Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and small and medium-sized enterprises
Expanding into new foreign markets can be challenging, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Parties to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) recognize the importance of SMEs in the creation of high-quality jobs and in inclusive economic growth, and they are committed to helping SMEs better participate in international trade and regional supply chains by breaking down barriers.
Benefits of the CPTPP for SMEs
SMEs represent over 99% of Canadian businesses and almost 90% of all private-sector jobs in Canada. They form the backbone of the Canadian economy and are integral to economic prosperity across the country. However, only 11% of Canadian SMEs are doing business in the global marketplace. The negotiation and implementation of FTAs, such as the CPTPP, can help SMEs expand their businesses and take advantage of new opportunities in markets abroad.
The CPTPP can benefit Canadian SMEs by enhancing their ability to participate in and benefit from the opportunities created by the agreement and international trade by:
- creating advantageous conditions for SMEs by eliminating tariffs on 99% of current Canadian exports to CPTPP countries and providing enhanced access for service providers
- offering a single set of high-standard rules for trade across the Asia-Pacific region, making trade more predictable, transparent and accessible
- addressing key challenges and barriers to doing business in the global marketplace, such as technical barriers to trade, that disproportionately affect SMEs
- enhancing market access for Canada’s services and financial services industries and providing a comprehensive set of investment protection measures backed by a robust mechanism for resolving investment disputes
- lowering costs of participating in international trade, including by the creation of new rules that address potential barriers to digital trade and protect the free flow of data across borders
- simplifying procedures for clearing goods through customs, including by making specific commitments to enhance transparency and make information available online for SMEs
- promoting fair business practices and creating a level playing field with enforceable rules on state-owned enterprises in CPTPP markets
Tools and resources for SMEs
- The Government of Canada is working with partners to assist SMEs in taking advantage of the CPTPP and Canada’s other trade agreements. Contact a trade commissioner today to get started on accessing opportunities in CPTPP markets or for information on trade-focussed events and information sessions, including on the CPTPP, in locations across Canada.
- Many exporters seek external financing to support their ability to access international markets. There are a number of solutions available to help you market and sell abroad or help boost your working capital and reduce financial risks. Discover the various financial solutions available to help you market and sell abroad.
- If you are with a small or medium-sized business (one that has fewer than 500 full-time employees), the CanExport program could provide direct financial assistance to help you develop new export opportunities and markets.
- Learn more about CPTPP outcomes through our chapter summaries, and learn more about how tariffs will be eliminated with each of the CPTPP parties.
How can Canada help you succeed?
A number of tools and resources are waiting for you.
Contact trade commissioners
Canadian trade commissioners are located in more than 160 cities worldwide, and can provide you with key business insights and access to an unbeatable network of international contacts.
Invest in Canada
Canada’s business-friendly environment is built on world-class cities that consistently rank as the best places to live, work and play.
Business women in international trade
Networking opportunities, events and activities for women doing business across borders.
Participate in a trade mission
Information on Canada's trade missions and other international trade events for Canadian exporters.
Get funding and support for exporting into new markets
Get financial support, access co-development opportunities and pursue opportunities in new markets.
Canada Tariff Finder
Search for your product by keyword or harmonized system (HS) code. Find out what tariff rate you could claim when exporting to markets with which Canada has a free trade agreement.
There has never been a better time to diversify.”
Resources for SMEs
- Information on tariffs, sanctions and export controls (Trade Commissioner Service)
- Canada tariff finder (Business Development Bank of Canada)
- Step-by-step guide to exporting (Trade Commissioner Service)
- The basics of exporting: a step-by-step guide (Export Development Canada)
- Exporting goods from Canada: A handy guide (Canada Border Services Agency)
- Export: Are you ready to go global? (Business Development Bank of Canada)
- Step-by-step guide to importing commercial goods into Canada (Canada Border Services Agency)
- Resources for SMEs (Conference Board of Canada)
- Basics of importing (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada)
- International trade and investment - tools for exporting, importing and investing (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada)
- Business women in international trade (Trade Commissioner Service)
- Invest in Canada: Do business with the world (Invest in Canada)
- Investing abroad (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada)
- Agri-food trade services for exporters (Agriculture and Agri-food Canada)
- Buyandsell.gc.ca (Government of Canada procurement information service operated by Public Works and Government Services Canada)
CPTPP market information
Discover each of the CPTPP markets, and find the relevant market analysis and contact information to start trading in the CPTPP region.
