Export from British Columbia and Grow Your Business

Tapping into international markets offers the potential for immense business growth. British Columbia’s (B.C.) strategic location on the west coast of North America and its supportive business environment means businesses of all sizes, across all industry sectors, can benefit from going global. Trade and Invest B.C. offers a wide variety of resources to help your business grow through international opportunities.

British Columbia’s Export Advantage

There is a vision for B.C.’s economic future: creating an innovative, sustainable, and inclusive economy that works for everyone.

BC’s biggest economic advantage is our people. And with strong and measurable environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments by the province, these principles are a key part of how we do business. Adherence to these principles will help make B.C. businesses stand out and gain competitive advantage in the global economy and help build a Stronger BC.

Export your business advantages by leveraging B.C.’s collective economic advantage. Learn more about our strategic markets and the opportunities to be found in exporting B.C. products and services globally.

Doing Business in BC - business people shaking hands.

Why Expand Your Export Capabilities?

Why Export - Broaden Opportunities Infographic

Why Export - Increase Competitiveness Infographic

Get Started Exporting

Are you export ready?

Answer a few short questions to assess your readiness to do business abroad. Learn what it takes to become export ready.

Take the Quiz

Funding and Support

Apply for financial support or join programs that help innovative firms and motivated groups reach their export potential.

Explore

Export Guides

Access guides and information about what you need to successfully do business in international markets.

Access Guides

Explore Export Markets

Country and sector information

Research your next target market with up-to-date information and reports on international markets and sectors.

Explore market information

Tariffs, sanctions and export controls

Plan for the tariffs, sanctions, and export and controls that you may encounter when exporting from B.C.

Learn about tariffs

Canada’s trade agreements

Take advantage of Canada’s free trade and foreign investment agreements.

Explore trade agreements

Export Programs For B.C. Businesses

Export Navigator

A program that offers free, ongoing access to community-based export advisors who can provide a personalized, step-by-step approach to exporting. Available across all regions of B.C.

Discover Export Navigator

Trade Accelerator Program

The Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) offers workshops designed to help businesses create an export plan and launch into new markets. Available to all B.C. businesses.

Learn about TAP

Federal Government Programs

Canada’s federal government offers a variety of programs that help grow business export capacity.

Explore federal programs

B.C. Export News And Stories

Regional Chief Photo - StrongerBC Advancing Indigenous Economies

Celebrating Indigenous Economies in B.C.

British Columbia fosters economic growth through inclusive partnerships with Indigenous communities, offering resources and opportunities…

British Columbia is Canada's westernmost province.

Discover British Columbia’s Natural Advantage

British Columbia is the gateway to sustainable growth and global business success, offering unmatched natural resources, innovative talent…

The Impact of B.C.’s Life Science Innovations: Q&A with AbCellera and Acuitas Therapeutics

B.C.’s life sciences sector, including AbCellera and Acuitas Therapeutics, is driving global health innovation and investment.

View All News

Frequently Asked Export Questions

Here are some common questions we are asked at Trade and Invest BC about exporting goods and services internationally.

We are a small company and are not sure if we have the means and resources to export abroad like a large company. Can you help us?

Exporting is a way to grow even a small business. We suggest exploring one of our export capacity development programs to gauge your potential and readiness. You may also want to consider how Canada’s 15 free trade agreements covering 51 countries can provide you with a leg up on your international competitors.

To establish a presence in Europe we need an economical and efficient way to meet with potential buyers and partners there. How can you help?

The Province of B.C. maintains a global presence internationally including offices located in Europe. Our Export Services team can highlight programs and upcoming events that may assist in developing your export capacity to the key market you’re interested in reaching. Please contact us, we are here to help.

We see two programs available to help B.C. businesses become export ready. Which should we choose? Export Navigator or the Trade Accelerator Program? Are these programs free?

The Province offers two programs that help companies learn more about exporting and help them develop export capacity: Export Navigator and the Trade Accelerator Program. Both programs are free to eligible B.C. businesses. Please refer to the program page to learn more about these programs, determine which may be a better fit for your business, and to register or apply for either program.

Our company already sells to the U.S. and we see potential for our products in other markets such as India. Should we contact the Trade and Invest BC representative directly in India for help?

Trade and Invest BC supports programs that help grow the export capacity of B.C. companies. Please contact our Export Services team first to discuss how we can assist you in India or other markets where B.C. has an office.

We are considering diversifying our export markets. How can Canada’s free trade agreements (FTAs) make our goods/services more competitive abroad?

Free trade agreements provide a degree of certainty in uncertain times, advance and protect B.C.’s competitive advantages, open new markets, remove trade barriers, generate new trade opportunities (including for Indigenous peoples), lower business costs, improve labour mobility and are a critical part of attracting new investment into B.C.’s regions. FTAs apply to all sectors of the economy and many areas of trading relationships, including goods, services, and investment. Our Trade Policy and Negotiations team can help you navigate FTAs to ensure you are making the most of them.

Our business is facing a barrier to trade. How can we seek to have it addressed?

Trade barriers include onerous or duplicative administrative procedures, quantitative restrictions (such as quotas), price controls, licensing requirements and product labelling requirements. Trade barriers take two forms – tariff and non-tariff. It is important to remember that not all regulations and procedures will be considered a trade barrier. Some regulations make sense, such as those aimed at protecting public health or the environment. If you are facing a legitimate barrier this website makes it easy to report them. Our Trade Policy and Negotiations Team can also seek to have it addressed by advocating for you to the relevant authorities..

How We Help BC Businesses Export Internationally

Trade and Invest BC helps build connections and partnerships by promoting the trade of B.C. products and services globally. We also facilitate foreign investment and enable businesses to successfully expand to and establish a business presence in British Columbia, Canada.

Learn more about Trade and Invest BC