Quick answer
When a supplier wants a deposit to hold stock, a price or a production slot, a fast cash flow or short-term loan can fund it, often within 24 hours of applying and sometimes the same day. New Zealand lenders will want the supplier's quote or pro forma invoice, your bank statements and a clear plan for paying the balance and repaying the loan from sales.
Key points
- A deposit often unlocks a better price or the only available stock.
- Lenders want to see the supplier's paperwork and how the balance will be paid.
- Funds can often be paid straight to the supplier.
- Check the deposit is refundable or protected before borrowing.
- Typical fit
- Cash flow or short-term loan
- Speed
- Often within 24 hours
- Key document
- Pro forma invoice or quote
- Unsecured range
- $5,000 to $500,000
“We can hold it for you until Thursday with a 30% deposit.” Every importer, builder and retailer has heard some version of that sentence. Sometimes it’s a sales tactic; often it’s a genuine opportunity — a production slot, a container allocation, an end-of-line price. If the cash isn’t free by Thursday, the deal goes to someone else.
Is this deposit worth borrowing for?
Before applying, check the deal stands up on its own:
- What’s the saving or advantage? A lower unit price, exclusive stock, guaranteed supply before a peak season.
- Is the deposit protected? Is it refundable if the supplier fails to deliver? Is there a written agreement?
- When is the balance due? On shipping, on delivery, or on payment terms after delivery?
- When will you sell it? The loan should be repaid from the sales the stock creates.
- Does the margin cover the cost? Compare the loan’s total cost in dollars with the extra profit.
If the answers are good, speed becomes the priority.
How fast can a supplier deposit be funded?
Deposits usually suit unsecured cash flow or short-term loans, which don’t need property checks. With six months of business bank statements, photo ID and the supplier’s quote ready, our aim of funding within 24 hours of your first application is realistic, and smaller amounts can be funded the same day.
What lenders will ask for:
| Document | Why |
|---|---|
| Supplier quote or pro forma invoice | Confirms amount, terms and the supplier’s details |
| Business bank statements (6 months) | Shows trading capacity |
| Photo ID for directors | Identity verification |
| Your plan for the balance | So the deposit isn’t stranded |
| Sales history for similar stock (optional) | Strengthens the repayment story |
If the hold expires soon, apply now and mention the deadline.
Which loan fits a deposit?
- One-off deposit, quick turnaround on sales → cash flow loan or short-term loan.
- Regular deposits through the year → a line of credit is easier than applying each time.
- Very large orders, or deposit plus balance → a property-secured facility may give a larger amount; property-secured amounts from $20k to $250k are possible the same day.
What about overseas suppliers?
Many New Zealand importers pay deposits offshore. A few points:
- International transfers take time. Funds landing in your account today may reach the supplier one to several business days later.
- Exchange rate movements can change the dollar amount. Leave some headroom.
- Verify bank details by phone with a known contact. Invoice fraud targeting deposits is common; never rely only on an emailed change of bank details.
An illustrative deposit deal
A Hamilton outdoor equipment retailer is offered a container of camping gear at a 22% discount if it pays a $48,000 deposit by Friday, with the $112,000 balance due on arrival in eight weeks. Its statements show strong spring and summer sales. A short cash flow loan funds the deposit on Thursday; the balance is paid on arrival from a line of credit, and both are repaid from December trading. (Illustrative only.)
What could go wrong?
- Supplier fails to deliver — check the protections in your agreement.
- Shipping delays — the stock arrives after the peak, and repayment is slower than planned.
- Over-ordering — a great price on stock that sits for a year isn’t a great price.
Plan for a delay of a few weeks when you choose the loan term.
How do I protect the deposit?
A deposit is money at risk until the goods arrive. Before you pay:
- Get the terms in writing — what the deposit secures, the delivery date and what happens if the supplier can’t deliver.
- Check the supplier — trading history, references, and for New Zealand companies, their Companies Office record.
- Confirm bank details by phone using a number you already know, not one in the email asking for payment.
- Pay to a business account in the supplier’s name.
- Keep records of every communication and payment.
These checks take less than an hour and protect both your business and the loan that funded the deposit.
Deposit plus balance: planning both payments
Many deposit deals have two payment points, and it’s worth funding them deliberately:
| Payment | Typical timing | Common funding |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | Days after the offer | Short cash flow loan |
| Balance | On shipping, arrival or delivery | Line of credit, trading cash, or a second short loan |
| GST on imports | When goods clear customs | Trading cash or line of credit |
Planning the balance before you pay the deposit avoids the worst outcome: a paid deposit with no money for the rest. If the balance is large, a single facility that covers both — sized for the peak — may be simpler than two separate loans.
What if the supplier wants the deposit today?
Same-day funding is possible for smaller unsecured amounts when you apply early on a business day with statements, ID and the supplier’s invoice ready. If the deadline is today and it’s already afternoon, ask the supplier for a short extension while funding completes — most will agree to a day when they know payment is coming.
Lock in the deal before the hold expires
When a supplier’s offer is genuinely good and the clock is running, fast funding can secure it within a day. Find out what you qualify for in about 60 seconds. There’s no credit check to ask, we won’t circulate your details among lenders, and a real person will call to work through the deposit and balance with you. Please include the supplier’s deadline and the exact deposit amount on the form — that’s what we plan around.
Frequently asked questions
Can the lender pay my supplier directly?
Often yes. Paying the supplier directly is common and can speed up settlement. Provide the supplier's verified bank details.
What if the supplier is overseas?
Lenders can usually fund the deposit into your account for you to pay by international transfer. Allow time for the payment to reach the supplier.
Should I borrow the deposit and the balance?
It depends on timing. If the balance is due on delivery and you'll have sold some stock by then, borrowing only the deposit may be enough. Map out when each payment falls.
Is a supplier deposit a good reason to borrow?
It can be, when the deal is genuinely better — a lower unit price, an exclusive line or stock you can't otherwise get — and the margin covers the loan cost.