Shopping Line Cover
Securing exports as a bank or importers outside Germany
Unlock global opportunities
As part of a broader package to enhance export credit guarantees, the improved Shopping Line Cover provides new incentives for international importers to expand their supplier networks in Germany. This opens up new opportunities for German industrial companies — especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) — to participate in global procurement programs and major international projects.
Going forward, this financing solution will be available to creditworthy importers worldwide. By reducing documentation requirements, simplifying disbursement procedures, offering flexible repayment terms, and implementing other user-friendly improvements, the enhanced Shopping Line Cover creates a more attractive and competitive environment for German exporters.
Access to international procurement programs
For financial institutions
Tailored financing solutions – added value for importers and exporters
Our offering can be flexibly expanded with customized financing solutions that benefit both importers and exporters. These instruments support the successful implementation of international projects while reducing financial risk. Simplified processes and flexible repayment terms deliver tangible added value and make cross-border business easier than ever.
Securing financing as a partner bank – with government backing
The Shopping Line Cover enables banks to secure dedicated, revolving credit lines that grant access to the procurement programs of large, creditworthy foreign buyers. Multiple transactions from various German exporters can be bundled into one or more tranches under a single credit facility. The resulting loan receivables are backed by a federal guarantee – ensuring stability and confidence in international trade financing.
Good to know: Specially adapted terms are available for this type of business structure, making the Shopping Line Cover even more flexible.
For importers abroad
Boost Your Business with Flexible Financing for German Products
Access to high-quality German products is now easier, strengthening global supply chains. Our enhanced financing options provide the flexibility and security needed to optimize procurement strategies. Expand your business relationships with innovative German suppliers and unlock new global opportunities, increasing your competitiveness with simplified international financing.
Unlock Global Potential with Simplified Financing
With flexible financing options, German exporters can expand worldwide, build stronger supplier relationships, and access tailored international procurement programs. This enhanced support boosts competitiveness in major global markets, ensuring businesses can seize international opportunities with ease.
Shopping Line Cover
I am a financial institution
Target group
German credit institutions
Branches of foreign banks based in Germany
Foreign banks (under certain conditions)
Payment term of hedged transactions for credit institutions
Short-term (up to 24 months)
Medium/long-term (from 24 months)
The internationally permissible credit period is reduced by the utilization period of the credit line
Insurable risks
Shopping Line Cover offers protection against payment default, in particular due to
insolvency of the borrower
non-payment within one month of the due date (protracted default)
government measures and warlike events
non-conversion/transfer of local currency amounts
Supplementary cover
If required, the Shopping Line Cover can be supplemented by
Securitization guarantee (for refinancing export loans - improved conditions in favor of the refinancer)
Pfandbrief cover (for Pfandbrief banks for refinancing in their own Pfandbrief business - hedging the risk of debt withdrawal in favor of Pfandbrief creditors)
Securitization guarantee for the KfW refinancing program (creates the possibility of participating in the KfW program, with which liquidity can be provided by refinancing federally covered receivables)
Exporters are free to provide their own cover outside the Shopping Line Cover in favor of a bank (e.g. a Manufacturing risk cover).
Special features
Shopping Line Cover can also be used as cover for short-term payment terms. Exports with a credit period of up to 24 months to EU and OECD core countries (i.e. EU member states, Australia, Iceland, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, the USA and the United Kingdom) are an exception
Supplementary information
The Bundesverband deutscher Banken e.V. (BdB) and the Bundesverband Öffentlicher Banken Deutschlands e.V. (VÖB) have jointly commissioned a legal opinion on the effectiveness and enforceability of financial credit protection for the purposes of the first subparagraph of Article 194(1) of Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 (CRR). Under certain circumstances, the expert opinion can be made available to institutions within the meaning of the CRR upon request. Such requests must be addressed to the BdB or VÖB via the respective national banking association to which the institution in question belongs
Fee
A one-off percentage of the covered credit line (excluding interest) and special processing fees
The detailed calculation is possible via a Calculation tool possible
Deductible
5 % for all risks
Securing credit lines as a financing bank
Shopping Line Cover is intended to provide access to the procurement programs of large foreign customers with strong credit ratings. To this end, banks have the option of securing a corresponding, consumable credit line. For the purpose of utilization, transactions of different exporting German entities are combined into one or more tranches. The corresponding loan receivables are secured by the federal government.
