CanExport SMEs Program 2025 (up to $50,000)

By sharing the costs of certain international business development activities and thereby reducing risk associated with entering new markets, the program enhances the export diversification efforts of Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises. By helping businesses to increase and diversify their exports, the program contributes to the expansion and growth in Canada of those businesses. The program supports Canadian companies that have meaningful economic ties to Canada, the potential to contribute significantly to Canada's economy, and the capacity and commitment to expand globally.

They provide support to

1. travel to foreign markets
2. in-person participation in trade missions, trade shows, meetings, or conferences
3. gather market intelligence (custom research, reports, and studies)
4. apply for intellectual property protection in international markets
5. adapt contractual agreements and apply for supplier diversity certifications in international markets
6. seek expert legal and business advice
7. translate, adapt, or create marketing materials tailored to your markets)

Eligibility Criteria for CanExport SMEs Program 2025 (up to $50,000)

To be eligible, you must:

1. be established in Canada
2. be for-profit
3. be an incorporated legal entity, limited liability partnership (LLP) or cooperative
4. have an active Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number
5. have between 1 and 500 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
6. have $100,000 to $100 million in declared revenue in Canada during its past fiscal year (or
7. 12 months for quarterly filers)

Benefits of CanExport SMEs Program 2025 (up to $50,000)

1. Eligible small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can get up to $50,000 to cover 50% of the costs of exporting products or services to countries where they have little or no sales.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted on the CanExport SMEs online portal and there are several steps.

Account registration and profile updates

New clients can register for an account at any time during the year. Returning clients may update the information in their account profile and manage their contacts.

New applicants

1. Register for an account on the online portal.
2. Note: The portal is optimized for Chrome, Edge and Firefox.
3. Fill in information under My Profile and click Update. The program will review the information submitted and will notify applicants by email within 7 business days.
4. If you receive an email stating Account Creation Verification: "Criteria Met", the Primary Account Contact must then complete the Account Profile.
5. For more information, refer to Help tab in the portal, click on "CanExport SME", and then the document, "Manage Portal Contacts and Roles".
6. Once the Account Profile has been submitted, complete and submit the CanExport SMEs Application.
7. Click on My Applications tab CanExport. On this page, click New Application SME.
8. Submit your application at least 60 business days before the start date of the first proposed activity.

Returning applicants

1. Sign in to the online portal.Returning clients should not register for a new account.
2. Update company information under My Profile. The Primary Account Contact must update the Account Profile.
3. For more information refer to Help tab CanExport SME and the document Manage Portal Contacts and Roles.
4. Once updated, complete the CanExport SMEs Application.
5. Click on My Applications tab CanExport. On this page, click New Application SME.
6. Submit your application at least 60 business days before the start date of the first proposed activity.

New and returning applicants: New document requirements

Clients are required to upload the following documents during the CanExport SMEs application process.

Articles of incorporation

All applicants must upload their company's articles of incorporation. This is to help verify company credentials and prevent fraud. Required documents are available via Service Canada or Revenu Quebec. This step must be completed with each new application.

Declared annual revenue

As part of the basic eligibility process for new and existing clients, applicants must upload via the online platform a copy of their company's GST 34 return or FP-500-V for Quebec based applicants. This is to more efficiently verify a company's eligibility. Required documents are available via Service Canada or Revenu Quebec accounts.

The amount from the following section of a company's taxes from the last completed fiscal year should be used:

1. line 101 of the GST 34 return for most of Canada
2. FP-500-V for Quebec based applicants

For monthly and quarterly filters, please use the most recent 12-month period.

We do not grant exemptions to the annual revenue eligibility requirement for companies that:

1. have not achieved revenues of $100,000 during their last complete tax reporting year (or during the last 12 months for monthly and quarterly filers)
2. achieved revenues of $100,000 but do not have the required financial information described above (GST 34, FP-500-V)

Companies that have not filed their reports or do not meet the revenue eligibility requirement should apply only after obtaining the necessary financial information.

Once an application has been submitted, it cannot be edited or changed. You will receive a confirmation email, including a unique identifier for use in all correspondence with the CanExport SMEs program.

View details of CanExport SMEs Program

Apply for CanExport SMEs Program

Application Deadline

31 May, 2025

Application Link(s)

• Apply for CanExport SMEs Program 2025 (up to $50,000)