Costco appeal: Novaform lounge pad

Summary#

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal will hold a public videoconference hearing on February 13, 2025. The hearing is an appeal by Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd. against the President of the Canada Border Services Agency about whether a Novaform Versamat Portable Foam Lounge Pad falls under an earlier finding (inquiry NQ-2022-001) about dumped and subsidized mattresses from the People’s Republic of China under the Special Import Measures Act.

What it does#

• Announces a public hearing (by videoconference) on appeal EA-2024-002 (Notice HA-2024-015).
• Sets the hearing date: February 13, 2025.
• States the central question: whether the Novaform lounge pad is "of the same description" as the goods covered by the Tribunal’s finding in inquiry NQ-2022-001, which dealt with dumping and subsidizing of certain mattresses from the People’s Republic of China.
• Gives registration instructions: interested people should contact the Tribunal at 613‑993‑3595 or at citt-tcce@tribunal.gc.ca at least two business days before the hearing to register and get more information.

Who's affected#

• Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd. (the appellant) and the President of the Canada Border Services Agency (the respondent).
• Importers, retailers, and distributors that buy or sell the Novaform Versamat Portable Foam Lounge Pad or similar foam/mattress products.
• Makers of mattresses and related products in Canada, and consumers who buy these items.
• It is not clear from the notice who else might be directly involved; other parties could participate if they register.

Why it matters#

• If the Tribunal decides the lounge pad is covered by the earlier finding, it could be treated the same way as the mattresses that were found to be dumped or subsidized. That may affect how the product is imported and sold, and could lead to additional duties or enforcement steps by border authorities.
• For importers and retailers, that could change costs, supply choices, or product availability. For consumers, it could affect price or what products are on store shelves.
• The hearing is public, so interested parties can register to watch or participate.