Provisional Duties on Molded Fibre Tableware

Summary#

On February 27, 2026, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) made preliminary findings that thermoformed molded fibre tableware imported from China is being dumped and subsidized under the Special Import Measures Act. As a result, provisional duties can be charged on those imports while the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) holds a full inquiry into whether Canadian industry has been injured.

What it does#

• The Canada Border Services Agency has made preliminary determinations of both dumping and subsidizing for thermoformed molded fibre tableware from China (decision dated February 27, 2026).
• The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) will conduct a full inquiry into injury and must issue an order or a finding no later than 120 days after it gets the notice of the CBSA’s preliminary determinations.
• Provisional duties are payable on subject goods released from CBSA during the period beginning February 27, 2026 and ending on whichever comes first:
  • the investigations are terminated,
  • the CITT makes an order or finding, or
  • an undertaking is accepted.
• The provisional duties charged will not exceed the estimated margin of dumping plus the estimated amount of subsidy. The notice does not list specific dollar amounts or duty rates.
• The Customs Act governs how provisional duties must be accounted for and paid; failure to pay on time can trigger interest under that Act.
• The CBSA will publish a Statement of Reasons within 15 days after the decisions.

Who's affected#

• Importers and customs brokers who bring thermoformed molded fibre tableware into Canada from China.
• Canadian manufacturers and producers of similar tableware who brought the complaint or who may benefit from import relief.
• Distributors, retailers, restaurants, and others who buy and sell this type of tableware — they may face higher costs or supply disruptions while duties are in place.
• The notice does not give duty amounts or exact product codes here; the CBSA’s investigation page contains the full product definition and possible tariff classifications.

Why it matters#

• If provisional duties are applied, importers will face immediate extra costs on affected shipments. That can increase prices or change buying decisions for businesses that use this tableware.
• The CITT’s upcoming injury inquiry will decide whether duties become permanent. That decision can affect the competitiveness of Canadian manufacturers and the availability and price of these products in Canada.
• Because no specific duty rates were given in the notice, affected parties will need to watch CBSA updates and the CITT process to know the final financial impact.