China and US Surtax Remission Amendments

Summary#

The Order Amending the China Surtax Remission Order (2024) and the United States Surtax Remission Order (2025) (2025-1) changes which imported goods can get relief from surtaxes the government put on some U.S. and Chinese products. It adds many specific products and extends some time-limited relief. The Order comes into force on October 15, 2025.

What it does#

• Expands which imports can get remission (a refund or relief) from surtaxes under the United States Surtax Remission Order (2025) and the China Surtax Remission Order (2024). The amendment:
  • Adds 7 products to Schedule 1 (public-health–related goods) of the U.S. remission order.
  • Adds 137 products to Schedule 2 (goods judged to be in short supply) of the U.S. remission order.
  • Adds 8 products to Schedule 3 (time-limited relief) of the U.S. remission order.
  • Adds 194 products to Schedule 4 (company‑specific relief for exceptional circumstances) of the U.S. remission order.
  • Adds 38 products to Schedule 1 (short-supply items) of the China remission order and 6 to Schedule 2 (company‑specific relief).
• Extends the broad, horizontal remission that helps public health, public safety and national security entities, and manufacturers:
  • Relief that was set to expire on October 15, 2025 is extended to December 15, 2025 for those categories.
• Broadens the manufacturing relief (section 3 of the U.S. remission order) to explicitly include goods used in agricultural production.
• Keeps and expands company‑by‑company lists and detailed technical product descriptions (many tariff numbers, sizes and grades are listed) so specific importers can claim remission under set conditions and time windows.
• Directs the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to handle remission claims and refunds under the amended rules.

Who's affected#

• Importers of steel, aluminum, tubes, bars, coils, automotive blanks and parts, certain medical and laboratory refrigerators/freezers, and many other detailed metal, plastic and packaging items listed in the schedules.
• Manufacturers and processors in industries that rely on those inputs (including food and beverage, oil and gas, and heavy industry).
• Agricultural producers and processors, because agricultural inputs are now covered under the manufacturing/processing remission.
• Public health, public safety, and national security entities that import covered equipment and supplies.
• Companies with specific, listed business numbers in the Order — those get tailored, company‑specific relief where shown in the schedules.
• The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), which will process claims and refunds (administration and compliance).

If you are unsure whether your product or company is on one of the many detailed lists, the Order includes specific tariff codes, product descriptions and, in some cases, company business numbers.

Why it matters#

• For businesses that must buy specific U.S. or Chinese inputs, this Order can prevent sudden cost increases caused by surtaxes (for example, the earlier 25% surtaxes on many U.S. goods and the 100% surtax on some Chinese electric vehicles). That reduces the risk of broken contracts, increased product prices, or production slowdowns.
• The extension to December 15, 2025 gives more time for health-care providers, public safety organizations, farmers and manufacturers to adjust supply chains or get alternative sources without immediately paying surtaxes.
• The amendment is highly specific: it lists exact product grades, sizes and sometimes company business numbers. That means relief is targeted, but it also means many importers will need to check the schedules closely to see if they qualify.
• The CBSA will administer refunds; importers must keep supporting records and may see processing times (the CBSA aims for a 90‑day standard depending on complexity).