Good to know: Shopping Line Cover, which is modified by special conditions, is available for these business structures.
I am an importer outside Germany
Target group
Importers based outside Germany
Shopping Line Cover enables companies outside Germany to import German products flexibly and securely. As a tailor-made financing solution, it facilitates access to high-quality goods and supports long-term purchasing planning. This model is particularly suitable for companies that regularly purchase German products and want to benefit from predictable, secure financing.
Advantages of Shopping Line Cover for importers
Financial flexibility - Enables financing of goods deliveries over a fixed credit line
Risk minimization - Offers protection against payment defaults and facilitates business transactions with exporting German entities
Optimized liquidity - Reduces immediate capital commitment and creates more scope for other investments
Efficient processing - Simplifies the import process through structured and transparent payment terms
Strengthened supply chains - Makes it easier to build and maintain long-term relationships with German suppliers
Insurable risks
Shopping Line Cover offers protection against payment default, in particular due to
insolvency of the borrower
non-payment within one month of the due date (protracted default)
government measures and warlike events
non-conversion/transfer of local currency amounts
Further information on hedging transactions with trading partners from Germany
Your way to buy 'Made in Germany' (EN) | Hermes Cover
Financing experts abroad | Federal Export Credit Guarantees
Premium-Calculator
Get an indicative all-in fee including financing plan with just a few entries.
The Premium Calculator was designed for foreign importers, among others, and provides an initial indication. The tool is currently only available in English.
Apply for Shopping Line Cover
You can easily apply for this product online in the myAGA customer portal. Please submit your digital application there to apply for cover for your export business with Shopping Line Cover. To do this, register once and effortlessly in just a few steps on our myAGA customer portal. If you are already a myAGA user, you can log in directly with your access data.
If you need help with your application or have any questions about the right product for you, please contact our company advisors.
Do you have further questions about Shopping Line Cover?
Downloads
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FAQ - Shopping Line Cover
What supplementary cover is available?
If required, the Shopping Line cover can be supplemented by
- Securitization guarantee (for refinancing export loans - improved conditions in favour of the refinancer)
- Pfandbrief cover (for Pfandbrief banks for refinancing in their own Pfandbrief business - hedging of the debt withdrawal risk in favor of the Pfandbrief creditors)
- Securitization guarantee for the KfW refinancing programme (creates the possibility of participating in the KfW programme, which can be used to provide liquidity by refinancing federally covered receivables)
- Exporters are free to apply for their own cover (e.g. manufacturing risk cover) outside the Shopping Line Cover in favor of a bank.
What are the special features compared to traditional buyer credit cover?
With Shopping Line Cover, banks can use their experience with the Federal Government's tied buyer credit cover (FKG). Compared to this, however, numerous improvements have been implemented, which facilitate processing in particular. To this end, the General Terms and Conditions (FKG) are modified by special conditions. A letter of interest (LOI) can be issued at an early stage at the request of the foreign customer or the bank that will later provide the credit line.
By assuming Shopping Line Cover, the Federal Government covers receivables from a consuming credit line that the bank grants to a foreign customer. This foreign customer can then place procurement orders with various German exporters. All parties involved benefit from administrative simplifications. The main advantage for the bank is that only credit documentation is required, for example.
The environmental, social and human rights assessment (ESHR assessment) complies with international standards, in particular those of the OECD. Processing is facilitated by the fact that certain audit elements are brought forward where necessary.
How can the cover be used by the bank providing the cover for refinancing?
The claims arising from the Shopping Line Cover can be assigned - together with the loan claim - to other banks. It is also possible to use the shopping line cover for refinancing in your own Pfandbrief business by means of additional Pfandbrief cover. Furthermore, a securitization guarantee can be used to improve the conditions of Shopping Line Cover in favour of the refinancing assignee so that the bank can refinance at a lower interest rate (see product information on 'Pfandbrief cover' and 'Securitization guarantee').