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What does the CPTPP mean for the fish and seafood sector?

Summary / Overview

Upon entry into force, the CPTPP Agreement will eliminate most tariffs on Canadian fish and seafood exports, creating new opportunities in key markets such as Japan, Malaysia and Vietnam. The remaining fish and seafood tariffs will be phased out over periods of up to 15 years.

Tariff Elimination

Canadian exports of fish and seafood products currently face tariffs in a number of CPTPP markets, including Japan and Malaysia (up to 15%), Vietnam (up to 34%) and New Zealand (up to 5%). These tariffs hinder Canada’s competitiveness by making Canadian fish and seafood products more expensive.

These products include the following:

When the CPTPP Agreement enters into force in each relevant CPTPP market, the vast majority of Canadian fish and seafood products will benefit from duty-free access, with tariffs on remaining products to be phased out over periods of up to 15 years.

How the CPTPP benefits exporters

The CPTPP will create new export opportunities through the elimination of tariffs as well as rules on technical barriers to trade and sanitary and phytosanitary measures. This will allow Canadian businesses to capitalize on growing demand in the region for fish and seafood products.

Japan in particular has traditionally been known for its high per-capita consumption of fish and seafood. The country is a key market for premium seafood products from Canada such as snow crab, shrimp, lobster, herring roe, sea urchin, salmon and halibut.

Canada’s fish and seafood exports will gain an advantage over competitors from countries that do not have a free trade agreement or have less ambitious access to CPTPP markets.

When the CPTPP enters into force, about 66% of Japan’s tariff lines, nearly 83% of Vietnam’s tariff lines and 100% of Malaysia’s tariff lines on fish and seafood will be duty-free, with the remainder to be eliminated within 15 years.

By generating opportunities for Canadian fish and seafood exports, the CPTPP will bring benefits to Canadian businesses and workers.

Trade Snapshot

Fish and seafood are among Canada’s largest exports of food products.

Key Facts and Figure

Annual Canadian Fish and Seafood Exports to CPTPP Countries (2014-16 average, $CAD)

Text version
Annual Canadian Fish and Seafood Exports to CPTPP Countries
Partner Countries2014-16 average ($CAD)
CPTPP-11 (minus Canada)$692,810,520
Australia$19,344,438
Brunei Darussalam$43
Chile$98,278
Japan$524,510,457
Malaysia$3,834,042
Mexico$8,331,191
New Zealand$6,804,139
Peru$44,112
Singapore$15,671,719
Vietnam$114,172,101

CPTPP Tariff Elimination Tables

CountryCurrent Maximum MFN Tariff RateLength of Tariff Phase-out
Frozen snow crab
Japan4%Duty-free upon entry into force
Herring roe
Japan11%Duty-free upon entry into force
Malaysia8%Duty-free upon entry into force
Vietnam34% (prepared)3 years
Lobster
Japan5%Duty-free upon entry into force
Malaysia8%Duty-free upon entry into force
New Zealand5%Duty-free upon entry into force
Vietnam34% (prepared)3 years
Shrimp
Japan5.3% (processed)Duty-free upon entry into force; shrimp prepared with rice in 10 years
Vietnam30% (prepared)3 years
Salmon
Japan3.5%10 years
Vietnam18%Duty-free upon entry into force
Scallops
Japan15%10 years
Halibut
Japan3.5%Duty-free upon entry into force
Vietnam18%Duty-free upon entry into force
Mussels
Japan10%Duty-free upon entry into force
Frozen fish fillets
Japan10%10 years
Vietnam18%Duty-free upon entry into force
Fresh and live sea urchin
Japan7%Duty-free upon entry into force
Bluefin tuna
Japan3.5%10 years
Oysters
Japan10.5%Duty-free upon entry into force
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