CETA Ratification Update 2025: What's Happening and What It Means for Canadian Trade
The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union has been in provisional application since 2017 — yet it is still not fully in force. That can be confusing for businesses: is CETA in effect or not? The short answer is that almost everything that matters for trading goods already applies today. Here is where ratification stands and what it means in practice.
Current Ratification Status
Because CETA is a "mixed" agreement covering areas of both EU and national competence, it must be ratified not only by the EU but by every EU member state.
As of 2025, 17 of the 27 EU member states have ratified CETA. Ten have not yet completed ratification:
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Cyprus
- France
- Greece
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Italy
- Poland
- Slovenia
In some of these countries, ratification has stalled for political or legal reasons. In others, it simply has not reached a final parliamentary vote.
What Provisional Application Means
Since September 21, 2017, the parts of CETA that fall within EU competence have applied provisionally. This covers the large majority of the agreement, including:
- Tariff elimination on the vast majority of goods
- Rules of origin and customs procedures
- Government procurement commitments
- Services and regulatory cooperation provisions within EU competence
- Recognition of certain professional qualifications and other trade-facilitation measures
In other words, the duty-free treatment that matters most to importers and exporters is already in effect.
What Full Ratification Would Unlock
The main elements not yet in effect are those within the competence of member states, most notably:
- Investment protection: The investment protection chapter, including protections for investors against unfair treatment
- The Investment Court System: CETA's mechanism for resolving disputes between investors and states
- Certain portfolio investment provisions
Full ratification would also bring legal certainty: the agreement could no longer be terminated through the provisional application mechanism if a member state formally notified that it would not ratify.
Timeline Predictions
Predicting when the remaining ratifications will be completed is difficult. Some member states face domestic political debates, and in a few cases parliamentary votes or court rulings have created additional hurdles. Full ratification could take several more years.
For businesses, the key point is that provisional application has now been in place for more than eight years, through multiple elections and political changes on both sides, and continues to deliver tariff-free trade.
What This Means for Brands in Practice
If you are an EU brand considering Canada, or a Canadian brand looking at Europe:
- The duty-free benefits are available now. You do not need to wait for full ratification to import qualifying goods duty-free.
- Rules of origin and documentation still apply. Make sure your goods qualify and your origin declarations are correct.
- Investment protection is the main gap, which matters more for companies making large direct investments than for brands selling goods.
Why Ratification Has Been Slow
The remaining ratifications have been delayed for different reasons in different countries:
- Investment dispute concerns: The Investment Court System has been the most debated part of CETA. Critics have raised concerns about how investor-state disputes could affect public policy, and some national parliaments have been reluctant to approve it.
- Agricultural sensitivities: Farm groups in some member states have argued that CETA increases competition for domestic producers, particularly in beef and other sensitive sectors.
- Domestic legal questions: In some countries, courts or constitutional requirements have added steps before ratification can be completed.
- Political timing: Ratification votes compete with other priorities, and changes in government can push them back.
None of these issues has stopped provisional application, and trade under CETA has continued to grow.
What Canada Has Done
Canada completed its own ratification of CETA in 2017. On the Canadian side, there is nothing further to approve: the delay rests entirely with the remaining EU member states. Canada continues to promote CETA to Canadian exporters and to work with EU partners on the agreement's implementation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CETA in force?
CETA is provisionally applied, which means most of the agreement — including tariff elimination — is in effect. It is not yet fully in force because not all EU member states have ratified it.
Could CETA be cancelled?
In theory, provisional application could be terminated if a member state formally notified that it would not ratify. In practice, provisional application has continued since 2017.
Do I need to do anything different while ratification is pending?
No. Importers and exporters use CETA's preferential tariffs in the same way they would after full ratification.
Action Plan for EU Brands
1. Confirm your products qualify under CETA rules of origin.
2. Register for REX if your consignments exceed the threshold that requires it.
3. Set up Canadian import accounts and choose a customs broker.
4. Prepare bilingual Canadian packaging.
5. Choose a fulfillment partner with infrastructure on both sides of the Atlantic.
6. Launch now — and capture first-mover advantage before more European competitors recognize the opportunity.
CanadiEx's Amsterdam and Duisburg facilities consolidate European inventory and ship it to our Toronto fulfillment centre and bonded warehouse, giving EU brands a ready-made path into Canada.