What the Case Is
On August 31, 2026, the Canada Border Services Agency started investigations under the Special Import Measures Act into the alleged dumping and subsidizing of truck and bus tires originating in or exported from China. The complainants are the Canadian Retread Manufacturers Association (CRMA) and Michelin North America (Canada) Inc. The CBSA puts the Canadian truck and bus tire market at about $1.2 billion a year, and estimates that Chinese tires held between 40% and 51% of it from 2022 to 2025, and 49% in the first quarter of 2026.
The Canadian International Trade Tribunal opened its preliminary injury inquiry (PI-2026-005) in early September. Its decision on whether there is a reasonable indication of injury is due October 30, 2026.
Which Tires Are Covered
The CBSA's definition: pneumatic tires, of rubber, suitable for use on trucks, buses, trailers and other medium and heavy vehicles, with a nominal rim diameter of 17.5, 19.5, 22.5 or 24.5 inches (or the metric equivalent), new or retreaded, tube-type or tubeless, radial or non-radial, whatever the width, aspect ratio, load index, load range or ply rating, and whether or not mounted on wheels or rims when imported, originating in or exported from China.
Not covered: passenger and light truck tires, motorcycle tires, off-the-road tires, used casings not yet retreaded, replacement tread rubber, and tires imported already installed on a vehicle.
The CBSA lists tariff classification numbers 4011.20.00.13, 4011.20.00.19 and 4012.12.00.00 for reference. The classification isn't the test; the product definition is.
How a Dumping and Subsidy Case Works
Canada's Special Import Measures Act (SIMA) lets Canadian producers complain that imports are being dumped (sold to Canada below their normal price at home) or subsidized by a foreign government, and that this is hurting them. Two agencies then work in parallel:
- The CBSA investigates whether the goods are dumped or subsidized, and by how much
- The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) decides whether the imports are injuring Canadian producers
The case moves through fixed stages. Within 60 days of the start, the CITT decides whether there is a "reasonable indication" of injury. Within 90 days (135 if extended), the CBSA makes preliminary determinations. From that day, provisional duties can be charged on subject tires released from customs. The CBSA then has 90 days to make final determinations, and the CITT holds a full injury inquiry, with a finding due within 120 days of the preliminary determinations. If both find against the imports, anti-dumping and countervailing duties stay in place, normally for five years before a review.
Provisional duty is a deposit based on the CBSA's preliminary estimates. It can't exceed the estimated margin of dumping or amount of subsidy, and it's adjusted when the final decision comes.
Two Dates, Two Different Meanings
- October 30: the CITT's preliminary injury decision. If the Tribunal finds no reasonable indication of injury, the case ends. If it does, the CBSA keeps investigating. Either way, no duty is charged on October 30
- November 30: the CBSA's preliminary determinations. If the CBSA finds dumping or subsidizing, provisional duties can be charged on subject tires released from customs from that day, and the CITT begins its full injury inquiry
This article will be updated once the Tribunal publishes its October 30 decision.
What Fleets, Dealers and Importers Should Do Now
- Check origin and the exporter on every tire line you buy. The case covers tires originating in or exported from China
- Check the scope: rim diameter and vehicle type decide it. A 22.5-inch drive tire is in; a light-truck tire isn't
- Look at orders due in November and December. Tires released from customs on or after November 30 could carry provisional duty; tires released before it won't
- Model the landed cost with the CBSA's initiation estimates as a budgeting scenario, without treating them as the rate
- Keep purchase and shipping records for the period, in case your supplier's rate is reviewed
- Respond if the CBSA wrote to you. The CBSA sent its Importer Request for Information to 192 potential importers; written submissions are due January 11, 2027
What Not to Assume
- That October 30 ends the case. It's the first of several decisions
- That November 30 sets a final rate. Provisional duty is a deposit based on preliminary estimates. Final determinations follow within 90 days, and the CITT's injury finding within 120 days
- That stocking up is automatically the answer. Goods released before November 30 avoid provisional duty, but if the CITT later finds massive importations caused injury, duty can reach back to tires released in the 90 days before the preliminary determination
- That tires from other countries are affected. This case is about China only
How Garden City Helps
Provisional duties are assessed on the import declaration, so your customs broker needs to know which tires are subject goods and which exporter supplied them. Garden City Customs Services Inc. clears commercial imports at any port of entry in Canada, and we can review your tire lines against the CBSA definition before the November 30 date. Contact our team or call 888-481-2048.
Frequently asked questions
What is a provisional duty?
A deposit charged on subject goods from the date of the CBSA's preliminary determination until final decisions are made. It can't exceed the CBSA's estimated margin of dumping or amount of subsidy, and it's adjusted or refunded when the final rates are set.
Does this affect tires from countries other than China?
No. The investigations cover truck and bus tires originating in or exported from China only.
Should I stock up before November 30?
Tires released from customs before the CBSA's preliminary determination aren't subject to provisional duty. But if the CITT later finds that massive importations caused injury, duty can be applied retroactively to goods released in the 90 days before the preliminary determination. Weigh that risk before bringing in unusually large volumes.
Are retreaded tires included?
Yes. The definition covers new or retreaded tires. Used casings that haven't been retreaded yet, and replacement tread rubber, are excluded.
Official sources
This update is general information, not legal advice. Tariff measures change often; the official source is the authority, and how a measure applies depends on your specific goods, so confirm with a licensed customs broker before you ship.