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
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.
- U.S. Federal Register: Amended Final Results of AR4 AD Case (PDF, 185KB)
- Learn more about the current rates
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.
- Government of British Columbia Statement
- Government of Canada Statement
- U.S. Department of Commerce Final Determination Memo of AR4 AD investigation (PDF, 1314KB)
- U.S. Department of Commerce Final Determination Memo of AR4 CVD investigation (PDF, 1378KB)
- The U.S. Department of Commerce published the final results of the AD and CVD cases for AR4 in the Federal Register; rates are effective August 1, 2023
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
| 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
| 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% |
| 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% |
| 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% |