Australia
- Australia fact sheet
- Australia’s CPTPP website and Australian government tools for SMEs
- Tariff elimination
- General notes to tariff schedule of Australia (Annex 2-D)
- Australian tariff elimination schedule (Annex 2-D)
- Canada-Australia side instruments, including on Australian beef
- Rules of origin
- CPTPP product-specific rules of origin (Annex 3-D)
- CPTPP product-specific rules of origin for certain vehicles and vehicle parts (Annex 3-D, Appendix 1)
- Canada-Australia side instruments, including on automotive rules of origin
- Services and investment
- Annex I - Schedule of Australia, Annex I explanatory notes
- Annex II - Schedule of Australia, Annex II explanatory notes
- Annex III - Schedule of Australia (financial services), Annex III explanatory notes
- Temporary entry for business persons
- Government procurement
- Schedule of Australia (government procurement) (Annex 15-A)
Brunei
- Brunei fact sheet
- Tariff elimination
- General notes to tariff schedule of Brunei (Annex 2-D)
- Tariff elimination schedule of Brunei (Annex 2-D)
- Rules of origin
- CPTPP product-specific rules of origin (Annex 3-D)
- CPTPP product-specific rules of origin for certain vehicles and vehicle parts (Annex 3-D, Appendix 1)
- Services and investment
- Annex I - Schedule of Brunei, Annex 1 explanatory notes
- Annex II - Schedule of Brunei, Annex II explanatory notes
- Annex III - Schedule of Brunei (financial services), Annex III explanatory notes
- Temporary entry for business persons
- Government procurement
- Schedule of Brunei (government procurement) (Annex 15-A)
Chile
- Chile fact sheet
- Chile’s CPTPP website
- Tariff elimination
- General notes to tariff schedule of Chile (Annex 2-D)
- Chilean tariff elimination schedule (Annex 2-D)
- Rules of origin
- CPTPP product-specific rules of origin (Annex 3-D)
- CPTPP product-specific rules of origin for certain vehicles and vehicle parts (Annex 3-D, Appendix 1)
- Services and investment
- Annex I - Schedule of Chile, Annex I explanatory notes
- Annex II - Schedule of Chile, Annex II explanatory notes
- Annex III - Schedule of Chile (financial services), Annex III explanatory notes
- Temporary entry for business persons
- Government procurement
- Schedule of Chile (government procurement) (Annex 15-A)
- See also: Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement
Japan
- Japan fact sheet
- Japan’s CPTPP website and Japanese government tools for external SMEs
- Tariff elimination
- General notes to tariff schedule of Japan (Annex 2-D)
- Japanese tariff elimination schedule (Annex 2-D)
- Japanese tariff-rate quotas (Appendix A)
- Agricultural safeguard measures (Appendix B-1)
- Forest goods safeguard measures (Appendix B-2)
- Tariff differentials (Appendix C)
- Appendix between Japan and Canada on motor vehicle trade (Appendix D-2)
- Rules of origin
- CPTPP product-specific rules of origin (Annex 3-D)
- CPTPP product-specific rules of origin for certain vehicles and vehicle parts (Annex 3-D, Appendix 1)
- Services and investment
- Annex I - Schedule of Japan, Annex I explanatory notes
- Annex II - Schedule of Japan, Annex II explanatory notes
- Annex III - Schedule of Japan (financial services), Annex III explanatory notes
- Temporary entry for business persons
- Government procurement
- Schedule of Japan (government procurement) (Annex 15-A)
Malaysia
- Malaysia fact sheet
- Malaysia’s CPTPP Malaysia’s CPTPP website
- Tariff elimination
- General notes to tariff schedule of Malaysia (Annex 2-D)
- Malaysian tariff elimination schedule (Annex 2-D)
- Rules of origin
- CPTPP product-specific rules of origin (Annex 3-D)
- CPTPP product-specific rules of origin for certain vehicles and vehicle parts (Annex 3-D, Appendix 1)
- Canada-Malaysia side instruments, including on automotive rules of origin
- Services and investment
- Annex I - Schedule of Malaysia, Annex I explanatory notes
- Annex II of Malaysia, Annex II explanatory notes
- Annex III - Schedule of Malaysia (financial services), Annex III explanatory notes
- Temporary entry for business persons
