Duties on Forged Grinding Media and Tableware

Summary#

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) made findings on imports from China for two products: forged grinding media (preliminary findings on May 25, 2026) and thermoformed molded fibre tableware (final findings on May 28, 2026). As a result, temporary extra charges (called provisional or provisional/antidumping and countervailing duties) are being applied to shipments while the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) looks into whether Canadian industry has been harmed.

What it does#

• For forged grinding media (preliminary on May 25, 2026):

  • The CBSA found evidence of dumping and subsidizing.
  • Temporary duties (provisional duties) must be paid on goods released from CBSA between May 25, 2026 and the earlier of the investigation ending, a CITT decision, or an accepted undertaking.
  • The provisional duty amount will not exceed the estimated dumping margin or estimated subsidy.
  • The Customs Act rules apply to payment and interest if duties are not paid on time.
  • The Canadian International Trade Tribunal will conduct a full inquiry and must make a final order or finding within 120 days after receiving the notice.

• For thermoformed molded fibre tableware (final on May 28, 2026):

  • The CBSA issued final findings of dumping and subsidizing.
  • Provisional duties remain in place until the CITT finishes its injury inquiry and issues a decision by June 26, 2026.
  • If the CITT finds dumping/subsidizing has caused injury, antidumping and/or countervailing duties will be applied to future imports and importers will have to pay them.
  • The Customs Act (with any needed changes) governs accounting and payment.
  • The CBSA will publish Statements of Reasons within 15 days of these decisions.

Who's affected#

• Importers in Canada who bring in forged grinding media or thermoformed molded fibre tableware from China — they may have to pay provisional duties on current shipments and possibly ongoing duties later.
• Exporters or sellers in China of these specific products.
• Canadian companies that make similar products — the CITT inquiry will look at whether they have been harmed.
• Businesses that buy or use these products in Canada could face higher costs or supply changes if duties are applied.
• The exact tariff codes and product definitions are available on the CBSA’s dumping and subsidy investigations web page.

Why it matters#

• These actions can raise the cost of affected imported goods right away (through provisional duties) and potentially for the long term (if final duties are imposed).
• The CITT inquiry will decide whether Canadian producers were injured and whether permanent duties are needed to protect them.
• Importers need to watch the investigation timelines and be prepared to pay duties or contest the findings.
• The CBSA and CITT decisions can affect prices, supplier choices, and competition for the businesses that deal with these specific products.