CanExport 2025: What’s New and How Your Business Can Make the Most of It

CanadaExport has been making waves—but 2025 is set to take things to a whole new level.

If you’re a Canadian small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) with global ambitions, this is your moment. The CanExport SMEs program, backed by the Trade Commissioner Service, has long supported Canadian companies in exploring international markets. Now, with the 2025 updates, it’s smarter, more streamlined, and more focused than ever, offering you a better shot at securing funds and scaling your business globally.

At Sales Growth Development Inc., we help businesses like yours navigate the application process, build successful proposals, and maximize the funding potential. If your goal is to grow internationally and secure non-repayable grants to support your strategy – we’re here to make it happen.

🔑 What’s New in 2025?

The 2025 program introduces a range of updates designed to improve clarity, strengthen market strategy, and prioritize export-ready businesses. Whether you're exploring new markets or looking to reinforce your presence abroad, these changes could be the key to your next phase of growth.

📅 Application Period: Time It Right

Timing is everything when it comes to grants. The CanExport SMEs application portal is now open from March 13, 2025, (9:00 a.m. EST) to May 31, 2025 (5:00 p.m. EDT). Don’t wait – missing the deadline means missing out. 

🌍 Focused Market Targeting: One Market Per Application

Perhaps the most impactful update is a new requirement for market focus. Businesses must now choose either the United States or another international market per application—but not both.

This change is all about depth over breadth. By focusing on one country per application, SMEs are encouraged to develop more strategic, targeted, and compelling export plans. If your business has ambitions in both the U.S. and, say, Germany, you’ll need to submit separate applications tailored to each market's unique opportunities and challenges. 

📄 Updated Application Requirements: New Documents Needed

To support transparency and confirm eligibility, two new documents are now required:

• Articles of Incorporation – to verify your business structure

• GST34 Return (or FP-500-V in Quebec) – to confirm revenue and tax status

  
  

We help our clients gather and format these documents correctly to avoid application delays.

✈️ Trade Events: In-Person Only

Only in-person participation will be funded under the 2025 guidelines. This shift reflects CanExport’s renewed focus on relationship-building and real-time market engagement. Because nothing beats face-to-face networking when it comes to forging international partnerships. So, dust off that passport and prepare your booth setup – your next big business opportunity might just be a flight away.

🗣️ Marketing & Translation: Expanded Eligible Activities

CanExport significantly broadens the toolkit for promoting your brand overseas. Eligible promotional materials now include everything from brochures, pamphlets, and flyers to banners, posters, postcards, and even professionally written content like digital magazine articles and copywriting services.

Advertising also gets a strategic upgrade. The program now supports online industry publications, sponsored content (advertorials), and banner ads – powerful tools for reaching targeted audiences in your chosen market. 

🚫 What’s No Longer Covered: Know Before You Spend

As CanExport sharpens its focus, several categories are no longer eligible for funding. Businesses should plan accordingly and avoid the following expenses:

1. Online and traditional advertising, such as social media ads, print/radio ads, SEO services, and catalogs.

2. Branding, labeling, and packaging design—these remain outside the scope of export development support.

3. Direct mail and outreach campaigns, including cold calls, telemarketing, and email newsletters.

4. Marketing or CRM software subscriptions, even if used for advertising purposes.

5. Photography costs, including professional photoshoots.

6. Fees for online marketplaces (like Alibaba, Amazon, TMall, etc.). 

7. E-commerce platform subscriptions, including Shopify, BigCommerce, Wix, and others.

8. Podcasts, webinars, and customer testimonials, even if created for international promotion.

9. Website-related costs, including application development, maintenance, domain purchases, or hosting fees.

10. A/B testing and crowdfunding campaign costs.

11. Online management software tools, such as analytics dashboards or digital workflow systems.

12. Giveaway items, such as pens, mugs, umbrellas, tote bags, t-shirts, and other promotional merchandise.

13. Production of samples and demos, whether physical or digital, used to showcase your product or service.

Pro tip: Focus your budget on high-impact, eligible activities that support market entry and long-term export growth. 

📌 Other Important Notes to Keep in Mind

1. Export development only: CanExport remains laser-focused on helping you grow outside of Canada. Expenses tied to domestic operations or investment attraction are not eligible.

   
   

2. First-time applications take priority: New to the program? You’ve got an edge. The 2025 cycle puts first-time applicants at the front of the line for funding consideration.

Let’s Get You Funded

At Sales Growth Development Inc., we’ve helped clients across sectors win funding, expand their global footprint, and grow revenues through export success. We take care of the heavy lifting, so you can focus on results. Let’s turn government funding into your competitive advantage in 2025.

🎯 Ready to access up to $50,000 in funding for your export plan? 

📧 Reach out to us at info@salesgrowth.ca 

🌐 Or visit www.salesgrowth.ca to explore more opportunities.