For B.C. businesses ready to grow, the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) is more than just a trade deal. It provides access to two of the world’s largest markets and comes with real advantages like tariff reductions and easier cross-border trade.

To get the most of these benefits, your business needs to be CUSMA compliant. Do you know if your goods qualify under the rules of origin? Are you confident your paperwork meets the requirements?

Managing the rules of origin, documentation and legal requirements can be confusing and costly for B.C. businesses. That’s why Export Navigator has launched the CUSMA Compliance Advisory Services Initiative (CCASI), with support from Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan), to help B.C. exporters get the help they need.

How CUSMA opens doors for B.C. exporters

CUSMA is the trade agreement that replaced North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 2020. It covers nearly $1.5 trillion in trade between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. For Canadian businesses, CUSMA offers:

  • Reduced or eliminated tariffs on many goods
  • Stronger protections for intellectual property
  • Simplified customs procedures for some sectors
  • More certainty in North American supply chains

CUSMA means more than just doing paperwork. It can be your competitive advantage when selling into the U.S.

Is your business CUSMA-compliant?

Being compliant means proving your goods meet the rules of origin and other conditions outlined in the agreement. That typically involves:

  • Determining the correct Harmonized System (HS) code for your product
  • Demonstrating that enough of your product’s value comes from Canada, the U.S. or Mexico
  • Completing the right certificates of origin and supporting documents

Do you know if your product’s inputs affect its origin status? Are your certificates up-to-date and accurate?

For businesses without in-house international trade expertise, that often means working with experts like customs brokers, trade consultants, lawyers or compliance specialists and those costs can add up quickly.

CCASI cuts the cost of CUSMA compliance

That’s where CCASI comes in. Instead of letting compliance costs hold you back, CCASI helps you get expert support – so you can focus more on growth and less on paperwork.

Here’s how CCASI works:

  • Funding available: Up to $5,000 in non-repayable funding
  • Matching structure: Reimbursement of 50% of eligible costs after completing services
  • Eligible providers: Canadian or U.S.-based customs brokers, consultants, lawyers and compliance specialists
  • Timing: CCASI runs through March 2026 or until funds are fully allocated.

For example, if you spend $8,000 working with a compliance expert, CCASI could reimburse you $4,000 of that cost.

Get started today

To be eligible, your business:

  • Is registered in British Columbia
  • Has exported to the U.S. within the past 12 months
  • Has eligible costs incurred on or after April 1, 2025

Ready to see what CCASI can do for your business? Simply complete the online application. Once approved, you can work with your service provider and then submit your receipts for reimbursement.

CUSMA opens doors for Canadian businesses across North America, but only if you’re compliant. Don’t let the cost of compliance hold you back. With CCASI funding, you can access the right experts, cut your costs and position your business for growth in the U.S. and Mexico.

Ready to apply? Learn more and start your application today.