Supporting Canadian exporters through United States tariff challenges

The Trade Commissioner Service (TCS), alongside our partners, is working to help Canadian businesses navigate disruptions caused by the various tariffs imposed by the United States (U.S.).

• International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs on Canadian goods: On March 4, 2025, the U.S. imposed tariffs of 25% on goods imported from Canada, and 10% on energy products since amended to include potash. As of March 7, 2025, a tariff exemption applies for Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA)-compliant goods (i.e., goods that qualify for preferential duty-free treatment under the agreement) subject to these tariffs. On August 1, 2025, this 25% tariff increased to 35%. The tariff rate on energy products and potash remains 10%.
• Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum: On March 12, 2025, the U.S. imposed a global 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports, including from Canada. On June 4, 2025, the U.S. increased its tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 50% and expanded the scope to include additional derivative products. On August 18, the U.S. further expanded the scope of its tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to include additional derivative products. For steel and aluminum derivative products, the 50% tariff applies only to the value of the steel and aluminum content. 
• Section 232 tariffs on automobiles and parts: On April 3, 2025, the U.S. imposed a global 25% tariff on imports of automobiles and light trucks, including from Canada. The value of U.S. content in CUSMA compliant vehicles is exempt from Section 232 tariffs (subject to the approval of the Secretary of Commerce on a model-by-model basis). On May 3, 2025, the U.S. imposed tariffs of 25% on non-CUSMA compliant auto parts.
• Section 232 tariffs on copper: On August 1, 2025, the U.S. imposed a global tariff of 50% on imports of semi-finished copper products and derivatives, including from Canada. The 50% tariff applies only to the value of the copper content in these products.
• Section 232 tariffs on certain wood products: On October 14, 2025, the U.S. imposed a global tariff of 10% on softwood timber (logs) and lumber, a global tariff of 25% on certain upholstered furniture and a global tariff of 25% on kitchen cabinets and vanities. On January 1, 2026, the tariff on certain upholstered furniture will increase to 30% and the tariff on kitchen cabinets and vanities will increase to 50%.

Find more information about Canada's response to the U.S. tariffs:

• Canada's response to U.S. tariffs
• Complete list of U.S. products subject to counter tariffs
• Support for Canadian businesses and workers
• Canada's engagement with the U.S.

On August 29, 2025, the U.S. suspended the duty-free de minimis exception from duties and taxes for commercial shipments valued at US$800 or less.  

Commercial shipments to the U.S. under US$800 are no longer duty-free. These shipments will now be subject to:

• most-favoured nation (MFN) duties
• IEEPA tariffs

Certain goods may also be subject to:

• sectoral tariffs imposed on imports under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, including:
  • 50% on steel and aluminum, and their derivative products
  • 25% on automobiles and auto parts
  • 50% on copper, and their derivative products
  • 10% on softwood timber (logs) and lumber
  • 25% on certain upholstered furniture, increasing to 30% on January 1, 2026
  • 25% on kitchen cabinets and vanities, increasing to 50% on January 1, 2026

What this means for you: Canadian exporters shipping small-value goods to the U.S. may be required to pay duties on shipments that were previously exempt, unless they are CUSMA-compliant. Goods shipped via the postal network will be required to pay tariffs regardless of CUSMA-compliance status.

For shipments subject to IEEPA tariffs, the IEEPA tariff amount will depend on the effective tariff rate set under the IEEPA and the country of origin of the imported product. For shipments where Canada is the country of origin, the effective IEEPA tariff rate is 35% (10% for energy and potash).

Note: The country of origin of your good is not necessarily the same as the country where you are shipping the good from.

Commercial shipments from Canada that previously entered the U.S. duty-free under de minimis exception may not be subject to the IEEPA tariffs if the goods are certified as CUSMA-compliant. Note, however, that transportation carriers delivering shipments to the United States through the international postal network are required to collect and remit duties to CBP at the time of importation regardless of CUSMA-compliance status. For example, any goods shipped from Canada to the U.S. using Canada Post are subject to the IEEPA tariffs and these duties must be prepaid before the goods cross the border. For more information on shipments to the U.S. via Canada Post, please see related resources below.

• Canada Post: Ship to the U.S.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection:
  • Factsheet suspension of duty-free de minimis treatment
  • E-commerce frequently asked questions

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting businesses and workers impacted by U.S tariffs. On April 16, the Government implemented the United States Surtax Remission Order (2025), which provides temporary 6-month relief from tariffs on imports of U.S. goods that are used in Canadian manufacturing, processing and food and beverage packaging, and for those used to support public health, health care, public safety, and national security objectives.

Companies that are not eligible for remission under the temporary 6-month remission order, or that are seeking longer term relief, may file a remission request directly with the Department of Finance: Process for requesting remission of tariffs that apply on certain goods from the U.S. - Canada.ca

The Government has also implemented a performance-based remission framework for Canadian motor vehicle companies: Customs Notice 25-17 : United States Surtax Remission Order (Motor Vehicles 2025)

Canada Revenue Agency: Tax relief and support for businesses in response to tariffs

If your business is affected by the U.S. tariffs, explore available resources to navigate the situation.

We can help you navigate tariffs by:

• understanding how your business is affected
• identifying potential new markets
• connecting you with the right contacts to help problem solve
• finding potential partners and opportunities in new markets

Self-serve resources for problem solving in relation to U.S. imposed tariffs: Get answers to frequently asked questions regarding the tariffs. Check back regularly for more frequently asked questions.

Diversify your exports with the Trade Commissioner Service: Find new export markets with our support. Get access to funding and tailored support programs to help you diversify your exports.

