U.S. Export-Import Bank
EXIM Export Credit Insurance
Government-backed protection for U.S. exporters selling on open account terms to foreign buyers.
DISCUSS YOUR SITUATIONOverview
What Is EXIM Export Credit Insurance?
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) is the official export credit agency of the U.S. government. EXIM export credit insurance protects U.S. exporters against the risk of non-payment by foreign buyers due to commercial or political causes — allowing exporters to offer competitive open-account terms with confidence.
J. Maxime Roy, Inc. is an EXIM Platinum Tier Broker and three-time EXIM Broker of the Year — 2004, 2018 and 2025.
—
Who May Qualify
EXIM export credit insurance is available to U.S. exporters who meet the following general criteria:
- The exporter is a U.S. company or individual.
- The exported goods or services contain at least 50% U.S. content.
- The buyer is a foreign entity (not a U.S. company or individual).
- The transaction does not involve military or defense articles.
- The destination country is not on EXIM's restricted country list.
Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis. Contact us to discuss your specific situation.
Coverage
What EXIM Insurance Covers
EXIM export credit insurance provides protection against two broad categories of risk:
Commercial Risks
- Buyer insolvency or bankruptcy (30-day waiting period after filing)
- Protracted default — non-payment within 90–240 days after the invoice due date
- Buyer's failure to accept goods that conform to the contract
Commercial risk coverage is typically 90% of the insured invoice value.
Political Risks
- Currency inconvertibility or transfer restrictions
- Expropriation, nationalization, or confiscation by a foreign government
- War, revolution, insurrection, or civil strife
- Cancellation of an import or export license
Political risk coverage is typically 95% of the insured invoice value.
Exclusions
What EXIM Insurance Does Not Cover
Like all insurance policies, EXIM export credit insurance has exclusions. Common exclusions include:
- Disputes over the quality, quantity, or condition of goods or services
- Pre-shipment risks (losses occurring before goods are shipped)
- Sales to buyers in EXIM-restricted countries
- Transactions involving military or defense articles
- Losses caused by the exporter's own actions or failure to perform
Coverage is subject to the terms, conditions, and exclusions of the specific policy issued.
How Credit Limits Work
Under some multi-buyer policies, an experienced exporter may be given Discretionary Credit Limit (DCL) authority to establish coverage on buyers up to a specified amount without prior EXIM approval. For buyers exceeding DCL authority or under policies without DCL, a Special Buyer Credit Limit (SBCL) application is submitted to EXIM for approval.
Using EXIM Insurance to Support Financing
EXIM export credit insurance can be assigned to a lender, allowing the insured receivables to be used as collateral for export working capital loans. This can improve borrowing-base availability, reduce lender concentration concerns, and support more favorable loan terms for exporters with significant foreign receivables.
Policy Types
EXIM Export Credit Insurance Policy Options
EXIM offers several policy types designed to match different exporter profiles and transaction structures.
Express Policy
Designed for small and new-to-export businesses with less than 5 years of experience exporting on credit terms. Simplified application and streamlined underwriting.
No more than 5 years of experience exporting on credit terms.
Small Business Policy
For small businesses with growing export programs. Offers flexible terms and multi-buyer coverage with online policy management.
Multi-buyer, flexible credit limits
Multi-Buyer Policy
Comprehensive coverage for established exporters insuring their entire export portfolio or a defined portion of it across multiple buyers and markets.
Broad portfolio coverage
Select Risk Policy
Allows exporters to insure specific buyers or transactions rather than their entire portfolio — useful for managing concentrated exposures.
Selective buyer or transaction coverage
Single Buyer Policy
Provides coverage on a single foreign buyer or a small number of buyers. Ideal for exporters with significant exposure to one customer.
Single or few buyers, high limits
EXIM
Want to Compare the EXIM Policy Options?
Not sure which policy fits your situation? We've prepared a detailed side-by-side comparison.
FAQ