Softwood lumber

The softwood lumber industry is an important sector in the Canadian economy, supporting thousands of jobs in communities across Canada and creating many positive spin-off effects in related industries and services. Canada's modern, efficient, environmentally sustainable lumber companies have the potential to serve markets at home and around the world.

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In the United States, where demand for lumber exceeds what domestic mills can supply, housing and other industries rely on Canada for stable, predictable access to quality products. The 2006 Softwood Lumber Agreement (SLA), which provided stability and predictability for industry on both sides of the border, expired on October 12, 2015.

Canada and the United States continue to pursue a negotiated outcome to this important bilateral issue. The Government is also meeting on a regular basis with industry, provinces and territories, and other stakeholders.

Softwood lumber dispute

The Canada-U.S. softwood lumber dispute has become one of the most enduring trade disputes between both nations. Over the past 25 years, the United States lumber industry has frequently sought U.S. government restrictions on Canadian softwood lumber imports through the application of U.S. countervailing duty and antidumping laws – laws that allow the imposition of import duties when a U.S. industry is allegedly harmed by subsidies in the exporting country (countervailing duties), or by dumping, which is when a U.S. industry is allegedly harmed by imported products sold at prices that are lower than the cost of production or lower than prices in the domestic market (anti-dumping duties).

News and recent developments

  • 04-04-2025 – U.S. Department of Commerce announces the preliminary results of its sixth administrative review of the countervailing duty order on imports of certain Canadian softwood lumber products

    On April 4, 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced the preliminary results of its sixth administrative review of the countervailing duty order on imports of certain Canadian softwood lumber products. These preliminary rates do not take effect but may be indicative of the final countervailing duty rates, which are expected to be issued no later than October.

    The preliminary results of the sixth administrative review of the anti-dumping duty order on softwood lumber were previously announced on March 3, 2025. Final anti-dumping duty rates are expected to be announced in August 2025.

    Preliminary Results – Sixth Administrative Reviews (Do Not Take Effect)
    CompanyAnti-dumping Duty RateCountervailing Duty RateCombined Duty Rate
    Canfor Corporation34.61%11.87%46.48%
    West Fraser Mills Ltd.9.48%16.57%26.05%
    Non-Selected Respondents (All Others)20.07%14.38%34.45%
  • 03-03-2025 – United States Department of Commerce announces the preliminary results of its sixth administrative review of the anti-dumping duty order on imports of certain Canadian softwood lumber products

    On March 3, 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced the preliminary results of its sixth administrative review of the anti-dumping duty order on imports of certain Canadian softwood lumber products. These preliminary rates do not take effect but may serve as an indication of the final anti-dumping duty rates, which are expected to be issued in August 2025.

    Due to deadline extensions, the preliminary results the sixth administrative review of the countervailing duty order on softwood lumber are expected no later than May 7.

    Preliminary Results – Sixth administrative reviews (Do not take effect)
    CompanyAnti-dumping Duty RateCountervailing Duty RateCombined Duty Rates
    Canfor Corporation34.61% TBDTBD
    West Fraser Mills Ltd.9.48%TBDTBD
    Non-Selected Respondents (All Others)20.07%TBDTBD
  • 26-09-2024 – Notice of Amended Final Results of the Anti-dumping Duty Fifth Administrative Review issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce

    On September 24, 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce amended the notice of final results for its fifth administrative review of the anti-dumping duty order on softwood lumber products from Canada to correct Ministerial errors in the calculation of West Fraser Mills Ltd.’s anti-dumping rate. This also resulted in a 0.14% decrease to the “all others” rate. This amendment will replace the final anti-dumping cash deposit rate previously published on August 19, 2024.

    Amended final duty rates:

    Fifth Administrative Review Amended Final Results
    CompanyAnti-dumping Duty Rates (2022)Countervailing Duty Rates (2022)Combined Duty Rates (2022)
    Canfor Corporation10.44%6.14%16.58%
    West Fraser Mills Ltd.5.04%6.85%11.89%
    J.D. Irving, Ltd.7.66% (All Others)3.88%11.54%
    Tolko Industries Ltd.7.66% (All Others)9.61%17.27%
    Non-Selected Respondents (All Others)7.66%6.74%14.40%

More news

Monthly Canada-US softwood lumber exports reports

2025

    More softwood lumber historic reports

    Contact us

    Softwood Lumber Division (TNS)
    Global Affairs Canada
    Lester B. Pearson Building
    125 Sussex Drive
    Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G2
    Fax: 613-944-8950
    Email: softwood.boisdoeuvre@international.gc.ca

    For more information

    To learn more about the Canadian softwood lumber industry, and the support available to Canadians, please visit the Natural Resources Canada softwood lumber page.