader works with clearing agents, hauliers, wholesalers and shops. When those businesses pay and get paid through your app, one trader can bring a whole chain onto it.
Build it
Create your own financial platform.
Pick a template, name it, brand it, preview every page before you pay. Your brand, your users, your fees.
Build my platform →Questions people ask
What about clearing and forwarding agents?
The clearing and forwarding agents guide covers getting goods through ports, borders and customs for importers and traders, and collecting fees and charges.
Clearing and forwarding agents →What about wholesalers and distributors?
The wholesalers and distributors guide covers selling to hundreds of small shops, often collecting cash on delivery, and getting paid safely.
Wholesalers and distributors →Can I call it a bank?
In most countries "bank" is a protected word you can only use with a banking licence. Call it an account, a wallet, an app or a platform. The accounts and payments behind a SendPay Business platform are powered by licensed partners.
Is there a step-by-step plan I can follow?
Yes. The free launch checklist takes you from picking your people and naming your app to setting fees, going live and winning your first ten customers.
Digital bank app launch checklist →How do I start?
Pick a template, name it and preview every page before you pay. Your platform can be live on your own domain within 24 hours of confirmation.
Build my platform →Read next
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. SendPay Business is a technology company, not a bank, and does not take deposits; regulated services on the platforms are provided by licensed partners. PayPal, Patreon and Substack are named as reference points only and are not affiliated with SendPay Business.