Effective June 27, 2025, certain steel goods imported into Canada are subject to a surtax in the amount of 50% of the value for duty in accordance with the Order Imposing a Surtax on the Importation of Certain Steel Goods due to restrictive trade measures taken by the United States.
The Order, imposes temporary trade measures in the form of separate tariff rate quotas (TRQ) for one year on imports of flat, long, pipe and tube, semi-finished, and stainless steel products from non-free trade agreement countries. Imports above these volumes will be subject to a surtax in the amount of 50% of the Value for Duty in accordance with the Order. The new tax does not supersede previous tariffs.
To avoid unexpected costs, a shipment-specific import permit issued by Global Affairs Canada is mandatory for imports of steel goods to not be subject to the surtax set out in the Surtax Order.
A valid shipment-specific permit must be presented to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), at the time of release. In the absence of a shipment-specific permit, an importer must invoke the appropriate General Import Permit, and those goods will be subject to the surtax.
Permits will be valid 5 days prior and 14 days after the date of arrival specified by the importer. Requests for shipment-specific permits will be accepted up to 15 days prior to the expected date of arrival of the shipment into Canada.
It is critical for importers to specify the Country of Melt and Pour (COM) of the imported goods in the form and manner determined by the CBSA. NOTE: the importer’s name on the permit must match the name of the importer on the Commercial Accounting Declaration (CAD) and related documents at the time of release are to include the correct quantity (in kilograms) and final accounting.
Importers must have an active Export and Imports Permits Act (EIPA) registration number issued by Global Affairs Canada (GAC), to obtain import permits. It is a unique identifier linked to the importer. You may apply for an EIPA number by filling out the EIPA number application form and submitting it to NEICS-NSCEI@international.gc.ca.
GAC provides real-time quota utilization reports (time managed intervals), and it is the importer’s responsibility to monitor these closely to avoid unintentional overages.
Note that goods in transit to Canada before June 27, 2025, or originating from countries listed in Schedule 2 of the Order, are exempt from the surtax. However, documentation proving in-transit status or country of origin must be retained and presented upon request.
We encourage all importers to review their sourcing strategies, monitor quota usage proactively, and ensure all documentation is accurate and up to date. Non-compliance may result in penalties, interest, and additional duties.
The new tariffs do not supersede any previously tariffs pertinent to these products, and all applicable tariffs must be applied (stackable).
Important Links
Notice to importers: Item 82 – Steel goods – Serial No. 1139
Customs Notice 25-24: Order Imposing a Surtax on the Importation of Certain Steel Goods