U.S. Lowers Canadian Softwood Lumber Duties
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The U.S. Department of Commerce set antidumping and countervailing duty rates on Canadian softwood lumber at 24.75%, down from about 35.16%, according to the National Association of Home Builders. The lower rates take effect after publication in the Federal Register, while a separate 10% tariff means total duties remain 34.75%.

The U.S. Department of Commerce has lowered its antidumping and countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber imports to 24.75%, from about 35.16%, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The final rates, issued October 13, are not yet in force: they take effect after publication in the Federal Register. A separate 10% tariff means the reported combined duties on the lumber total 34.75%.

The new rate comes from Commerce’s seventh administrative review of U.S. antidumping and countervailing duty orders on Canadian softwood lumber. The agency released preliminary findings on April 13 and issued its final rates on October 13, the report said. NAHB provided the rate information cited by Hardware Retailing.

The 24.75% figure covers the two trade-duty measures together. It does not include a separate 10% tariff imposed by the Trump administration on timber and softwood lumber after a Section 232 national security investigation. With that tariff included, the report puts total duties on lumber imports at 34.75%.

The lower rate is a change in the Commerce Department’s duty assessment, not the removal of all charges on Canadian lumber. The final determination has been issued, but its effective date depends on Federal Register publication. The source report does not specify when that publication will occur.

At a glance
updateWhen: Final rates issued October 13, 2026; ef…
The developmentThe Commerce Department issued final rates lowering its antidumping and countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber imports to 24.75%.

Lower Duties, Tariff Still Applies

The reduction lowers one part of the U.S. charges on Canadian lumber, a product used in home construction and other building projects. The duties matter to importers and lumber suppliers because they affect the charges applied to shipments crossing the border. The separate tariff, however, remains part of the reported total, so the change does not bring the combined rate down to 24.75%.

For builders, retailers and consumers, the new assessment could affect costs across the lumber supply chain, but the source material does not quantify any resulting price change or say how quickly one might occur. The reported figures describe duties and tariffs; they do not establish what importers, suppliers or retailers will charge for lumber.

The distinction between the 24.75% trade-duty rate and the 34.75% combined total is important when describing the decision. Commerce has lowered the antidumping and countervailing duties, while the separate 10% tariff continues to add to the overall charges cited in the report.

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Commerce Review Sets New Rates

The duties are part of longstanding U.S. trade orders covering Canadian softwood lumber. Commerce reviews those orders through administrative proceedings, which can result in updated rates. In this case, the seventh set of reviews began last year, according to the report, and preliminary findings were released on April 13 before the final determination on October 13.

The final rates are distinct from the Section 232 tariff. That tariff followed a national security investigation and was imposed separately by the Trump administration, according to Hardware Retailing. The source does not provide further detail on the investigation, the reasoning behind the revised duty calculation, or how the new rate compares with individual company-specific assessments.

“Total duties on lumber imports are 34.75%.”

— Hardware Retailing report

Effective Date and Market Effects

The exact date the lower rates will take effect is not stated. Commerce said the rates will go into effect following publication in the Federal Register, but the source report gives no publication date. It also does not detail the agency’s calculations, the rates for specific exporters, or whether any parties plan to challenge the final determination.

The immediate commercial impact is also unknown. The source provides no data on lumber prices, shipment volumes, importer costs or how companies may respond. While the lower duties change the stated rate, they do not by themselves show whether construction costs or retail prices will fall.

Federal Register Publication Is Next

The next stated milestone is publication of Commerce’s final determination in the Federal Register. The lower antidumping and countervailing duty rates are due to take effect after that publication. Until then, the source material does not establish a precise effective date.

After publication, importers and other affected businesses will be able to apply the final rates according to the determination. Any further developments, including challenges to the decision or changes in the separate tariff, are not described in the report and remain unconfirmed.

Key Questions

What rate did the Commerce Department set?

Commerce issued final antidumping and countervailing duty rates totaling 24.75% on Canadian softwood lumber, down from about 35.16%, according to the NAHB as cited by Hardware Retailing.

When does the lower rate take effect?

It takes effect after publication of the final rates in the Federal Register. The source report does not give a publication date.

Why is the reported combined rate 34.75%?

The 34.75% total includes the 24.75% antidumping and countervailing duties plus a separate 10% tariff imposed after a Section 232 investigation, according to the report.

Does this mean Canadian lumber prices will fall?

That is not established by the available report. It gives the revised duties and tariff total but no price data or estimate of how the decision may affect lumber costs.

Source: rss

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