Depending on the outcome of CBSA and CITT proceedings, Canadian importers of certain plywood from China could face provisional duties by July 2026.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) launched dumping and subsidizing investigations into decorative and other non-structural plywood imported from China. The Canadian market for these products is estimated at approximately $430 million per year.
A Statement of Reasons with additional details will be available on the CBSA’s website within 15 days of the launch of the investigations.
The investigations follow a complaint by Columbia Forest Products (CFP) and the Canadian Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Association (CHPVA).
The complainants allege that, as a result of an increase in the volume of the dumped imports, they have suffered material injury in the form of lost sales, lost market share, price undercutting, price depression, price suppression, poor financial results, reduced capacity utilization, reduced employment, and lost return on investment.
Both the CBSA and the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) are conducting parallel proceedings under the Special Import Measures Act (SIMA).
The investigations cover decorative and other non-structural plywood from China, including surface-coated or covered plywood and veneer core platforms used to make these products.
This refers to flat, multilayered plywood or other veneered panels made of two or more wood veneer plies and a core, glued or otherwise bonded together, with the face and/or back veneer made of wood. The product definition also covers goods that meet the ANSI/HPVA HP-1-2024 standard for hardwood and decorative plywood, including any revisions to that standard.
Certain products are excluded, such as specified structural plywood, finished plywood flooring, non-flat plywood products, certain Phenolic Film Faced Plyform (PFF), also known as Phenolic Surface Film Plywood (PSF), and certain laminated veneer lumber door and window components.
The CITT must issue its preliminary injury determination by June 9, 2026.
The CBSA’s preliminary determination is due by July 9, 2026.
If the CITT issues a positive preliminary injury determination and the CBSA makes preliminary dumping and/or subsidizing determinations, provisional duties may apply.
At Cole International, we offer trade consulting and customs brokerage services to help Canadian businesses assess how SIMA investigations may affect their duty exposure and compliance.
Reach out to one of our trade professionals to determine whether your plywood imports from China fall within the scope of this investigation and prepare for potential duty changes.