CanExport SMEs Raises 2026-27 Eligibility Thresholds

Updated September 26, 2026: The 2026–27 CanExport SMEs intake closed at 12:00 p.m. (ET) on August 31, 2026, and the Trade Commissioner Service states that applications are not being accepted at this time. The requirements below applied to that intake; requirements for any future intake have not been published. Source: https://www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca/en/our-solutions/funding-financing-international-business/canexport-smes.html (last verified: September 26, 2026).

For 2026-27, CanExport SMEs increased its minimum requirements from one full-time equivalent employee and $100,000 in annual revenue to three full-time employees and $300,000 in annual revenue. Applicants may target either the United States or other international markets, but not both. The program also moved agriculture, agri-food, agri-products, fish, and seafood support to the AgriMarketing program, while certain technology and equipment businesses can remain within CanExport SMEs when their core activity is outside those excluded areas. These changes describe program requirements, not a determination that any business qualifies. Next action: compare current headcount, revenue, sector, and target-market plans with the official 2026-27 guidance before investing time in an application.