Provisional Duties on Thermal Paper Rolls

Summary#

On September 10, 2025, the Canada Border Services Agency issued preliminary findings that thermal paper rolls from China were dumped and subsidized under the Special Import Measures Act. The Canadian International Trade Tribunal will now hold a full inquiry, and provisional duties apply to imports while that inquiry proceeds.

What it does#

• Announces preliminary determinations of dumping and subsidizing for thermal paper rolls from China.
• Starts a full inquiry by the Canadian International Trade Tribunal, which must make an order or find no injury within 120 days after it receives notice of the CBSA’s preliminary decisions.
• Imposes provisional duties on the subject goods released from the CBSA starting September 10, 2025, until the earlier of: the investigations ending, the Tribunal making its order or finding, or an accepted undertaking.
• Caps provisional duties at no more than the estimated dumping margin plus the estimated subsidy.
• Clarifies that the Customs Act rules apply for accounting and payment of those duties; late payment may trigger interest under the Customs Act.
• Promises a written Statement of Reasons within 15 days of the decisions and points readers to the CBSA website for the full product definition and tariff numbers.

Who's affected#

• Importers and customs brokers bringing thermal paper rolls from China into Canada.
• Businesses that buy and use thermal paper rolls, such as retailers, restaurants, gas stations, and other services that print receipts.
• Canadian manufacturers of thermal paper rolls (they may be the complainants or could benefit if duties reduce unfair imports).
• It is unclear from this notice exactly which tariff classifications will apply; the CBSA web page has the detailed product definition and codes.

Why it matters#

• Provisional duties can increase the upfront cost and cash-flow needs for importers when shipments are released by the CBSA.
• Higher import costs could flow through to businesses that use thermal paper and, ultimately, to consumers.
• The inquiry could lead to final duties that protect Canadian producers if the Tribunal finds injury.
• The process is time-limited: provisional duties started on September 10, 2025, and a formal decision from the Tribunal is expected within the statutory timelines noted above.