U.S. Lowers Canadian Softwood Lumber Duties
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The U.S. Department of Commerce set Canadian softwood lumber antidumping and countervailing duties at a combined 24.75%, down from about 35.16%, after its annual review. The new rates take effect after publication in the Federal Register; a separate 10% tariff means total duties remain 34.75%.

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

The new rates follow Commerce’s annual administrative review of U.S. duties on Canadian softwood lumber. The agency began its seventh set of reviews of the existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders last year and published preliminary findings on April 13, according to Hardware Retailing’s report.

On Oct. 13, 2026, Commerce issued its final antidumping and countervailing duty rates, which together total 24.75%. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reported the reduction from the prior combined rate of about 35.16%. The new rate applies after the final determination is published in the Federal Register; the source report did not give a publication date.

The 24.75% figure does not include a separate 10% tariff on timber and softwood lumber. The report says the Trump administration imposed that tariff after a Section 232 national security investigation. With that charge included, total duties on lumber imports are reported at 34.75%.

At a glance
updateWhen: Final rates issued October 13, 2026; ef…
The developmentCommerce issued final rates lowering combined antidumping and countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber imports from about 35.16% to 24.75%.

How the Lower Rate Affects Import Costs

The reduction lowers one part of the duties applied to Canadian lumber entering the United States, a change that may affect import costs for companies buying or selling the material. But the final combined rate should not be mistaken for the full charge: the separate tariff brings the reported total to 34.75%, rather than 24.75%.

For home builders, retailers and lumber importers, the distinction matters when estimating costs and interpreting the review’s outcome. The NAHB is the source cited for the revised rates, but the supplied report does not quantify how the change could affect lumber prices, building costs or consumers. Those impacts will depend on how the charges apply to individual imports and on market conditions.

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Commerce’s Seventh Review Cycle

The U.S. duty orders cover Canadian softwood lumber imports and include two separate trade measures: antidumping duties and countervailing duties. The former address imports that authorities determine are sold at less than fair value; the latter address government subsidies. The reported 24.75% is the combined final rate for those measures, not the total of every charge identified in the report.

Commerce’s current review is the seventh set of administrative reviews since the orders were established. The agency released preliminary findings on April 13 before issuing final rates on Oct. 13. Separately, the Section 232 tariff followed a national security investigation, so it is distinct from the rates adjusted through this annual review.

“The rates will go into effect following publication in the Federal Register.”

— Hardware Retailing report

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Publication Date and Market Effects

The final rates have been issued, but the source report does not say when they will appear in the Federal Register. Until publication, the reported effective date remains pending. The supplied information also does not detail how the combined rate is distributed between antidumping and countervailing duties or whether the final determination includes company-specific rates or exceptions.

It is also unclear what effect the lower rates will have on actual import costs or lumber prices. The separate 10% tariff remains part of the reported total, and the source provides no price forecasts, import-volume figures or estimates of savings for builders and consumers. No response from Canadian officials or lumber producers is included in the report.

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Federal Register Publication Sets Start

The next stated step is publication of Commerce’s final rates in the Federal Register. According to the report, the revised 24.75% antidumping and countervailing duties take effect after that publication. A publication date was not available in the supplied material.

Once the rates are published, importers and buyers can assess the applicable charges alongside the separate 10% tariff. The current report does not identify a further review date, appeal or other agency action, so those developments should not be assumed.

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Key Questions

What duties did the U.S. lower?

Commerce lowered the combined antidumping and countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber from about 35.16% to 24.75%.

Are the new rates in effect now?

Not according to the report. They take effect after publication in the Federal Register; the publication date was not specified.

Why is the reported total still 34.75%?

The 24.75% combined duty rate is separate from a reported 10% tariff on timber and softwood lumber. Adding that tariff brings the reported total to 34.75%.

When did Commerce issue the final rates?

Commerce issued the final rates on Oct. 13, 2026, following preliminary findings released April 13.

Will the lower duties reduce lumber prices?

The source report does not estimate effects on lumber prices or building costs. The rate reduction changes one component of import duties, while the separate 10% tariff remains in the reported total.

Source: rss

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