SIMA Investigations Underway for Unarmoured Building Cables from China

If proceedings by the CBSA and CITT result in affirmative findings, provisional duties could be imposed on certain unarmoured building cables as early as June 2026.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has published its Statement of Reasons for initiating investigations into the alleged dumping and subsidizing of certain unarmoured building cables originating in or exported from China.

The investigations, initiated on March 17, 2026, under the Special Import Measures Act (SIMA), are running in parallel with a preliminary injury inquiry opened by the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT).

If both proceedings result in affirmative findings, provisional duties could be imposed on the subject goods, and the CITT would move to a final injury inquiry.

The CITT's preliminary determination is due by May 15, 2026. The CBSA would then make its preliminary determinations by June 12, 2026.

What goods are subject to investigation?

The subject goods are unarmoured building cables and conductors for use in unarmoured building cables, originating in or exported from China. They generally include cables that:

• Contain two or three insulated copper or aluminum conductors plus a metallic bonding wire
• Are jacketed with a thermoplastic or thermoset material
• Have a voltage rating above 80 volts and up to 300 volts
• Range in size from AWG 14 to AWG 2
• Are used to distribute electricity to items such as lighting, appliances, and electrical outlets
• Are certified to applicable Canadian standards by a recognized certifying body

The scope excludes certain products, such as:

• Wire and cable in lengths less than 2 metres.
• Extension cords with permanent connections at both ends
• Vehicle and mobile equipment wiring, other than NMD90 and NMWU cable types
• Wiring harnesses
• Wire and cable used as manufacturing inputs, subject to the exception set out in the notice

China's share of the apparent Canadian market for the subject goods grew from 3.6% in 2023 to 17.5% in 2025, while domestic producers' market share fell from 66.1% to 43.6% over the same period.

The CBSA estimates a dumping margin of 52.3% of the export price and a subsidy of 44.9% of the export price.

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.

If you import China-origin unarmoured building cables into Canada, reach out to one of our trade professionals to discuss your product scope and next steps under this case.