---
title: Canadian Softwood Lumber Duties Unchanged Following NAFTA Panel Ruling
description: NAFTA panel ruling leaves Canadian softwood lumber duties unchanged. Learn what the decision means for exporters and future duty rates.
---

[Trade News](https://blog.coleintl.com/tradenews)

# [Canadian Softwood Lumber Duties Unchanged Following NAFTA Panel Ruling](https://blog.coleintl.com/tradenews/canadian-softwood-lumber-duties-unchanged-following-nafta-panel-ruling)

 Written by [Cole Marketing](https://blog.coleintl.com/tradenews/author/cole-marketing) | Oct 13, 2026, 8:01:12 PM

The NAFTA ruling concludes a longstanding legal challenge without changing current Canadian softwood lumber duties. However, the expected seventh-review results could soon alter applicable rates.

## At a glance

- The NAFTA ruling effectively concludes the 2017 challenge but does not resolve the broader softwood lumber dispute
- Current combined antidumping and countervailing duty rates range from 26.47% to 47.59%
- A separate 10% Section 232 tariff applies in addition to these duties
- Final results of the seventh administrative reviews are expected in October 2026 and could change applicable rates

A North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) panel has affirmed the U.S. Department of Commerce’s revised 2017 countervailing duty determination, leaving **Canadian softwood lumber duties** unchanged for now.

The decision, which was issued on October 5, 2026, and published in the ⁠[U.S. Federal Register](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-10-13/html/2026-20857.htm) on October 13, effectively concludes Canada’s challenge to the original determination.

However, Commerce could announce new duty rates soon, with the seventh administrative reviews expected to conclude in October 2026.

## **What did the NAFTA panel decide?**

The dispute concerned Commerce’s original determination that certain Canadian softwood lumber products benefited from countervailable subsidies.

Following earlier panel reviews, Commerce revised its determination. The panel has now affirmed its second redetermination.

According to ⁠[Global Affairs Canada](https://www.international.gc.ca/controls-controles/softwood-bois_oeuvre/recent.aspx?lang=eng), the decision effectively concludes this challenge.

The case continued under NAFTA Chapter 19 because it was initiated before CUSMA replaced NAFTA in 2020.

## **What duties currently apply to Canadian softwood lumber?**

The ruling does not change the cash-deposit rates established through the sixth administrative reviews.

Current combined antidumping and countervailing duty rates include:

- **Canfor:** 47.59%
- **West Fraser:** 26.47%
- **All others:** 35.16%

Certain products are also subject to a separate ⁠[10% Section 232 tariff](https://blog.coleintl.com/tradenews/the-us-announces-changes-to-wood-import-tariffs-starting-october-14), which applies in addition to [antidumping and countervailing duties](https://blog.coleintl.com/import-foundations/what-are-anti-dumping-and-countervailing-duties).

These duties are generally payable by the U.S. importer of record, although Canadian exporters may also bear the costs depending on their commercial arrangements.

## **Could these duties change?**

The current rates remain in effect for companies covered by the seventh administrative reviews until Commerce publishes the final results, expected in October 2026.

⁠[Preliminary results](https://www.international.gc.ca/controls-controles/softwood-bois_oeuvre/recent.aspx?lang=eng) indicate potentially lower combined rates, which are not yet effective and may change before the final results are published.

Commerce has also initiated its eighth administrative reviews, which could result in further rate adjustments.

## **Navigate U.S. duties on Canadian softwood lumber**

Cole International provides <https://www.coleintl.com/services/trade-consulting/>[trade consulting](https://www.coleintl.com/services/trade-consulting/) and [customs brokerage](https://www.coleintl.com/services/customs-brokerage/) services to help Canadian businesses understand applicable U.S. duties, assess tariff exposure, and navigate cross-border trade requirements.

**Reach out to one of [our trade professionals](https://www.coleintl.com/contact-us) to review the duties affecting your shipments and ensure your business is prepared for potential changes to trade measures.**

[View full post](https://blog.coleintl.com/tradenews/canadian-softwood-lumber-duties-unchanged-following-nafta-panel-ruling)

```json
{
  "@context" : "http://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Cole Marketing"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2026-10-13T20:01:12.687Z",
  "datePublished" : "2026-10-13T20:01:12Z",
  "headline" : "Canadian Softwood Lumber Duties Unchanged Following NAFTA Panel Ruling",
  "image" : {
    "@type" : "ImageObject",
    "height" : 813,
    "url" : "https://4433425.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/4433425/Images/Trade%20News%20pictures/Updated%20version/Trade%20News%20-%20CDN%20Customs%20Generic.jpg",
    "width" : 1625
  },
  "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://blog.coleintl.com/tradenews/canadian-softwood-lumber-duties-unchanged-following-nafta-panel-ruling",
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "height" : 60,
      "url" : "/hs/hsstatic/content_shared_assets/static-1.4092/img/default-amp-logo.png",
      "width" : 60
    },
    "name" : "Trade News"
  }
}
```