About exporting
About exporting
Whether your business is big or small, you can find new customers beyond our borders.
Big or small, you can find new customers beyond our borders.
Where are you in the journey?
Whether you’re exporting products, services or experiences, discover the next step for your business. Click the timeline below to locate where you are now, and see what you might want to do next.
Am I ready to export?
You may be exporting already. Join Canadian businesses of all sizes that are finding success by growing their customer base and finding new opportunities internationally.
Quick tips
- Between 2009 and 2011, one out of every 10 exporters grew at an annual rate of more than 20%.
- You don't have to be a huge corporation—size isn’t related to success abroad.
- Understand that you’ll require thorough preparation and logistical planning.
TradeInsights
Want the latest? The TradeInsights tab on the EDC website will bring you leading-edge articles, commentary, webinars, and other tools designed to keep you up to date. Here’s a sample of what you’ll find there to help Canadian exporters navigate the global market.
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I was an exporter and I didn’t know it
If you’re a small online service provider, you may not even think of yourself as an exporter. Here’s why you should, and how you can further expand your business internationally.
-
Five signs you’re ready to start exporting
Getting started with exporting isn’t always easy. The good news: Even if you’re just considering taking that first step, you may be further along in the exporting journey than you think.
-
Outside the comfort zone: Expanding beyond the U.S.
If you’re thinking of expanding into another country, you’ll need to choose your target markets carefully. Here’s why you should diversify your efforts beyond the United States.
Learn more
Find answers to your intercultural questions from a Canadian and a local point of view.
Build an export plan
Your export plan is an extension of your business plan. Discover how to map a strategy to find new customers and partners internationally, be competitive and access the skilled talent you need to grow your business.
Quick tips
- Ensure your domestic business plan is already effective.
- Cover elements such as financing arrangements, major competitors and market risks.
- Consider staffing plans, competitive advantages and disadvantages and how you might need to adapt your product.
TradeInsights
Want the latest? The TradeInsights tab on the EDC website will bring you leading-edge articles, commentary, webinars, and other tools designed to keep you up to date. Here’s a sample of what you’ll find there to help Canadian exporters navigate the global market.
-
I was an exporter and I didn’t know it
If you’re a small online service provider, you may not even think of yourself as an exporter. Here’s why you should, and how you can further expand your business internationally.
-
Five signs you’re ready to start exporting
Getting started with exporting isn’t always easy. The good news: Even if you’re just considering taking that first step, you may be further along in the exporting journey than you think.
-
Outside the comfort zone: Expanding beyond the U.S.
If you’re thinking of expanding into another country, you’ll need to choose your target markets carefully. Here’s why you should diversify your efforts beyond the United States.
Learn more
Find answers to your intercultural questions from a Canadian and a local point of view.
The organizations that succeed in new international trade ventures are usually those that carefully plan their market entry strategies. By choosing the right market entry strategy for your industry and needs, analyzing market entry opportunities, and creating a new international business plan, you will be able to play to your strengths better than ever and establish the best possible strategy for your short-term and long-term future.
Identify target markets
Conduct market research to pinpoint the best country for your business by identifying opportunities, highlighting trade barriers and understanding where your product or service is in demand.
Quick tips
- Do you offer something niche to a specific market?
- Identify which countries have a Free Trade Agreement with Canada and focus on them first.
- Figure out how you will get your product to that market and what it will cost you.
TradeInsights
Want the latest? The TradeInsights tab on the EDC website will bring you leading-edge articles, commentary, webinars, and other tools designed to keep you up to date. Here’s a sample of what you’ll find there to help Canadian exporters navigate the global market.
-
I was an exporter and I didn’t know it
If you’re a small online service provider, you may not even think of yourself as an exporter. Here’s why you should, and how you can further expand your business internationally.
-
Five signs you’re ready to start exporting
Getting started with exporting isn’t always easy. The good news: Even if you’re just considering taking that first step, you may be further along in the exporting journey than you think.
-
Outside the comfort zone: Expanding beyond the U.S.
