TL;DR
Get backup power and energy gear delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
The U.S. Department of Commerce finalized antidumping and countervailing duty rates on Canadian softwood lumber imports at 24.75%, down from about 35.16%. The new rates take effect after publication in the Federal Register; a separate 10% tariff means total duties are reported at 34.75%.
The U.S. Department of Commerce has lowered its combined antidumping and countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber to 24.75%, from about 35.16%, following an annual review. The revised rates, issued October 13, will take effect after publication in the Federal Register; a separate 10% tariff means the reported total duties on the imports are 34.75%.
The department’s final determination covers the antidumping and countervailing duty orders on Canadian softwood lumber. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reported the change. The final combined rate is 10.41 percentage points below the prior rate of about 35.16%, based on the figures in the report.
The 24.75% rate does not include a separate 10% tariff on timber and softwood lumber. The report says that tariff was imposed by the Trump administration after a Section 232 national security investigation. With that charge included, total duties on the imports are reported at 34.75%.
The final rates were issued on October 13, 2026, but are not described as effective immediately. They are scheduled to go into effect after publication in the Federal Register. The source does not give a publication date or detail how the revised rate is allocated between the antidumping and countervailing components.
How the Revised Rate Affects Lumber Costs
The lower duty rate changes one part of the cost structure for Canadian softwood lumber entering the U.S. market. Importers, distributors and businesses that use the lumber will be watching the effective date and how the final assessment applies to their shipments. The reported combined rate falls from about 35.16% to 24.75%, while the separate tariff keeps the stated overall duty burden at 34.75%.
For home builders and other purchasers, the decision is relevant because lumber is an input in construction and renovation. The NAHB reported the rate change, but the source does not quantify any expected change in lumber prices, supply or building costs. A reduction in one duty component does not by itself establish that retail prices will fall: market prices can also depend on supply, demand, transportation and other charges.
The distinction between the two measures matters. The annual-review decision revises the antidumping and countervailing duties; the separately imposed 10% tariff remains part of the reported total. Readers should not interpret the lower review rate as elimination of all duties on Canadian lumber.
construction-grade softwood lumber
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Commerce’s Seventh Review Cycle
The rate change comes from the U.S. department’s seventh set of administrative reviews of the softwood lumber antidumping and countervailing duty orders. The agency began that review cycle the previous year and released preliminary findings on April 13, according to the report. Its October 13 announcement set the final rates.
Administrative reviews revisit the duties applied under existing orders. In this case, Commerce’s final combined rate differs from the prior figure reported for Canadian softwood lumber. The review is separate from the Section 232 investigation cited as the basis for the additional 10% tariff. The source provides no further detail about the investigation or the calculation underlying the final review rates.
The timing matters for importers: although Commerce has announced final rates, the report says they take effect only following Federal Register publication. Until that publication occurs, the effective date remains pending in the supplied information.
“Total duties on lumber imports are 34.75%.”
— Hardware Retailing report
Canadian softwood lumber for building
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Effective Date and Rate Details
The Federal Register publication date is not specified, so the effective date of the revised rates remains unknown in the source material. It also does not explain whether publication will include implementation details or any instructions for shipments already in transit or entries made before the new rates take effect.
The report gives the final antidumping and countervailing duties as a combined 24.75%, without breaking out each component or identifying how rates differ among exporters. It also does not state whether the separate 10% tariff is subject to any changes. No forecast is provided for effects on lumber prices, import volumes or construction costs.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Federal Register Publication Sets Timing
The next identified milestone is publication of Commerce’s final rates in the Federal Register. According to the report, that publication will trigger the rates taking effect. Importers and buyers will need to check the published notice for the effective date and any more specific application details.
Until those details are available, the confirmed development is the final reduction in the review-related duties, not a change to the separate 10% tariff. The source does not identify further agency announcements or a schedule for another review.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Key Questions
What duty rate did Commerce set for Canadian softwood lumber?
Commerce set combined antidumping and countervailing duties at 24.75%, down from about 35.16%, according to the NAHB as cited by Hardware Retailing.
Why is the reported total duty 34.75%?
The reported total adds a separate 10% tariff to the 24.75% antidumping and countervailing rate. The source says the tariff followed a Section 232 national security investigation.
When do the lower rates take effect?
They take effect after publication in the Federal Register. The report does not give a publication date, so the precise effective date is not yet known from the supplied information.
Does the rate reduction mean Canadian lumber prices will fall?
That is not established by the report. It gives no price forecast, and the separate tariff remains included in the stated total duties. Lumber prices can reflect factors beyond these duty rates.
Source: rss
Fall Picks
fall essentials
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
