Cashflow
Category: Finance
Definition (plain English)
The timing and availability of cash coming into and leaving the business across deposits, supplier balances, freight, duty, VAT, customer receipts, and financing costs.
Why it matters commercially
Import and wholesale cycles often require cash before goods are sold or collected, so a profitable shipment can still fail if payment timing is not funded.
Example
A distributor had margin on paper, but cash tightened because the supplier balance, import VAT, and port charges were due six weeks before retailer invoices were collected.
Common mistake
Approving a deal from margin alone without mapping deposit dates, balance triggers, customs cash, bank fees, customer terms, and delay buffers.
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