Anti‑dumping probe into steel strapping

Summary#

On May 12, 2025, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) started formal investigations under the Special Import Measures Act into whether certain steel strapping is being dumped (sold too cheaply) or subsidized when imported from the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Türkiye, the Republic of Korea, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) will do a preliminary inquiry about injury to Canadian industry and must decide within 60 days; the process could lead to duties or other trade remedies if dumping or subsidizing plus injury are found.

What it does#

• Opens anti-dumping investigations into steel strapping allegedly dumped from China, Türkiye, Korea, and Vietnam.
• Opens an anti-subsidy investigation (alleged subsidizing) specifically for goods from China.
• Defines the product broadly as carbon or alloy steel strapping (with or without seals, punched, waxed, coated or not) with a nominal width of 9.5 mm (3/8 inch) to 50.8 mm (2 inches) and a nominal thickness of 0.38 mm (0.015 inch) to 1.12 mm (0.044 inch).
• Notes the goods are normally imported under a number of tariff classification numbers (examples given in the notice include 7212.20.00.30 and 7312.90.00.00). The notice says those lists include non-subject goods and that subject goods might be classified under other numbers too.
• Sends the injury question to the Canadian International Trade Tribunal. The Tribunal will hold a preliminary inquiry and must decide within 60 days whether there is a reasonable indication of injury. If it finds none, the investigations stop.
• Invites written information and evidence to the CBSA. To be considered in the investigations, the CBSA must receive submissions by September 18, 2025. The CITT also set participation and filing deadlines for its written inquiry, including forms and submissions due in late May and June 2025 (see the notice for exact dates).

Who's affected#

• Domestic makers of steel strapping and other Canadian producers of similar steel products.
• Importers and exporters of steel strapping, especially firms trading with China, Türkiye, Korea, and Vietnam.
• Businesses that use steel strapping (for example in packaging, lumber, steel coils) who could see price or supply effects.
• Customs brokers, freight forwarders, and trade lawyers who handle imports of these goods.
• The notice names tariff lines and a specific product definition, but it also says the exact list of affected import classifications is not limited to those shown.

Why it matters#

• If the investigations find dumping or unfair subsidies plus injury to Canadian producers, the CBSA could impose anti-dumping or countervailing duties. That would raise the cost of imports and could change sourcing choices.
• Higher import costs or new paperwork could be passed on to businesses that use strapping, possibly affecting shipping, packaging, and manufacturing costs.
• For Canadian steel strapping makers, a finding of injury could mean protection from lower-priced or subsidized imports.
• The process is just starting. Nothing has been decided yet; interested parties can submit evidence by the stated deadlines.