Resources to sell to new markets

Export diversification is key to growing your business internationally. A well-prepared diversification strategy can help you build long-term stability and global success. By reaching new markets, you can:

• Reduce risk and dependence on one market: Protect your business from slowdowns, policy changes, or trade disruptions in a single region.
• Access new growth opportunities: Find new customers and revenue streams in markets with high potential.
• Build resilience to global shocks: Stay strong through challenges like supply chain disruptions, pandemics, or geopolitical tensions.

Ready to expand your business globally? Explore export support, tools, and resources from us and our partners to help you succeed abroad.

We provide personalized advice to eligible Canadian companies throughout their export journey. Whether you're new to exporting, are expanding in existing markets or are looking to explore new ones, our network in more than 160 cities worldwide can help you make informed decisions to succeed internationally.  

Request a TCS Preparation for International Markets service: To ensure that we provide you with the best available advice, a Trade Commissioner will appreciate information about your business and your goals. Some of the questions they may ask include:

• What is your international business development plan and market-entry strategy?
• What advantages does your product or service offer compared with competitors - what makes you special?
• Who are your typical customers?
• Do you have desired partners or distributors?
• Do you need financing or export insurance?
• In which countries are you already active and what markets offer good prospects for your business?

Offices in Canada: Contact a Trade Commissioner before leaving Canada to request a Preparation for International Markets service.

Review our eligibility criteria to see if your company qualifies for our export advisory services.

If you are an experienced exporter or an existing TCS client looking to diversify your exports and have identified new target markets, you can access support from our global network. They can help you:

• find opportunities
• connect with key contacts
• address international business challenges as they arise 

Request a TCS Market Potential Assessment service: You will receive information and intelligence that helps you determine your level of opportunity in a particular market. It includes identifying the right approach to and the next steps in a specific market, as well as the effort and resources required to enter that market. We may also provide information about:

• barriers and regulations
• the competitive landscape
• trends and issues 

The Market Potential Assessment is normally provided by a Trade Commissioner located in-market. When you contact a Trade Commissioner, be clear and specific about your request. Tell them about why you have focused on that particular market. Make sure you have reviewed the types of information that can be provided with a Market Potential Assessment and identify any specific questions you have that reflect these areas. The more details you can share, including about assumptions you’ve made or gaps in your knowledge about the market, the better we can help you.

Connect with a Trade Commissioner abroad to request a Market Potential Assessment.

Discover practical insights, tools, and strategies to help you expand into new markets and grow your business internationally.

Guide to selling your products in more markets: Learn how to expand to new markets with practical steps and tools to help you plan, prepare, and succeed.

Export diversification checklist: Ready to explore new markets? Use our checklist to assess your readiness to do business internationally, and address gaps in your plans.

Webinars to help you sell to new markets: Join an upcoming webinar to learn about various topics related to market expansion.

Step-by-step guide to exporting: Chapter 3 – Develop your export plan: Follow this chapter to start building your export plan and identify opportunities to diversify your markets.

Access our funding, tailored support programs, trade missions, and events designed to help you diversify your exports.

• CanExport funding: Get financial support to explore new international business opportunities or connect with R&D partners. CanExport offers various programs with specific eligibility criteria and application periods.
• Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP): Access funding and partnerships for R&D collaborations in specific partner countries.
• Trade missions and events: We provide support and facilitate business-to-business meetings at trade events in Canada and overseas. By taking part you can gain important exposure, network with local businesses, and explore international opportunities - all of which help accelerate your global growth.
• Canadian Technology Accelerators: Accelerate your growth in key tech hubs across in North America, Europe, and Asia through the CTA. Companies with existing technology in cleantech, life sciences, and information and communications technologies can gain industry insights, expert mentorship, and strategic connections with potential partners and investors.
  • Measuring the firm-level impact of the CTA program

Take advantage of Canada's 15 free trade agreements (FTAs), spanning 51 countries and providing access to over 1.5 billion consumers worldwide – Canada is the only country in the G7 to have free-trade agreements with all the other G7 countries. With unmatched global access, now is the time to diversify and expand your business internationally.

Learn more and explore FTAs:

• Canada's free trade agreements
• Search all trade and investment agreements
• Benefits of trade agreements: Explore the increased economic activity and trade resulting from free trade

Use these tools to explore useful resources to understand market access for specific markets.

These tools are updated periodically but may not reflect unexpected changes in duties on Canadian products.

• Tariff information by country and Harmonized System (HS) codes: Tariff info and applicable HS codes for your product.
• Canada Tariff Finder: Tariff info for your products in countries where Canada has an FTA.
• Tariffs, rules, and regulations: Information on tariffs, trade sanctions, and regulatory controls for Canadian businesses.
• Exporting commercial goods: Information on the obligations, guidelines and procedures for reporting goods to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
• Origin of Goods: Guidance from CBSA on how rules of origin affect import/export duties and compliance.

Expanding globally is easier with the right support. Explore resources, programs, and expertise from our partners to help you succeed in new markets.

• Export from Canada: Information from multiple departments and agencies of the Government of Canada about selling and moving your products and services abroad, financing, permits, and more.
• Business Benefits Finder: A tool to find Government of Canada programs and services to help your business start up, scale up, and go global.
• Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC): Financing, advisory solutions and capital for small- and medium-sized business in all industries and at all stages of growth.
• Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC): Support to pursue sales to foreign governments at all levels, including a government-to-government contracting mechanism that de-risks the transaction for both you and your buyer.
• Export Development Canada: Financial services from Canada's export credit agency to help Canadian companies of all sizes navigate, manage, and take on risk, allowing them to grow and succeed in global markets.
• Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED): Government services to expand or scale up your business in Canada.
  • Canadian Importers Database: Provides summary reports and lists of companies importing goods into Canada.
• Global Bid Opportunity Finder: Search for commercial opportunities with foreign governments open to Canadian businesses.
• Forum for International Trade Training (FITT): International business training, resources and professional certification for individuals and businesses. They are the world's leading export-import training and certification experts.
  • International Market Entry Strategies
  • Global Value Chain
  • Products and Services for a Global Market
  • International Trade Finance

Get tailored support and resources to expand your business into new markets.

• Single Window Contact for Agri-Food Trade Services offers a single point of contact with the goal of helping the Canadian food industry and businesses reach international markets. Get in touch with them via email for export-related information and support.
• Farm Credit Canada (FCC) is a dedicated lender for the agriculture and agri-food sectors and provides a range of financial products and services to support Canadian farmers and business related to farming.
• Forest sector funding programs: Federal funding programs supported by the Canadian Forest Service help diversify forest products, markets and processes to support the competitiveness of Canada's forest sector.
• Canadian Heritage’s Creative Export Canada program: This program provides visibility and funding to help Canadian creative works achieve financial success abroad. 

We're committed to making international trade accessible to everyone, with tailored support for:

• women
• Indigenous peoples
• 2SLGBTQI+ communities
• visible minorities
• youth

Inclusive trade strengthens businesses and communities by unlocking new ideas, talent, and opportunities. Discover our support for specific audiences.