Exporting to the United Kingdom under the Canada-UK TCA and CPTPP

Canadian businesses now have access to two free trade agreements when doing business with the UK: 

Since September 1, 2026, you can choose the agreement that best meets your business needs, whether you are: 

  • exporting goods 
  • providing services 
  • investing 
  • travelling for business 

The Canada-UK TCA will remain in force after the UK joins the CPTPP.

United Kingdom’s Accession to the CPTPP: Summary of Negotiated Outcomes

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What will change when the Agreement comes into force

The UK’s Accession Protocol to the CPTPP will not replace the Canada-UK TCA. Instead, it will give Canadian businesses another option when trading with the UK. 

The Canada-UK TCA already gives Canadian businesses strong access to the UK market. It eliminates tariffs on 99% of UK tariff lines. 

The CPTPP also includes UK market access commitments that are not covered by the Canada-UK TCA. These include: 

  • additional duty-free tariff rate quota volumes for certain meat products  
  • immediate duty-free and quota-free access for sweetcorn  
  • preferential treatment for poultry and eggs  
  • access to procurement opportunities at different levels of government in the UK  
  • additional commitments for services, investment, financial services and temporary business travel 

Which agreement to use

Use this as a starting point. Before claiming preferential treatment, make sure your goods, services, investment, or business travel plans meet the requirements of the agreement you choose.

You export goods to the UK now

Continue using the Canada-UK TCA if it meets your needs. Take this opportunity to check whether CPTPP rules could help future shipments, starting on September 1, 2026.

Your product does not qualify under the Canada-UK TCA rules of origin

Check whether it may qualify under CPTPP rules of origin, which you will have access to starting September 1, 2026. CPTPP rules may offer more flexibility for some goods. 

You use materials from CPTPP markets

Under CPTPP, materials sourced from other member countries may count toward your product's origin. This can help your product qualify for preferential tariff treatment in CPTPP markets. 

You export agriculture, food or fish products to the UK

Check whether CPTPP provides new or improved access for your product to the UK, including for certain meat products, sweetcorn, poultry, and eggs. 

You provide services in the UK

Check whether CPTPP commitments create new or better access for your service sector, including construction, real estate, and distribution services. 

Your team needs to travel to the UK for business

Check the CPTPP temporary entry information for the UK to see whether your business travellers may have more options. This may apply to some business visitors, investors, spouses of intra-corporate transferees, and highly skilled professionals working on short-term contracts.  

You invest in the UK

CPTPP provides investment protections and access to dispute settlement for covered investments. 

You sell to UK government buyers

Check whether CPTPP gives you access to UK government procurement opportunities, including opportunities with regional and local contracting authorities. 

What steps to take

  1. Review your UK export plans

    Identify the goods, services, investments or business travel needs that may be affected.

  2. Confirm the HS code for your goods

    If you export goods, confirm the Harmonized System (HS) code for each product. You need the code to check tariff rates, rules of origin, and documentation requirements.

    If you are unsure how to classify a product, consider consulting a licensed customs broker.

  3. Review CPTPP information for the United Kingdom

    Review information about the United Kingdom’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Consider whether it may affect your goods, services, investments, financial services, government procurement, or temporary entry for business persons.

  4. Confirm requirements before using an agreement

    Before claiming preferential tariff treatment or relying on either agreement, confirm the requirements that apply to your product, service, or business activity. For goods, the Canada Tariff Finder can help you check tariff information by product and market. It does not determine which agreement is best for your business.

  5. Contact a Trade Commissioner

    Get advice before deciding which agreement to use.

Get support for your UK business development

We can help you understand how the Canada-UK TCA and CPTPP may apply to your business. Our Trade Commissioners provide tailored advice, market insight, and connections to help you assess opportunities and prepare for international growth.

If you are planning to export to the UK, invest in the UK, provide services in the UK or send business travellers there, contact a Trade Commissioner before you make decisions about which agreement to use.

Additional Information

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