If you’re thinking of expanding into another country, you’ll need to choose your target markets carefully. Here’s why you should diversify your efforts beyond the United States.
Learn more
Find answers to your intercultural questions from a Canadian and a local point of view.
Finding customers
Consult with government agencies, trade associations, subject matter experts, brokers and other exporters to help you determine what your international customers need.
Quick tips
- Partner with like-minded businesses to expand your network.
- Open a foreign affiliate to sell goods and services.
- Attend trade shows and conferences specific to your industry.
TradeInsights
Want the latest? The TradeInsights tab on the EDC website will bring you leading-edge articles, commentary, webinars, and other tools designed to keep you up to date. Here’s a sample of what you’ll find there to help Canadian exporters navigate the global market.
-
I was an exporter and I didn’t know it
If you’re a small online service provider, you may not even think of yourself as an exporter. Here’s why you should, and how you can further expand your business internationally.
-
Five signs you’re ready to start exporting
Getting started with exporting isn’t always easy. The good news: Even if you’re just considering taking that first step, you may be further along in the exporting journey than you think.
-
Outside the comfort zone: Expanding beyond the U.S.
If you’re thinking of expanding into another country, you’ll need to choose your target markets carefully. Here’s why you should diversify your efforts beyond the United States.
Learn more
Find answers to your intercultural questions from a Canadian and a local point of view.
When you communicate clearly with your customers, negotiate or conduct your transactions clearly and provide the service they want, they’ll keep coming back again and again. Set up the right sales channels to give your customers access to your products or services, discover whether using agents, wholesalers or retailers should be part of your strategy, and find how acting upon customer information you’ve gathered can lead to increases in satisfaction rates.
Entering target markets
Finding your place in a new market is about selecting the best timing and the right partners. Determine the best market-entry options for your business. Should you sell directly, use a distribution network or set up an international office?
Quick tips
- If thinking about exporting directly to foreign consumers, consider how you might have to adapt your product.
- Intermediaries can help with cultural differences and language barriers.
- Partnering with a local company can help you with on-the-ground knowledge.
TradeInsights
Want the latest? The TradeInsights tab on the EDC website will bring you leading-edge articles, commentary, webinars, and other tools designed to keep you up to date. Here’s a sample of what you’ll find there to help Canadian exporters navigate the global market.
-
I was an exporter and I didn’t know it
If you’re a small online service provider, you may not even think of yourself as an exporter. Here’s why you should, and how you can further expand your business internationally.
-
Five signs you’re ready to start exporting
Getting started with exporting isn’t always easy. The good news: Even if you’re just considering taking that first step, you may be further along in the exporting journey than you think.
-
Outside the comfort zone: Expanding beyond the U.S.
If you’re thinking of expanding into another country, you’ll need to choose your target markets carefully. Here’s why you should diversify your efforts beyond the United States.
Learn more
Find answers to your intercultural questions from a Canadian and a local point of view.
When you communicate clearly with your customers, negotiate or conduct your transactions clearly and provide the service they want, they’ll keep coming back again and again. Set up the right sales channels to give your customers access to your products or services, discover whether using agents, wholesalers or retailers should be part of your strategy, and find how acting upon customer information you’ve gathered can lead to increases in satisfaction rates.
Country Info
EDC’s Country Info page is a country-by-country portal outlining our trade relationships, potential buyers, economic and political trends, as well as sector and commodity information.
Identify finance requirements
Financial products fuel your international growth. Discover how to find government loans and grants, get financial information on partners, negotiate competitive payment terms with new customers, and why leveraging your accounts receivable and insuring your sales can put you in a more competitive position.
TradeInsights
Want the latest? The TradeInsights tab on the EDC website will bring you leading-edge articles, commentary, webinars, and other tools designed to keep you up to date. Here’s a sample of what you’ll find there to help Canadian exporters navigate the global market.
-
I was an exporter and I didn’t know it
If you’re a small online service provider, you may not even think of yourself as an exporter. Here’s why you should, and how you can further expand your business internationally.
