Canada imposes provisional safeguard tariff on imports of wood cabinets and vanities to protect Canadian manufacturers and workers

Ottawa, Ontario - Department of Finance Canada

The Government of Canada is moving forward with actions to protect Canadian industries and strengthen the economy amid a rapidly evolving global trade landscape. As economic security, industrial policy, and international competition continue to shape investment, trade,

and financial decisions around the world, the federal government is moving with speed and ambition to build the strongest economy in the G7.

The Minister of Finance and National Revenue, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, today announced a provisional safeguard measure, in the form of a 25 per cent surtax, on imports of certain wood cabinets and vanities, while the Canadian International Trade Tribunal safeguard inquiry is ongoing. This provisional safeguard measure is intended to address the immediate challenges facing Canadian manufacturers, including the impact of harmful trade diversion resulting from the changing global trade environment. This will also help to stabilize market conditions and support domestic production.

The surtax will take effect on July 31, 2026, and will remain in place for a maximum of 200 days.

Meanwhile, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal’s safeguard inquiry concerning certain wood goods, launched in April 2026 at the government’s request, will determine if increased imports are causing, or threatening to cause, serious injury to Canadian wood manufacturers. The Tribunal is expected to conclude its work by January 15, 2027, and will provide recommendations on appropriate remedies if warranted. If the Tribunal makes no injury finding, the provisional safeguard measure announced today will cease to apply as of the date of the Tribunal’s finding.

In accordance with Canada’s international trade obligations, wood cabinets and vanities manufactured in the United States, Mexico, Israel, Chile, and developing countries will be excluded from the provisional safeguard measure.  

Quotes

“Our government is committed to standing up for Canadian manufacturers and workers in the face of global trade disruptions. This provisional safeguard measure will help ensure that Canada’s wood cabinets and vanities industry can compete on a level playing field, maintain good jobs, and continue contributing to the strength of our economy.”

- The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue

Quick facts

• Under the World Trade Organization Agreement on Safeguards and the Customs Tariff, global safeguard measures may be applied if there is evidence that a product is being imported in such increased quantities, and under such conditions, as to cause or threaten to cause serious injury to domestic producers. 

• In critical circumstances where delay may cause damage that would be difficult to repair, provisional safeguard measures may be applied for up to 200 days pending the final results of an investigation.