Investigation into Rebar Imports from Bulgaria, Thailand, UAE

Summary#

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) started an investigation on May 3, 2024 under the Special Import Measures Act (SIMA) into whether certain concrete reinforcing bar (rebar) from the Republic of Bulgaria, the Kingdom of Thailand and the United Arab Emirates was dumped in Canada and injuring Canadian industry. The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) will hold a preliminary inquiry and must decide within 60 days; interested parties can send information to the CBSA by September 9, 2024.

What it does#

• Opens a SIMA investigation into alleged injurious dumping of certain concrete reinforcing bar imported from the Republic of Bulgaria, the Kingdom of Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.
• Identifies the affected product by tariff classification (detailed product definition is available on the CBSA website).
• Directs the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) to do a preliminary inquiry into injury and to make a decision within 60 days of the investigation start.
• If the CITT finds no reasonable indication of injury, the investigation stops.
• Invites written submissions and evidence to be sent electronically to simaregistry@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca; submissions must be received by September 9, 2024 to be considered.
• Notes that any information filed will be treated as public unless clearly marked confidential, and confidential filings must include a non-confidential edited version.
• The CBSA will publish a Statement of Reasons within 15 days after the CITT’s decision.

Who's affected#

• Canadian steel and rebar producers who are alleging injury and may be the basis for trade action.
• Importers, distributors and traders of concrete reinforcing bar from the Republic of Bulgaria, the Kingdom of Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.
• Construction companies, contractors and buyers who use rebar in building and infrastructure projects (they could see changes in supply or price if measures follow).
• Exporters and manufacturers in the named countries who sell rebar to Canada.
• The general public only indirectly — for example, through potential changes to construction costs or local employment in the steel sector.

Why it matters#

• This is the start of a formal trade inquiry — not a finding that dumping or injury occurred. The CITT’s preliminary decision determines whether the full investigation continues.
• If the investigation proceeds and later finds dumping and injury, it could lead to trade remedies (for example, anti-dumping duties) that raise the cost of rebar imports. That could protect some Canadian producers but increase costs for builders and potentially affect construction prices or schedules.
• Interested businesses and other parties have a set window to submit evidence; their input may influence whether the investigation advances.