Canada Removes Retaliatory Import Tariffs on Many US Products

Further to our previous communication, the Canadian government formally announced on August 29, 2025, that it will remove retaliatory counter tariffs (duties) on many US products. This change applies to shipments that are customs released on or after September 1, 2025.  

This measure covers over $44 billion in annual imports from the US that have been subject to counter tariffs since March 2025. This decision aims to better align with the US position on Canadian imports that receive similar treatment.  

Canadian importers should take note of the following: 

• A full list of products that remain subject to counter tariffs is available here. Remaining products subject to US counter tariffs are largely vehicles, articles of iron, steel and/or aluminium. 

• Despite a previous comment from the Prime Minister suggesting that only goods qualifying under the Canada-US-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) would be exempt from the 25% surtax, the CBSA has just now confirmed that the surtax is removed for all US goods (except for steel, aluminium, and automobiles) whether they qualify for CUSMA or not. 

• CBSA stated that “The amending order repeals the broad US surtax (2025-1) and narrows the measures to sector-specific orders only. That means, as of the retroactive dates, only steel, aluminium, copper, and certain motor vehicles remain subject to a 25% surtax. It does not impose a general surtax on all US goods, nor does it create a blanket CUSMA-based exception.” 

Imports outside those specific sectors will revert to normal Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariff treatment under the Customs Tariff. The formal Canadian government Order-In Council (OIC) amending the US counter tariffs can be found here.

Updated Customs Notices have been issued by the CBSA and can be found here: 

• Customs Notice 25-10: United States Surtax Order (2025-1) 

• Customs Notice 25-11: United States Surtax Order (Steel and Aluminum 2025) 

• ⁠Customs Notice 25-15 : United States Surtax Remission Order (Motor Vehicles 2025) 

 

Delmar Support 

Our Customs Advisory and Consulting experts remain available to assist with important questions regarding the topic at hand. Delmar will continue to provide pertinent updates as they become available.  
 
For additional information and assistance, please contact your local Delmar Representative.