Expanding globally is easier with the right support. Explore resources, programs, and expertise from our partners.

• Export from Canada: Support from the Government of Canada to sell your products and services abroad, support services, financing, permits, and more.
• Business Benefits Finder: Tool by the Government of Canada to find programs and services to help your business startup, scale up, and go global.  
• Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC): Financing, advisory solutions and capital to small- and medium-sized business in all industries and at all stages of growth.  
  • Small business loan: Apply online for up to $100,000
• Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC): Support to help you pursue sales to foreign governments at all levels and provides a government-to-government contracting mechanism that de-risks the transaction for both you and your buyer.
• Find global bid opportunities: Search over 40 tender sources to expand into new international markets.
• Export Development Canada: Canada’s export credit agency. It helps Canadian companies of all sizes navigate, manage, and take on risk, allowing them to grow and succeed in global markets. 
  • EDC deploys $5 billion to help exporters
  • U.S. market intelligence from EDC
• Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada (ISED): Support to help you find and take advantage of the government services you need to expand or scale up your business in Canada and around the world. 
  • Canadian Importers Database: Summary reports and lists of companies importing goods into Canada.
  • Trade data online: Customized reports on Canada and U.S. trade in goods with over 200 countries.
  • Canadian Industry Statistics: Empowers businesses with reliable, up-to-date data on key economic indicators.
  • Financial Performance Data: Helps businesses determine how they measure up to their competitors.
• Invest in Canada: Canada’s investment promotion agency. It helps global businesses expand into Canada by connecting them with resources and programs. 
• Importing Commercial Goods into Canada: Customs and Border Services Agency’s (CBSA) guide to importing.
• Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP): Support for small businesses to get loans from financial institutions by sharing the risk with lenders.
• Forum for International Trade Training (FITT): Non-profit organization providing online international business training, resources and professional certification to individuals and businesses. Discover the following courses focused on export diversification: 
  • International Market Entry Strategies
  • Global Value Chain
  • Products and Services for a Global Market
  • International Trade Finance
• Canadian Chamber of Commerce
  • Canadian Chamber of Commerce Business Data lab: Tools to provide insights on Canadian business conditions and trends. 
  • Business conditions terminal: Dashboard on Canadian trade.
• Navigating U.S. Tariffs: Support for Canadian SMEs: Resources and expert guidance to help your business navigate the new U.S. tariffs and remain competitive.
  • Read the guide: Weathering the Storm - A Canadian SME Playbook for Navigating US-Canada Tariffs - This is not just theory, it's your survival guide. 

Get tailored support and resources:

• Farm Credit Canada (FCC): Provides customized capital and equity solutions to support the growth and resilience of Canada’s agriculture and food industry.
• Trade Disruption Customer Support program (Farm Credit Canada): FCC is providing $1 billion in new loans. Defer principal payments on existing loans and get support with term loans.
• Support for Canadian agriculture and agri-food industries impacted by trade disruptions: Programs to help you manage financial challenges and market disruptions caused by new tariffs imposed by other governments.  
• Agriculture and agri-food trade between Canada and the United States: Key resources and information for the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector regarding the bilateral trade situation.
• Forest sector funding programs: Federal funding programs supported by the Canadian Forest Service help diversify forest products, markets and processes to support the competitiveness of Canada’s forest sector.

Access tariff support tailored to your province. Some provinces and territories have not released any tariff support programs at this time.

• Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI)
• Strategic Response Fund (SRF)

• Alberta Export Expansion Program

• Tariffs and Customs Advisory Program for Businesses in New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island 2025-2026 (fees apply)

• B.C.'s response to unjustified U.S. tariffs
• CUSMA Compliance Advisory Services Initiative (CCASI)

• Tariffs - Manitoba's response

• Support for businesses

• Statement from the Premier in Response to U.S. Tariffs

• Tariff response - Nova Scotia's response to U.S. tariffs
• Statement on U.S. Tariffs

• Protect Ontario Financing Program
• Ontario Taking Action to Protect Workers Amid Economic Uncertainty
• Ontario Returning Over $2.5 Billion to Workers and Businesses Through Fee Reductions and WSIB Rebates

• Tariff Response Plan
• PEI Tariff Response
• Export Enhancement and Diversification Fund

• Mesures de soutien aux entreprises québécoises affectées par l'imposition de tarifs douaniers américains (in French only)
• Commerce International Québec lance Opération prospérité Québec pour soutenir les PME exportatrices - Commerce International Québec (in French only)

• Trading Places for Saskatchewan Exporters « Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership (STEP)

• U.S. tariff response

• Doing Business in the United States: General guidance for Canadian businesses already active in the U.S. market.

Explore tools to find tariff and duty information for Canadian exporters.

• Tariff information by country and Harmonized System (HS) codes: Tariff information and applicable HS codes for your product.
• Canada Tariff Finder: Tariff information for your products in countries where Canada has a free trade agreement. (Updates to the tool are coming soon.)
• Tariffs, rules, and regulations: Information on tariffs, trade sanctions, and regulatory controls for Canadian businesses.
• Rules of Origin Facilitator: Information on tariffs, trade agreements, and rules of origin.
• Exporting commercial goods: Information on the obligations, guidelines and procedures for reporting goods to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

International Trade Statistics: Statistics Canada's data, tools, and reports to provide you with the latest information on Canada's international trade and investment activity.

Focus on Canada and the United States: Data and insights on Canada's trade and investment activities with the U.S.

For general enquiries, please use the contact a Trade Commissioner form.

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