Anti-dumping probe into wheat gluten imports

Summary#

On August 14, 2020, the Canada Border Services Agency opened an investigation under the Special Import Measures Act into alleged dumping of certain wheat gluten imported from Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany and Lithuania. The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) will hold a preliminary inquiry and must decide within 60 days whether there is a reasonable indication of injury to the Canadian industry.

What it does#

• Starts an anti-dumping investigation of certain wheat gluten products from the six listed countries.
• Covers goods usually classified under tariff numbers 1109.00.10.00 and 1109.00.20.00.
• Directs the CITT to do a preliminary inquiry and make a decision within 60 days; if the CITT finds no reasonable indication of injury, the investigation stops.
• Invites written submissions from interested parties. Submissions must be sent electronically during the COVID-19 pandemic to simaregistry@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca and be received by December 21, 2020 to be considered.
• Says submissions are public unless clearly marked confidential; confidential filings must be accompanied by a non‑confidential edited version.
• Notes that the full product definition and the Statement of Reasons (to be issued within 15 days after the CITT decision) will be available on the CBSA website or via the SIMA Registry and Disclosure Unit.

Who's affected#

• Canadian producers and the “domestic industry” that make wheat gluten.
• Importers and traders who bring wheat gluten into Canada under tariff lines 1109.00.10.00 and 1109.00.20.00.
• Exporters and suppliers in Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany and Lithuania.
• Businesses that buy wheat gluten (food, feed or industrial users) could be indirectly affected if measures are later imposed.
• If it’s unclear whether a particular product is included, the CBSA product definition (on its website) should be checked.

Why it matters#

• If the investigation later finds dumping and injury, it can lead to anti‑dumping duties or other import measures that raise costs for importers and could affect prices or availability for customers.
• The preliminary CITT decision within 60 days determines whether the full investigation continues.
• The invitation to submit evidence gives affected parties a chance to present data or arguments before any measures are considered.
• For more information or to submit materials, see the CBSA website or contact the SIMA Registry and Disclosure Unit (phone: 613‑948‑4605; email: simaregistry@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca).