Business owners often lack time to explore the details of financial accounting. They need tools that help them take more orders, solve customer problems efficiently and increase revenue. Sespel Finance specialists have prepared a step-by-step guide to one such tool: leasing. It covers the essentials without complex calculations.

How leasing works: a brief overview

Buying specialised equipment, such as a semi-trailer, can tie up a large amount of working capital. Leasing spreads the cost over several months while allowing you to use the trailer and generate revenue from day one.

Payments typically begin with an advance, for example 30% of the semi-trailer’s price, followed by equal monthly payments covering the remaining 70%. A three-year lease, for instance, involves 36 payments.

At the end, you make a final buyout payment and take ownership. This payment may be nominal, such as RUB 1,000: the contract is structured so that the equipment’s cost has already been covered by monthly payments.

Over three years, you pay slightly more than an outright purchase in return for spreading the cost. For example, a three-year Sespel Finance semi-trailer lease with a 30% advance involves a total additional cost of 8.4%. Other leasing programmes are also available:

Why can leasing be beneficial?

• Lease costs count as direct expenses and reduce the profit tax base. Loan repayments cannot be treated as direct expenses.
• VAT on the advance and lease payments can be deducted, returning part of the VAT to the company’s working capital.

• Sespel Finance is a major insurance customer, so insurance through it costs less than buying directly.
• Comprehensive insurance costs are spread across monthly lease payments, avoiding a separate large annual payment.
• Paying insurance through lease instalments reduces its cost by the VAT amount, because VAT on leasing can be reclaimed.

How to lease a Sespel semi-trailer

Step 1. Contact Sespel Finance for help choosing equipment

Submit an enquiry on the Sespel Finance website. Sespel specialists will contact you and help select a fuel or bitumen tanker with the required configuration.

Step 2. Submit three documents

• A trial balance for selected accounts
• A balance sheet and income statement for the previous year and the latest reporting date
• A short application form that Sespel Finance staff will help complete

Originals are not required: scan the documents and email them to Sespel Finance.

Step 3. Sespel Finance makes a decision within 24 hours

Sespel Finance offers leasing directly from the manufacturer, Sespel. Efficient document processing allows approval within one day.

Step 4. Receive the decision and provide the remaining documents

• Articles of association
• Tax registration certificate (INN)
• State registration certificate (OGRN)
• Minutes recording the election of the director
• Appointment documents for the director and chief accountant
• Director’s passport

Step 5. Sign the lease agreement

Once the documents are ready, you sign the agreement. It specifies the term, advance, monthly instalments and buyout payment, so all costs are known in advance.

Step 6. Pay the advance and have your semi-trailer manufactured

After you pay the advance, Sespel prepares your semi-trailer at its Cheboksary plant. You collect it with a tractor unit. Production normally requires a 70% advance, but Sespel Finance can offer an advance of 30% or less. The leasing company pays the difference to the plant, so production starts regardless of your chosen advance amount.

Step 7. Start earning with your semi-trailer

Use the semi-trailer to expand the range of cargo you carry, attract new customers and increase revenue.