Preliminary Anti‑Dumping Duties on Mattresses from China

Summary#

On July 7, 2022, the Canada Border Services Agency made preliminary findings under the Special Import Measures Act that certain mattresses from China are being dumped and subsidized. As a result, provisional duties may be applied to imports while the Canadian International Trade Tribunal carries out a full injury inquiry.

What it does#

• Declares preliminary dumping and subsidy findings for mattresses originating in or exported from China.
• Identifies the likely tariff classifications involved: 9404.21.00.00 and 9404.29.00.00 (these codes cover some goods that are not affected as well).
• Triggers a full injury inquiry by the Canadian International Trade Tribunal, which must make an order or finding within 120 days after it receives notice of the preliminary determinations.
• Makes provisional duty payable on subject goods released from the CBSA from July 7, 2022 until the investigation ends, the Tribunal issues its decision, or an undertaking is accepted.
• Says the provisional duty charged will not exceed the estimated margin of dumping and the estimated subsidy. The notice does not list specific duty rates.
• Notes that the Customs Act governs how these provisional duties are paid and that interest rules apply if duties are not paid on time.
• Promises a Statement of Reasons to be posted on the CBSA website within 15 days of the decision.

Who's affected#

• Importers, customs brokers and freight forwarders who bring mattresses from China into Canada.
• Mattress distributors and retailers who source products from those imports.
• Canadian mattress manufacturers, who are the complainants and may benefit if duties are imposed.
• Consumers could be affected indirectly if import costs lead to higher retail prices.
• It is unclear from this notice which specific mattress models are subject, because the tariff codes include both affected and unaffected goods.

Why it matters#

• Provisional duties can raise the cost of imported mattresses quickly, which may push up prices for retailers and buyers.
• The measure is intended to protect Canadian mattress makers while the Tribunal checks whether imports are harming the domestic industry.
• The final outcome (and any lasting duties) will depend on the Tribunal’s inquiry and is not decided yet. For more details, the CBSA’s Statement of Reasons will be posted on its website.