- Government procurement
- Schedule of Malaysia (government procurement) (Annex 15-A)
Mexico
- Mexico fact sheet
- Mexico’s CPTPP website
- Tariff elimination
- General notes to tariff schedule of Mexico (Annex 2-D)
- Mexican tariff elimination schedule (Annex 2-D)
- Tariff-rate quotas and country-specific allocations, including for sugar of Mexico (Appendix A)
- Tariff differentials of Mexico (Appendix C)
- Rules of origin
- CPTPP product-specific rules of origin (Annex 3-D)
- CPTPP product-specific rules of origin for certain vehicles and vehicle parts (Annex 3-D, Appendix 1)
- Services and investment
- Annex I - Schedule of Mexico, Annex I explanatory notes
- Annex II - Schedule of Mexico, Annex II explanatory notes
- Annex III - Schedule of Mexico (financial services)), Annex III explanatory notes
- Temporary entry for business persons
- Government procurement
- Schedule of Mexico (government procurement) (Annex 15-A)
- See also: Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement
New Zealand
- New Zealand fact sheet
- New Zealand’s CPTPP website and New Zealand tools for SMEs
- Tariff elimination
- General notes to tariff schedule of New Zealand (Annex 2-D)
- New Zealand tariff elimination schedule (Annex 2-D)
- Rules of origin
- CPTPP product-specific rules of origin (Annex 3-D)
- CPTPP product-specific rules of origin for certain vehicles and vehicle parts (Annex 3-D, Appendix 1)
- Services and investment
- Annex I - Schedule of New Zealand, Annex I explanatory notes
- Annex II - Schedule of New Zealand, Annex II explanatory notes
- Annex III - Schedule of Australia (financial services), Annex III explanatory notes
- Temporary entry for business persons
- Government procurement
- Schedule of New Zealand (government procurement) (Annex 15-A)
Peru
- Peru fact sheet
- Peru’s CPTPP website
- Tariff elimination
- General notes to tariff schedule of Peru (Annex 2-D)
- Peruvian tariff elimination schedule (Annex 2-D)
- Rules of origin
- CPTPP product-specific rules of origin (Annex 3-D)
- CPTPP product-specific rules of origin for certain vehicles and vehicle parts (Annex 3-D, Appendix 1)
- Services and investment
- Annex I of Peru, Annex I explanatory notes
- Annex II of Peru, Annex II explanatory notes
- Financial services schedule of Peru (Annex III), Annex III explanatory notes
- Temporary entry for business persons
- Schedule of Peru (Annex 12-A)
- Government procurement
- See also: Canada-Peru Free Trade Agreement
Singapore
- Singapore fact sheet
- Singapore’s CPTPP website and Singapore’s SME portal
- Tariff elimination
- General notes to tariff schedule of Singapore (Annex 2-D)
- Singaporean tariff elimination schedule (Annex 2-D)
- Rules of origin
- CPTPP product-specific rules of origin (Annex 3-D)
- CPTPP product-specific rules of origin for certain vehicles and vehicle parts (Annex 3-D, Appendix 1)
- Services and investment
- Annex I - Schedule of Singapore, Annex I explanatory notes
- Annex II - Schedule of Singapore, Annex II explanatory notes
- Annex III - Schedule of Singapore (financial services) (Annex III), Annex III explanatory notes
- Temporary entry for business persons
- Government procurement
- Schedule of Singapore (government procurement) (Annex 15-A)
Vietnam
- Vietnam fact sheet
- Vietnam’s CPTPP website
- Tariff elimination
- General notes to tariff schedule of Vietnam (Annex 2-D)
- Vietnamese tariff elimination schedule (Annex 2-D)
- Vietnamese tariff-rate quotas (Appendix A)
- Rules of origin
- CPTPP product-specific rules of origin (Annex 3-D)
- CPTPP product-specific rules of origin for certain vehicles and vehicle parts (Annex 3-D, Appendix 1)
- Services and investment
- Annex I - Schedule of Vietnam, Annex I explanatory notes
- Annex II - Schedule of Vietnam, Annex II explanatory notes
- Annex III - Schedule of Vietnam (financial services), Annex III explanatory notes
- Temporary entry for business persons
- Government procurement
- Schedule of Vietnam (government procurement) (Annex 15-A)
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