Canadian Exporters Can Now Choose: Canada-UK TCA or CPTPP for UK Trade
Canadian exporters selling to the United Kingdom now have a choice they did not have before. Since 1 September 2026, two trade agreements run side by side: the long-standing Canada-UK Trade Continuity Agreement (TCA) and the newly in-force Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The CPTPP does not replace the TCA. It gives you a second route to preferential treatment when trading with the UK.
min readUpdated September 2026
Canadian exporters can choose between two trade agreements when selling to the United Kingdom: the Canada-UK Trade Continuity Agreement and the CPTPP. The CPTPP adds new access for meat, sweetcorn, poultry, eggs, procurement, and services. There are also advantageous rules of origin to consider.
What changed on September 1, 2026
The UK's Accession Protocol to the CPTPP gives Canadian businesses another option when trading with the UK. The Canada-UK TCA already provides strong access to the UK market. The CPTPP adds UK market-access commitments that the TCA does not cover.
Canada was the final country to ratify the UK's accession, on 3 July 2026, which brought the CPTPP into force between Canada and the UK on 1 September 2026. On that date the Canada Border Services Agency also introduced the Comprehensive and Progressive United Kingdom Tariff (CPUKT), the reciprocal treatment for qualifying UK-origin goods entering Canada.
- 8 March 2018: the CPTPP is signed in Santiago, Chile.
- 30 December 2018: the CPTPP enters into force for the first six members, including Canada.
- July 2023: the UK signs its CPTPP accession protocol.
- 15 December 2024: the UK's accession enters into force for the first ratifying members.
- 3 July 2026: Canada ratifies the UK's accession, the last member to do so.
- 1 September 2026: the CPTPP enters into force between Canada and the UK.
The UK is Canada's third-largest trading partner, and trade in goods and services with the UK has grown 52.6 percent since 2016 to reach CAD 60.9 billion in 2024. On Jet Worldwide's Canada-to-UK lane, we see many exporters will benefit under CPTPP rules of origin.
The two agreements at a glance
| Feature | Canada-UK TCA | CPTPP (UK) |
|---|---|---|
| In force between Canada and the UK | Since 1 April 2021 | Since 1 September 2026 |
| Tariff coverage | Eliminates tariffs on 99 percent of UK tariff lines | Complements the TCA; does not replace it |
| Rules of origin | Bilateral rules carried over from CETA | CPTPP rules, with cumulation across member countries |
| Extra market access | Broad goods coverage already in place | Adds meat quota volumes, sweetcorn, poultry, eggs, procurement, and services |
| Best when | It already covers your product and needs | Your goods miss TCA origin, or you want the CPTPP-only benefits |
What the CPTPP adds beyond the TCA
The CPTPP includes UK market-access commitments that are not covered by the Canada-UK TCA. These include:
- Additional duty-free tariff rate quota volumes for certain meat products.
- Immediate duty-free and quota-free access for sweetcorn.
- Preferential treatment for poultry and eggs.
- Access to procurement opportunities at different levels of government in the UK, including regional and local contracting authorities.
- Additional commitments for services, investment, financial services, and temporary business travel.
Useful information: UK Import Fees explained
Which agreement to use
Use the scenarios below as a starting point. Before claiming preferential treatment, make sure your goods, services, investment, or business-travel plans meet the requirements of the agreement you choose.
Note: You can choose only one agreement and are bound by its entirety.
Your product does not qualify under the Canada-UK TCA rules of origin
Check whether it may qualify under CPTPP rules of origin. CPTPP rules may offer more flexibility for some goods.
The TCA already meets your needs
Continue using it, and take this opportunity to check whether CPTPP rules could help future shipments.
You use inputs from other CPTPP countries
Under the CPTPP, materials sourced from Japan, Vietnam and other member countries may count toward your product's origin. This creates opportunity for products that may otherwise not qualify for duty free import to the UK.
You export agriculture, food, or fish products to the UK
Check whether the CPTPP provides new or improved access for your product, including for certain meat products, sweetcorn, poultry, and eggs.
You sell to UK government authorities
Check whether the CPTPP gives you access to UK government procurement opportunities, including with regional and local contracting authorities.
Using inputs from other CPTPP countries
One of the most useful differences is origin cumulation. Under the CPTPP, materials sourced from other member countries, such as Japan, Australia, Mexico, or Vietnam, may count toward your product's origin. For a product built from a mix of imported inputs, that can be the deciding factor in whether it qualifies for preferential tariff treatment in the UK. If a product falls short of the TCA rules of origin, CPTPP cumulation is often the first thing worth checking.
READ MORE: DECLARING THE CORRECT VALUE TO THE UK
Steps to take
- Review the products you currently - or plan to - export to the UK.
- Confirm the HS code for your goods to check tariff rates, rules of origin, and documentation requirements. In some cases, the MFN rate may already be zero or insignificant.
- Review both CPTPP and CUKTCA information for the United Kingdom - especially the rules of origin.
- Before claiming preferential tariff treatment or relying on either agreement, confirm the requirements that apply to your product.
Shipping to the UK under either agreement? Jet Worldwide can help you move the goods once you have confirmed your preferential-origin route.
Get a Quote Talk to a SpecialistFrequently asked questions
Can Canadian exporters now choose between the Canada-UK TCA and the CPTPP?
Yes. Since 1 September 2026, when the CPTPP entered into force between Canada and the UK, exporters can choose the agreement that best suits their needs.
Does the CPTPP replace the Canada-UK TCA?
No. The CPTPP complements the Canada-UK TCA rather than replacing it. The TCA remains in force so it can continue to be used where it meets your needs.
What does the CPTPP add beyond the Canada-UK TCA for UK trade?
The CPTPP adds UK commitments not covered by the TCA: additional duty-free tariff rate quota volumes for certain meat products, immediate duty-free and quota-free access for sweetcorn, preferential treatment for poultry and eggs. CPTPP also provides access to UK government procurement including regional and local authorities.
My product does not qualify under the Canada-UK TCA rules of origin. What now?
Check whether it qualifies under the CPTPP rules of origin. CPTPP may offer more flexibility for some goods, including cumulation using materials from Japan, Mexico, Vietnam and other CPTPP member countries.
What is CPTPP origin cumulation?
Under the CPTPP, materials sourced from other member countries may count toward your product's origin. This can help your product qualify for preferential tariff treatment in CPTPP markets, including the UK.
How do I decide which agreement to use and confirm the requirements?
Confirm the HS code for each product, review both rules of origin and other factors.
Timothy Byrnes
Timothy Byrnes has led Jet Worldwide, a Montreal-based international logistics firm, since 1988, specializing in cross-border shipping and trade compliance.
Jet Worldwide, Canada. International shipping and trade-compliance support for Canadian exporters to the UK and CPTPP markets.
