Investigation: Plywood Imports from China

Summary#

On April 10, 2026, the Canada Border Services Agency opened formal investigations under the Special Import Measures Act into alleged injurious dumping and subsidizing of decorative and other non-structural plywood imported from the People’s Republic of China. The agency will publish a Statement of Reasons within 15 days after the decision.

What it does#

• Starts a CBSA fact-finding process to see whether imports of decorative and other non-structural plywood from the People’s Republic of China were dumped (sold too cheaply) or subsidized.
• Notes that the full product definition and the relevant tariff classification numbers are listed on the CBSA website’s investigation pages.
• Signals that the CBSA will issue a Statement of Reasons within 15 days explaining why the investigation was opened.
• If the CBSA later finds dumping or subsidizing and the Canadian International Trade Tribunal finds injury, the process can lead to provisional or final duties. This is a potential outcome, not a certainty.

Who's affected#

• Importers and exporters who trade in decorative and other non-structural plywood to or from the People’s Republic of China.
• Canadian producers who make similar plywood and compete with those imports.
• Canadian businesses that buy this product (for example, wholesalers, manufacturers, retailers, builders) — they may face uncertainty about prices or supply.
• Others directly affected are not named in the notice; full tariff and product details are on the CBSA site if you need to check whether a specific product is covered.

Why it matters#

• Investigations like this can lead to anti-dumping or countervailing duties that make imported plywood more expensive. That can protect some Canadian producers but raise costs for buyers.
• Importers and users of the plywood may see supply or price changes while the case runs.
• The Statement of Reasons (available soon) will explain the CBSA’s initial findings and help companies decide whether to respond or prepare for possible duties.