-
Five signs you’re ready to start exporting
Getting started with exporting isn’t always easy. The good news: Even if you’re just considering taking that first step, you may be further along in the exporting journey than you think.
-
Outside the comfort zone: Expanding beyond the U.S.
If you’re thinking of expanding into another country, you’ll need to choose your target markets carefully. Here’s why you should diversify your efforts beyond the United States.
Learn more
Find answers to your intercultural questions from a Canadian and a local point of view.
Export Guarantee Program
The Export Guarantee Program shares the financial risk with your bank so you can get the financing you need to break into new markets.
FITT: International Trade Finance
In the International Trade Finance course, you’ll learn everything an importer or exporter needs to know about payment, risk mitigation and financing, the financial flow and the flow of goods and services in global trade.
Goverment of Canada: Canada Small Business Financing Program
Most start-ups and existing for-profit small businesses in Canada with gross revenues of $10 million or less are eligible to apply for loans under this program. Such businesses can be corporations, sole proprietors, partnerships or co-operatives.
Managing risk
Get insights into political, financial, economic and business risk so you can take steps to protect yourself from non-payment and create a robust risk management strategy.
Quick tips
- Protect your intellectual property by registering your IP in Canada and in the international market.
- Ask each new customer to complete a credit application.
- Protect against non-payment with credit insurance.
TradeInsights
Want the latest? The TradeInsights tab on the EDC website will bring you leading-edge articles, commentary, webinars, and other tools designed to keep you up to date. Here’s a sample of what you’ll find there to help Canadian exporters navigate the global market.
-
I was an exporter and I didn’t know it
If you’re a small online service provider, you may not even think of yourself as an exporter. Here’s why you should, and how you can further expand your business internationally.
-
Five signs you’re ready to start exporting
Getting started with exporting isn’t always easy. The good news: Even if you’re just considering taking that first step, you may be further along in the exporting journey than you think.
-
Outside the comfort zone: Expanding beyond the U.S.
If you’re thinking of expanding into another country, you’ll need to choose your target markets carefully. Here’s why you should diversify your efforts beyond the United States.
Learn more
Find answers to your intercultural questions from a Canadian and a local point of view.
FITT: Risk analysis and management
What tolerance does your business have for risks, and are you prepared for them? By using standard tools and strategies, you can estimate the likelihood of different types of risk and prepare contingency plans for dealing with them. With these in hand, even if risk becomes reality, you’ll be able to reduce its impact on your business and maintain a trajectory towards long-term stability and success.
Foreign Exchange Facility Guarantee
Foreign exchange risk management is easier with our FOREX Guarantee. Purchase foreign exchange contracts without the need for collateral.
EDC Credit Insurance
EDC Credit Insurance is a type of commercial export insurance that protects your accounts receivable against losses when a customer cannot pay.
Sustaining growth
Understand how you can build on your exporting success to grow your business through direct investment, establish an in-market presence and develop a solid international network.
Quick tips
- Expand your reach online through e-commerce and social media.
- Make your business environment more innovative.
- Partner with like-minded companies in international markets.
TradeInsights
Want the latest? The TradeInsights tab on the EDC website will bring you leading-edge articles, commentary, webinars, and other tools designed to keep you up to date. Here’s a sample of what you’ll find there to help Canadian exporters navigate the global market.
-
I was an exporter and I didn’t know it
If you’re a small online service provider, you may not even think of yourself as an exporter. Here’s why you should, and how you can further expand your business internationally.
-
Five signs you’re ready to start exporting
Getting started with exporting isn’t always easy. The good news: Even if you’re just considering taking that first step, you may be further along in the exporting journey than you think.
-
Outside the comfort zone: Expanding beyond the U.S.
If you’re thinking of expanding into another country, you’ll need to choose your target markets carefully. Here’s why you should diversify your efforts beyond the United States.
Learn more
Find answers to your intercultural questions from a Canadian and a local point of view.
Global Export Forecast
Get expert insight from a top economist on the current trends influencing global trade and Canadian exporting, in a user-friendly, twice-annual report.
Interested in growing your business in this market?
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