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).

Recent news

September 22, 2023: AR5 CVD Preliminary Results Deadline Extended to January 31, 2024

The U.S. Department of Commerce extended its deadline for the preliminary results of the Fifth Administrative Review (AR5) in the countervailing duty (CVD) investigation of imports of certain softwood lumber products from Canada.


September 22, 2023: AR5 - Tolko and J.D. Irving Selected as Voluntary Respondents

The U.S. Department of Commerce selected Tolko and J.D. Irving as voluntary respondents in the Fifth Administrative Review (AR5) in the countervailing duty (CVD) investigation of imports of certain softwood lumber products from Canada.


September 7, 2023: AR4 - Amended Final Results of the AD Case

The U.S. Department of Commerce published amended final results of the AD case for AR4 in the Federal Register; rates are effective August 1, 2023.


July 26, 2023: AR4 - Final Determination

The U.S. Department of Commerce released its final determination for the Fourth Administrative Review (AR4) in the antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations of imports of certain softwood lumber products from Canada. 


March 14, 2023: AR5 - Initiation

The U.S. Department of Commerce initiated the Fifth Administrative Reviews (AR5) of the antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) orders for certain softwood lumber products from Canada.  Each year (unless the case is settled), administrative reviews are conducted to recalculate the countervailing and antidumping duty rates for shipments during the period of review and to establish new cash deposit rates 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.


Rate tables

AR4 - Amended Final Rates
Company

CVD - AR4

AD - AR4
(Amended)
Total - AR4
(Amended)
Canfor 1.36% 5.25% 6.61%
West Fraser 2.19% 7.06% 9.25%
JD Irving 1.72% 6.26% 7.98%
All Others 1.79% 6.26% 8.05%

The above table shows final amended rates for the fourth Administrative Review released by the U.S. Department of Commerce.  These amended cash deposit rates took effect on August 1, 2023, the original Federal Register publication date of the final results

AR3 - Final Rates
Company CVD - AR3 AD - AR3 Total - AR3
Canfor 0.95% 4.92% 5.87%
West Fraser 3.62% 4.63% 8.25%
Resolute 10.1% 4.76% 14.86%
JD Irving 2.41% 11.59% 14.0%
All Others 3.83% 4.76% 8.59%

AR2 - Amended Final Rates

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%

AR1 - Table 2:  Cash Deposit Rate
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%

 

AR1 - Table 1:  Assessment Rate
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%