# Funding a container of furniture inventory, from deposit to delivery

A container of furniture ties up cash from the supplier deposit until customers pay their balances weeks later. Build a week-by-week forecast of every payment out and every dollar in, find the lowest point, and request funding sized to that gap. The forecast below walks one hypothetical container from deposit to final delivery.

## Hypothetical example: container-to-customer cash forecast, $42,000 of goods

| Week | Event | Cash out / in | Running balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 30% supplier deposit on $42,000 of goods | -$12,600 | -$12,600 |
| 5 | Goods balance $29,400, ocean freight $6,500, cargo insurance $700 | -$36,600 | -$49,200 |
| 7 | Customer deposits on pre-sold pieces (50% of $30,000) | +$15,000 | -$34,200 |
| 9 | Container arrives: duties $4,200, port and trucking $1,800 | -$6,000 | -$40,200 |
| 10 | Warehouse storage and delivery crew | -$2,100 | -$42,300 |
| 11 | Customer balances on pre-sold pieces | +$15,000 | -$27,300 |
| 12 | Showroom sales, paid at purchase | +$20,000 | -$7,300 |
| 14 | More showroom sales, paid at purchase | +$15,000 | +$7,700 |

- Landed cost: $42,000 + $6,500 + $700 + $4,200 + $1,800 = $55,200.
- Total paid out: $55,200 + $2,100 = $57,300. Total received: $65,000. Net: $7,700, before any funding cost.
- Lowest point: -$49,200 in week 5.
All figures are hypothetical; duties, freight and timing vary by product and shipment, so confirm yours with your supplier and customs broker. Subtract the funding cost from your written offer from the $7,700.

## What is the landed cost of a furniture container?

Landed cost is everything it takes to get the goods onto your showroom floor, not just the price on the supplier's invoice.

In the forecast the goods cost $42,000, but freight, insurance, duties and port or trucking charges add $13,200, so the landed cost is $55,200. Divide that by the pieces in the container to get a true cost per item before you set shelf prices.

Ask your customs broker for the duty estimate and get freight in writing. Add a cushion for charges that appear late, such as container holding fees. Our guide on the [freight, duty and delivery cash gap](https://primefundingnow.com/guides/inventory-freight-duty-and-delivery-cash-gap/) explains why this bucket catches many owners off guard.

## How does transit time change the funding you need?

Every week the container is on the water is a week your cash is out and nothing is for sale, so transit time is part of the funding period.

Here the lowest balance, -$49,200, falls in week 5, right after the goods balance and freight are paid. The container does not arrive until week 9, and the first showroom sale does not post until week 12. That is seven weeks between your biggest payment and your first walk-in sale.

Check the supplier's production schedule and the shipping line's estimate, then add a buffer for port delays. A funding period sized only to the supplier's date can run short. Our guide to [supplier deposit and final balance funding](https://primefundingnow.com/guides/supplier-deposit-and-final-balance-funding/) shows how to split a request across the two payments.

## What should you plan for showroom and storage space?

Furniture is bulky, so know where the container's contents will sit and what that space costs before the goods land.

A full container can overflow a showroom in a single delivery. Decide which pieces go on the floor, which go to a warehouse and which ship straight to waiting customers. Storage fees, a delivery crew and unloading equipment are real costs, shown here as $2,100 in week 10.

Also plan floor space for slower pieces. A sofa line that sells in weeks will clear faster than a dining set with six chairs, so mix the order accordingly. For stores in general, the [retail stores](https://primefundingnow.com/industries/retail-stores/) page lists other buying opportunities that follow the same pattern.

## How do customer deposits and delivery dates affect the forecast?

Customer deposits on special-order or pre-sold pieces bring cash in before the container arrives, which reduces how much you need to fund.

In the forecast, $30,000 of pre-sold pieces brings $15,000 in week 7 and another $15,000 at delivery in week 11. Without that deposit, the week 7 balance would be -$49,200 instead of -$34,200 and the gap would stay wider for longer.

Be careful with promised delivery dates. If the container is late, customers wait, and some will ask for deposit refunds. Keep your deposit terms in writing and make sure the cash you count on is not owed back.

For a purchase like this, [working capital for inventory deals](https://primefundingnow.com/funding-solutions/working-capital-for-inventory-deals/) is often the product that fits, because it is built around a one-time buy. When your forecast is ready, you can describe the container on [the application page](https://primefundingnow.com/apply/).

## Frequently asked questions

**How much should I ask for on a container order?**

Start with the lowest point of your forecast, not just the supplier invoice. In the example that is $49,200, because freight and the goods balance land together. Then consider deposits you have already collected and cash you can contribute yourself.

**Do customer deposits help my application?**

They can. Signed customer orders and received deposits show demand for part of the container. Funders still look at the whole business, so include the order forms and bank statements that show the deposits arriving.

**Which documents are useful for a container purchase?**

Bring recent business bank statements, a government-issued ID, a voided business check, the supplier proforma invoice, freight quote and any customer deposit records. Larger requests may add tax returns or financial statements.

**What if the container is delayed?**

Build a buffer into your timeline and ask your funder how repayment works if the schedule slips. A forecast with two or three extra weeks of carrying time is safer than one that assumes everything arrives on the first date.

**Is this worth funding for every container?**

Not always. If the landed cost leaves a thin margin after funding costs, or if you cannot sell the goods within a reasonable time, buying a smaller order is usually wiser. Compare dollars before deciding.

Apply: https://primefundingnow.com/apply/
Canonical: https://primefundingnow.com/opportunities/furniture-retailer-container-order/
Updated: 2026-10-17