Hundreds of Canadian businesses importing from Vietnam overpay on tariffs every year — simply because no one told them CPTPP exists. This guide changes that.
Calculate My Savings Check EligibilityUnderstanding the basics
CPTPP — the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership — is a free trade agreement between 12 countries including Canada and Vietnam. It came into force for Vietnam on January 14, 2019.
In plain terms: if your goods from Vietnam meet specific origin requirements, Canada will charge you 0% import tariff instead of the standard 16–18% MFN (Most Favoured Nation) rate. For a $200,000 annual import, that’s $32,000–$36,000 CAD per year you keep in your pocket.
The catch? You need to know about it, apply correctly, and have the right paperwork. Most Canadian SMEs importing from Vietnam miss this entirely — because their freight forwarder never brings it up.
NovaLynk là Trade Compliance Partner của bạn trên tuyến Canada–Vietnam. CPTPP compliance được tích hợp vào mọi lô hàng chúng tôi xử lý — không phải dịch vụ thêm tiền, không cần bạn phải nhớ nhắc. Chúng tôi kiểm tra, chuẩn bị C/O, và khai báo đúng với CBSA mỗi lần hàng đi.
Tariff savings by category
Here are the most common product categories Canadian businesses import from Vietnam — and the tariff difference CPTPP makes:
| Product Category | Standard Rate (MFN) | CPTPP Rate | Your Saving | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garments & Apparel | 16–18% | 0% | Up to 18% | Yarn-Forward rule applies |
| Wood Furniture & Cabinets | 6–9.5% | 0% | Up to 9.5% | Effective immediately |
| Footwear (rubber, leather) | Up to 20% | 0% | Up to 20% | Most categories qualify |
| Bags, Luggage & Leather Goods | 6–15% | 0% | Up to 15% | Phased 3–7 years |
| Seafood (shrimp, fish, squid) | 5–15% | 0% | Up to 15% | Simplest to qualify |
| Plastic Housewares | 4–7% | 0% | Up to 7% | Schedule varies by HS code |
| Electronics & Computers | 0–5% | 0% | Already exempt (ITA) | ITA agreement applies |
| Coffee, Cashews, Agricultural | 0% | 0% | Already 0% | Simple origin proof needed |
Free Tool
Do your goods qualify?
CPTPP has three qualification pathways. Your goods only need to meet one of the following — not all three.
Goods entirely grown, harvested, or produced in Vietnam with no foreign inputs. This covers most seafood, agricultural products, and natural materials.
At least 40% of the goods’ value must come from CPTPP member countries (Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia, Australia, Canada, and others). You can use some non-CPTPP materials as long as the value threshold is met.
Simple math: Chair sells FOB $50. Vietnam materials + labour = $22. RVC = $22/$50 = 44% ✓
Non-CPTPP materials are allowed if the manufacturing process in Vietnam creates a product with a different HS code than its inputs. This proves meaningful transformation occurred in Vietnam.
Note for apparel: Most garment categories require the stricter “Yarn Forward” rule — fabric must also be CPTPP-origin. Ask us if you’re unsure about your specific product.
What you need
To claim CPTPP preference at the Canadian border, every shipment needs a Certificate of Origin (Form VN) issued by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce (VCCI) or Ministry of Industry and Trade. Here’s what’s involved:
Common questions
Tell us what you’re importing and we’ll assess eligibility, estimate your savings, and quote your shipment — all within 4 hours.