---
title: How safeguard measures differ from anti-dumping and countervailing duties
description: Learn how safeguard measures differ from anti-dumping and countervailing duties in Canada, when they apply, and how to check which trade remedies apply.
image: https://blog.coleintl.com/hubfs/Images/Import%20Foundations-Freight%20Fundamentals/Import%20Foundations/Updated%20version/Import%20Foundations%20-%20CND%20(2).jpg
---

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# How safeguard measures differ from anti-dumping and countervailing duties

 Trade Update: October 26,2026

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How safeguard measures differ from anti-dumping and countervailing duties

5:32

Safeguard measures address injury caused by increased imports, while anti-dumping and countervailing duties address injury caused by dumped or subsidized goods.

## **At a glance**

- Safeguard measures address increased imports that are a principal cause of serious injury, or its threat, to Canadian industries
- Safeguards are temporary measures that may involve surtaxes, import quotas, or tariff-rate quotas
- Anti-dumping duties address dumped imports, while countervailing duties address subsidized imports
- Global safeguards generally cover goods from multiple countries, while SIMA duties target specified goods from identified countries or exporters

---

**Safeguard measures** can affect your landed costs, sourcing decisions, and supply chain planning when importing goods into Canada.

Depending on the products you import and their origin, you may face additional duties, import restrictions, or other customs requirements.

In this article, we explain how safeguard measures work, how they differ from anti-dumping and countervailing duties, and how to check which trade remedies may apply to your imports.

## **What are safeguard measures?**

Safeguard measures provide temporary protection to Canadian industries when increased imports are a principal cause of serious injury or the threat of serious injury.

Under the ⁠[Canadian International Trade Tribunal Act](https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-18.3/), serious injury means significant overall impairment in the position of domestic producers. A principal cause is an important cause that is no less important than any other cause of the injury.

A safeguard inquiry may be initiated following a complaint from domestic producers or a trade union, or through a government order.

The ⁠[Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT)](https://www.citt-tcce.gc.ca/en/safeguard-inquiries/safeguard-inquiry-guidelines) investigates whether increased imports are causing or threatening serious injury. Before imposing global safeguards, the government must also establish that the increase in imports resulted from unforeseen developments and applicable trade obligations.

Following the required findings, the federal government decides whether to impose measures. Global safeguards may take several forms, including:

- [Import surtaxes](https://blog.coleintl.com/import-foundations/understanding-import-surtaxes-on-goods-entering-canada)
- Import quotas
- Tariff-rate quotas ([TRQs](https://blog.coleintl.com/import-foundations/understanding-the-basics-of-canadas-tariff-rate-quota-trq-system))

In critical circumstances, provisional safeguards may be imposed before a final injury determination. These take the form of a surtax, can remain in effect for up to 200 days, and must be refunded if the required injury finding is not made.

Global safeguards generally cover imports from multiple countries, subject to exclusions. Bilateral safeguards, by contrast, address imports from a specific free trade agreement partner. They generally involve suspending tariff reductions or restoring most-favoured-nation ([MFN](https://blog.coleintl.com/import-foundations/what-is-the-most-favoured-nation-mfn-tariff-rate-in-canada)) rates and may apply for up to three years.

Canada can also impose surtaxes outside the safeguard process, so not every import surtax is a safeguard measure.

## **How do safeguard measures differ from SIMA duties?**

Unlike [anti-dumping and countervailing duties](https://blog.coleintl.com/import-foundations/what-are-anti-dumping-and-countervailing-duties), safeguards do not require evidence of unfair trade practices. They can apply even when your imported goods are fairly priced and receive no government subsidies. However, the main differences focus on what triggers each measure, the injury threshold, and how long the measures can remain in effect.

**Safeguard measures** respond to increased imports that cause or threaten serious injury to Canadian producers, regardless of whether the goods are fairly traded.

**Anti-dumping duties** address goods exported to Canada at prices below their normal value, while **countervailing duties** address goods benefiting from actionable government subsidies.

Both are governed by Canada’s ⁠Special Import Measures Act ([SIMA](https://blog.coleintl.com/import-foundations/understanding-sima-duties-and-how-they-are-assessed)).

Under SIMA, the CBSA investigates dumping and subsidization, while the CITT determines whether the imports cause or threaten material injury. But safeguards require serious injury, a higher threshold than the material injury standard under SIMA.

The measures also differ in duration.

Under the ⁠[WTO Agreement on Safeguards](https://www.wto.org/english/docs_e/legal_e/25-safeg_e.htm), global safeguards generally have an initial maximum duration of four years, including any provisional period. They may be extended, subject to conditions, to a total of eight years. Measures lasting more than one year must be progressively liberalized during their application.

SIMA findings and orders generally expire after five years unless continued following an expiry review. Each continuation can extend them for another five years.

## **How can you check which trade remedies apply to your imports?**

Before importing goods into Canada:

- **Confirm the** [**tariff classification**](https://blog.coleintl.com/import-foundations/how-tariff-classification-works-in-canada) to identify applicable customs requirements
- **Check the ⁠**[**measures in force**](https://blog.coleintl.com/import-foundations/what-are-measures-in-force-under-sima) for anti-dumping or countervailing duties
- **Review safeguard measures, surtax orders, and product exclusions** that may apply
- **Verify the country of origin and export**, including any country-specific exceptions
- **Check whether import quotas, TRQs, or permit** requirements apply
- **Calculate your ⁠**[**landed costs**](https://blog.coleintl.com/freight-fundamentals/what-does-the-landed-cost-include), including applicable [duties and taxes](https://blog.coleintl.com/import-foundations/understanding-canadian-import-duties-and-taxes), and other import expenses

## **Identify applicable trade remedies before you import**

Cole International provides trade consulting and customs brokerage services to help you identify applicable trade remedies and assess potential duty exposure.

**Reach out to one of our trade professionals to understand how safeguard measures and SIMA duties may affect your imports and landed costs.**

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