How to Apply for CanExport SME

What is CanExport SME?

CanExport SME is a federal grant programme administered by the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) under Global Affairs Canada. It provides non-repayable contributions — meaning you don't pay it back — to help Canadian small and medium-sized businesses develop new international markets.

The programme covers up to 50% of eligible expenses, to a maximum of C$50,000 per application. You can apply multiple times, but not for the same market or activity twice.

Important distinction

CanExport SME is for market development — finding and developing new international customers. It is not for production costs, product development, or domestic market activities. Every eligible expense must be directly tied to entering or expanding in a specific international market.

Who is eligible?

To qualify for CanExport SME your business must meet all of these criteria:

Registered in Canada — incorporated federally or provincially, or a registered sole proprietorship or partnership
Annual revenue between C$100,000 and C$100 million — in the most recently completed fiscal year
Fewer than 500 full-time employees
Targeting a new international market — a country or region where you have less than C$100,000 in current annual sales
Canadian content — your product or service must be substantially Canadian in origin

Not eligible

Crown corporations, federal agencies, provincial governments, non-profits, and businesses primarily in retail, real estate, or financial services are generally not eligible. If you're unsure, contact your regional TCS office before applying.

What expenses are eligible?

✓ Eligible expenses

International travel for market development
Trade show registration and booth fees
Market research and feasibility studies
Translation and localization costs
Legal fees for international contracts
Certification and regulatory compliance costs
Hiring a consultant for market entry strategy
Business development trips and meetings
Digital marketing targeting the specific market
Intellectual property protection abroad

✗ Not eligible

Product development or R&D costs
Domestic marketing or sales activities
Salaries for permanent staff
Capital equipment purchases
Activities in markets where you already have C$100K+ in sales
Expenses already covered by another government programme
Activities that have already occurred before approval
General overhead or administrative costs

Practical tip

The 50/50 cost-sharing requirement means for every dollar you spend, the programme covers 50 cents. Budget your activities accordingly — if you're planning C$40,000 in eligible activities, you'll receive C$20,000 from CanExport SME and cover C$20,000 yourself.

How to apply — step by step

01Contact your regional TCS office firstBefore filling out the application, call or email the Trade Commissioner Service office nearest you. A trade commissioner can confirm your eligibility, advise on which activities are most likely to be funded, and flag any issues with your proposed market. This 30-minute conversation can save you hours of application work. Find your nearest office at tradecommissioner.gc.ca.
02Register on the TCS portalCreate an account at tradecommissioner.gc.ca/canexport. You'll need your Business Number (BN), company information, and details about your products or services.
03Identify your target market clearlyCanExport SME funds activities in a specific international market. Your application must name the country or region and explain why you're targeting it. Vague answers like "Asia" are rejected — "Japan, specifically the manufacturing sector in the Kansai region" is the level of specificity needed.
04Complete the application formThe application asks for: company overview, product/service description, target market rationale, proposed activities and timeline, budget breakdown, and expected outcomes. Budget 2-4 hours for a complete application. The strongest applications are specific about activities, realistic about timelines, and clear about how the funding will generate international sales.
05Submit and wait for reviewReview typically takes 6-8 weeks. Do not begin any funded activities before receiving written approval — expenses incurred before approval are not eligible for reimbursement.
06Execute activities and submit claimsOnce approved, execute your plan and keep all receipts. Claims are submitted on a reimbursement basis with supporting documentation. The programme will reimburse 50% of eligible expenses up to your approved amount.

What makes a strong application?

Be specific about the market

Name the country, the sector, and ideally the type of buyer you're targeting. "We are targeting Japan's automotive Tier-1 suppliers in the Nagoya and Toyota City cluster, who are actively seeking Canadian precision-machined components for EV platform changeover" is far stronger than "We want to export to Japan."

Show market research has already been done

Applications that demonstrate you understand the target market — buyer landscape, competitive environment, regulatory requirements, and Canadian advantages — score significantly higher than speculative applications.

Connect activities directly to sales outcomes

Every proposed activity should have a clear line to a potential sale. "Attend Hannover Messe to meet 12 pre-identified German industrial buyers" is fundable. "Attend trade shows to raise brand awareness" is not.

Use TCS introductions in your plan

If your application references a TCS in-market introduction (e.g., "TCS Tokyo has agreed to facilitate introductions to three JERA procurement contacts"), it demonstrates credibility and increases approval likelihood. Ask your trade commissioner about in-market support before applying.

Common rejection reasons

Applications are most commonly rejected for: targeting a market where you already have significant sales, vague activity descriptions, expenses that are ineligible, and applying for activities that have already been completed. Have your trade commissioner review a draft before submitting.

CanExport SME is one of several federal programmes supporting Canadian business development internationally. You cannot stack CanExport SME with other federal programmes for the same expense, but you can use different programmes for different activities:

CanExport Community — for industry associations and trade organizations supporting members' export activities
CanExport Agri-Food — specifically for agricultural and food exporters, higher funding ceilings
EDC Export Guarantee Programme — working capital financing to fulfill export contracts
NRC IRAP — for technology companies, R&D with international commercial application
ISED Strategic Innovation Fund — for large-scale projects with significant Canadian industrial impact

See our guide to ISED programmes and EDC financing options for more detail.

Official resources

This guide is for informational purposes only. Programme terms, eligibility criteria, and deadlines change — always verify current details at the official programme page before applying.

Programme at a GlanceC$50KMaximum non-repayable contribution per application50%Cost-sharing ratio — programme covers half your eligible expensesMay 29Current application deadline — 20266–8 wksTypical review timeline after submissionOfficial LinksApply — CanExport SME → Find your TCS office → EDC — Export financing →Related GuidesHow to use the TCS → CETA — what it means for you → ISED funding programmes → EDC financing options →Intelligence subscribers

Weekly reports track CanExport SME deadline windows, application round openings, and success stories from Canadian businesses that have used the programme.

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