Let {ξ1,ξ2,…} be a sequence of independent but not necessarily identically distributed random variables. In this paper, the sufficient conditions are found under which the tail probability P(supn⩾0∑ni=1ξi>x) can be bounded above by ϱ1exp{−ϱ2x} with some positive constants ϱ1 and ϱ2. A way to calculate these two constants is presented. The application of the derived bound is discussed and a Lundberg-type inequality is obtained for the ultimate ruin probability in the inhomogeneous renewal risk model satisfying the net profit condition on average.