Softwood Lumber Trade Dispute
British Columbia and the forest industry have been engaged for decades with the United States in ongoing Softwood Lumber trade litigation. The 2006 Softwood Lumber Agreement provided stability and predictability until its expiry on October 12, 2015, triggering the latest round in the lumber dispute.
On this page:
Current state of Softwood Lumber trade with the U.S.
On November 25, 2016, the Committee Overseeing Action for Lumber International Trade Investigations or Negotiations ( “COALITION”) filed a petition with the U.S. Department of Commerce, alleging Canadian lumber is unfairly subsidized and dumped into the U.S. market, launching the “Lumber V” proceedings. B.C. is well prepared to respond to this litigation and will continue to defend B.C.'s interests against these unfounded allegations. B.C. is working alongside the federal government, other Provinces and the forest industry to respond to the ongoing litigation that imposes countervailing duties and anti-dumping duties on Canadian lumber. We also seek recourse through appeals to the US Court of International Trade, the World Trade Organization, and under the Canada/US/Mexico Agreement (formerly NAFTA).
- Additional Lumber V update information may be found on the Government of Canada website
- Learn more about the current litigation
- Learn more about the appeals challenges and decisions
Recent news
April 27, 2022: AR3 - Extended final results
The U.S. Department of Commerce extended its final results of the Third Administrative Review (AR3) in the countervailing duty (CVD) investigation of imports of certain softwood lumber products from Canada. Final results are now expected August 3, 2022.
March 9, 2022: AR4 - Initiation
The U.S. Department of Commerce initiated the Fourth Administrative Review (AR4) of antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations of imports of certain softwood lumber products from Canada. Each year (unless the case is settled), an administrative review is conducted to recalculate the countervailing and antidumping duty rates for shipments during the period of review and to establish a new cash deposit rate for future shipments. A company is subject to the review if there has been a specific request for a review of that company filed by interested parties with the U.S. Department of Commerce.
January 31, 2022: AR3 - Preliminary Determination
The U.S Department of Commerce released its preliminary determination for the Third Administrative Review (AR3) in antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations of imports of certain softwood lumber products from Canada.
These rates (see table below) will only be applicable to companies covered by the Third Administrative Review and will not come into effect until the AR3 final determination later this year, see U.S. Department of Commerce Notice for AD (PDF, 95KB) and CVD (PDF, 814KB) investigations.
January 10, 2022: AR2 - Amended final results of the AR2 CVD case published in the Federal Register
January 6, 2022: AR2 - Adjustment to CVD final determination rates
The U.S. Department of Commerce issued a Memo amending its notice of final results for the Second Administrative Review (AR2) in the countervailing duty (CVD) investigation of imports of certain softwood lumber products from Canada. These amended results will increase the "All Others" CVD rate by 0.01% (resulting in a rate of 6.32%). The amended cash deposit rates will become effective on the date of publication (January 10, 2022) of these amended final results of review in the Federal Register.
November 24, 2021: AR2 - Final Determination
The U.S. Department of Commerce released its final determination for the Second Administrative Review (AR2) in the antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations of imports of certain softwood lumber products from Canada.
- The U.S. Department of Commerce published the final results of the AD and CVD cases for AR2 in the Federal Register, rates are effective December 2, 2021.
- Government of British Columbia Statement
- Government of Canada Statement
- U.S. Department of Commerce Final Determination Memo of AR2 AD investigation (PDF, 504KB)
- U.S. Department of Commerce Final Determination Memo of AR2 CVD investigation (PDF, 4332KB)
- Learn more about the current rates
Rate tables
| Company | CVD - AR3 | AD - AR3 | Total - AR3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canfor | 1.83 | 4.92 | 6.75 |
| West Fraser | 8.46 | 4.63 | 13.09 |
| Resolute | 15.48 | 4.76 | 20.24 |
| JD Irving | 2.33 | 4.76 | 7.09 |
| All Others | 6.88 | 4.76 | 11.64 |
| Company |
CVD - AR2 (Amended) |
AD - AR2 |
Total - AR2 (Amended) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canfor | 2.42% | 17.12% | 19.54% |
| West Fraser | 5.08% | 6.06% | 11.14% |
| Resolute | 18.07% | 11.59% | 29.66% |
| JD Irving | 3.46% | 11.59% | 15.05% |
| All Others | 6.32% | 11.59% | 17.91% |
The above table shows final amended rates for the 2nd Administrative Review released by the US Department of Commerce. These rates took effect January 10, 2022 as published in the Federal Register.
AR2 - Preliminary Rates
| Company | CVD - AR1 Cash Deposit | AD - AR1 Cash Deposit | Total - AR1 Cash Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canfor | 2.63% | 1.99% | 4.62% |
| J.D. Irving | 2.66% | 1.57% | 4.23% |
| Resolute | 19.10% | 1.15% | 20.25% |
| West Fraser | 7.57% | 1.40% | 8.97% |
| All Others | 7.42% | 1.57% | 8.99% |
| Company | CVD - AR1 Assessment | AD - AR1 Assessment | Total - AR1 Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canfor | 2.94% | 1.99% | 4.93% |
| J.D. Irving | 3.43% | 1.57% | 5.00% |
| Resolute | 18.71% | 1.15% | 19.86% |
| West Fraser | 6.76% | 1.40% | 8.16% |
| All Others | 7.26% | 1.57% | 8.83% |
