CanExport SMEs

Overview

CanExport SMEs is a Canadian Government program administered by the Trade Commissioner Service that provides financial support to Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises seeking to develop new export markets outside of Canada and the United States. The program reimburses up to 50% of eligible international market development activities, with grants of up to $50,000 per company per fiscal year. CanExport SMEs is designed to help businesses take their first steps into new international markets by offsetting the costs of market research, trade missions, in-market activities, regulatory approvals, and digital market development.

What You Can Find Here

• Grants up to $50,000 (50% cost share) for eligible international market development activities
• Coverage for trade missions and international business trips to target markets
• Market research and assessment expenses in new target countries
• Trade show participation outside Canada and the US
• Regulatory approvals and certifications required for foreign market entry
• Digital market development activities for reaching international customers online

Who Should Use This

• Canadian-registered SMEs with fewer than 500 employees seeking to enter new international markets
• Canadian companies exporting to a new market for the first time
• Businesses with demonstrated revenue in Canada looking to diversify into new export markets
• Technology companies, manufacturers, agribusinesses, and service firms entering non-US international markets

How to Get Started

1. Step 1: Visit tradecommissioner.gc.ca/canexport to read eligibility requirements and program details
2. Step 2: Create a CanExport account and submit a project application describing your target market and planned activities
3. Step 3: If approved, implement your market development activities within the project period
4. Step 4: Submit expense claims with receipts to CanExport for reimbursement of eligible costs
5. Step 5: Report on market development outcomes at project completion

Things to Check Before Applying

• CanExport SMEs reimburses expenses - you must spend the money before claiming reimbursement
• Activities must be in markets outside Canada AND outside the USA (US market activities are not eligible)
• Companies must have existing Canadian revenue to demonstrate export readiness
• Each activity type has specific eligible and ineligible cost categories - read the program guide carefully
• Applications should be submitted before activities begin - retroactive claims for past expenses are not eligible

Frequently Asked Questions