Preliminary dumping finding for rebar imports

Summary#

The Canada Border Services Agency made a preliminary finding on September 13, 2024 that certain concrete reinforcing bar imported from Bulgaria, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates may be dumped (sold in Canada at unfairly low prices). That finding triggers provisional duties on affected shipments and starts a formal injury inquiry by the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT).

What it does#

• Announces a preliminary determination of dumping under the Special Import Measures Act for certain concrete reinforcing bar from the three named countries.
• Says provisional duties are payable on subject goods released from CBSA custody starting September 13, 2024 and continuing until the investigation ends, the CITT issues a final order or finding, or an undertaking is accepted.
• States provisional duties will not be greater than the estimated margin of dumping.
• Notes the Customs Act governs how provisional duties are accounted for and paid; unpaid amounts may incur interest under that Act.
• The CITT will hold a full inquiry into whether Canadian industry is injured and will issue a decision no later than 120 days after it receives notice of the preliminary dumping finding.
• A Statement of Reasons for the preliminary decision will be issued and posted on the CBSA’s website within 15 days.

Who's affected#

• Importers and customs brokers who bring concrete reinforcing bar from Bulgaria, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates into Canada.
• Canadian manufacturers and sellers of reinforcing bar, who are parties to the injury inquiry.
• Construction firms, infrastructure projects and other buyers of rebar in Canada if duties raise import costs.
• It is unclear from the notice which specific product models or some tariff lines are definitely covered, because the listed tariff classifications include both subject and non-subject goods. Importers should check whether their shipments fall within the affected classifications.

Why it matters#

• Importers may have to pay extra money up front for affected shipments while the case is decided — up to the estimated dumping margin.
• If the CITT later finds dumping and injury, longer-term anti-dumping duties could be imposed, which can raise prices for construction materials.
• The provisional measures are temporary but can affect cash flow, bids on projects, and supply decisions for companies that rely on imported rebar.
• The decision is preliminary, not final; the full inquiry will determine whether duties remain in place.