Is Canada's Softwood Lumber Industry Facing A Cold Blow From The South?

Softwood Lumber Importers To The United States May Be About To Find Out!

The U.S. Lumber Coalition has filed petitions with the International Trade Administration for Anti-dumping (AD) and Countervailing (CV) relief on importations of multiple softwood lumber products originating in Canada.This article is in response to this advisement just released by USITC: The petitioners allege critical circumstances, requesting that AD and CV duties be applied imminently. If critical circumstance is approved, "CV duties could be applicable to entries filed as early as December 15, 2016, and AD duties could appear as early as February 3, 2017." Initial review indicates an alleged AD margin of 52.89%, while there are few specifics as to the countervailing rates. We will continue to keep you posted as more is known. The scope of the AD Duty and CV Duty cases are dispositive. The potential Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) headings and subheadings are provided for convenience only. Language of the scope as presented is detailed here:

Petition Coverage

The merchandise covered by these petitions is softwood lumber, siding, flooring and certain other coniferous wood (softwood lumber products). The scope includes:

• Coniferous wood, sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or not planed, whether or not sanded, or whether or not finger-jointed, of an actual thickness exceeding six millimeters. Coniferous wood siding, flooring and other coniferous wood (other than moldings and dowel rods), including strips and friezes for parquet flooring, that is continuously shaped (including, but not limited to, tongued, grooved, rebated, chamfered, V-jointed, beaded, molded, rounded) along any of its edges, ends or faces, whether or not planed, whether or not sanded, or whether or not end-jointed.
• Coniferous drilled and notched lumber and angle cut lumber.
• Coniferous lumber stacked on edge and fastened together with nails, whether or not with plywood sheathing.
• Components or parts of semi-finished or unassembled finished products made from subject merchandise that would otherwise meet the definition of the scope above within the scope of these investigations.

Softwood lumber product imports are generally entered under Chapter 44 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). Softwood lumber products that are subject to these petitions are currently classifiable under the following ten-digit HTSUS subheadings in Chapter 44: [Please see attached for detailed list of 47 specifically-included ten-digit HTSUS provisions]. Subject merchandise may also be classified as stringers, square cut box-spring frame components, fence pickets, truss components, pallet components, and door and window frame parts under the following ten-digit HTSUS subheadings in Chapter 44: 4415.20.40.00; 4415.20.80.00; 4418.90.46.05; 4418.90.46.20; 4418.90.46.40; 4418.90.46.95; 4421.90.70.40; 4421.90.94.00; and 4421.90.97.80. Although these HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope of the investigation is dispositive.

How U.S. Customs Determines Your Import Compliance Through Reasonable Care

We Are Here For YOU

In addition to the AD and CV duties, there are likely to be additional requirements from the surety company who provides your Continuous Transaction Bond with Customs. It is imperative that you remain aware of your requirements proactively. Should you prefer to communicate directly, our Trade Compliance Group is well-versed in AD and CV processes and ready to answer your questions or help to address your concerns. You can reach us 24/7 Toll Free: 877.332.8534 for all entry processing requests.