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Subsidy Programs Provided by Countries Exporting Softwood Lumber and Softwood Lumber Products to the United States; Request for Comment
Commerce is asking for comments on softwood lumber subsidies in Brazil, Canada, Germany and Sweden, for its next report to Congress. Comments are due November 30, 2026. The request doesn't change lumber tariffs, which for most Canadian exporters are now 24.75% plus a 10% Section 232 duty.
Lumber tariffs and subsidies: the key numbers
The notice sets a deadline and a country list. The duty rates below come from separate orders and proclamations that already apply.
November 30, 2026: comment deadline
Comments go to docket ITA-2026-0100 at regulations.gov. Commerce wants subsidies given from January 1 to June 30, 2026, including stumpage subsidies.
4 countries: Brazil, Canada, Germany, and Sweden
Each supplied at least 1% of US softwood lumber imports by quantity in that period. The April 2026 request covered seven countries, including Austria, Chile and New Zealand.
10.64% plus 14.11%: Canadian lumber duties for most exporters
These are the antidumping and countervailing duty rates for non-selected exporters, from Commerce's October 19, 2026, review results. The year before, they were 20.53% and 14.63%.
10%: Section 232 duty on softwood timber and lumber
It has been applied since October 14, 2025, on top of other duties. The UK is capped at 10%, and the EU and Japan at 15%, including the regular duty.
Stumpage: the fee a government charges to harvest timber on public land. Charging less than market value can count as a subsidy.
What softwood lumber the request covers: HTS 4407.11 to 4407.19
Commerce picked countries using imports under HTS subheadings 4407.11, 4407.12, 4407.13, 4407.14 and 4407.19. These cover sawn coniferous wood, such as pine, spruce, and fir.
Commerce only wants comments on those four countries. It plans to use July to December 2026 imports to pick the countries for the next report.
Country: name the country that gave the subsidy.
Program: give the subsidy program's name.
Description: describe the program in no more than 3 to 4 sentences.
Authority: name the government body that provided the subsidy.
Format: submit online. Attachments must be Word, Excel, or PDF, and the docket isn't edited to remove contact details.
Comments are public. Leave out anything you don't want disclosed.
Why the softwood lumber subsidy report matters
The Softwood Lumber Act of 2008 requires Commerce to report to Congress every 180 days on subsidies from countries that export softwood lumber to the US. Commerce sent its last report on June 30, 2026.
The report doesn't set or change duties. Duties on Canadian lumber come from antidumping and countervailing duty orders in place since January 2018.
Those orders now carry lower rates for most exporters. Commerce's 2024 reviews, published October 19, 2026, cut the non-selected antidumping rate from 20.53% to 10.64%.
What comes next for lumber tariffs on Canada
New cash deposit rates apply to Canadian lumber entered on or after October 19, 2026. Named companies have their own rates.
Antidumping: Canfor 17.00%, Resolute 13.13% and West Fraser 4.71%.
Countervailing duty: Resolute 12.42% and West Fraser 15.31%.
Commerce's next report to Congress should follow about 180 days after June 30, 2026, around late December. That date is an estimate.
Section 232 duties on upholstered wooden furniture rise to 30%, and on kitchen cabinets and vanities to 50%, on January 1, 2027. Neither proclamation sets an increase for the 10% lumber rate.
Key dates
January 3, 2018: Canada orders published. Commerce issued the antidumping and countervailing duty orders on Canadian softwood lumber.
October 14, 2025: Section 232 duty starts. A 10% duty applies to softwood timber and lumber imports.
June 30, 2026: last report to Congress. Commerce sent its latest softwood lumber subsidy report.
October 19, 2026: new Canadian rates. Commerce published final results for 2024 entries.
October 29, 2026: comment request. Commerce named Brazil, Canada, Germany, and Sweden.
November 30, 2026: comments due. File under docket ITA-2026-0100.
How to check your lumber tariffs and comment
Decide whether to comment. If you know of a subsidy in Brazil, Canada, Germany, or Sweden, file by November 30, 2026.
Give the four required details. Name the country, the program, a 3 to 4 sentence description, and the government body.
Update Canadian deposit rates. Use the October 19, 2026, rates for entries from that date on.
Check producer and exporter rates. For countervailing duty, if both have their own rates, the higher one applies.
Add the Section 232 duty. Budget 10% on softwood lumber, within the UK, EU, and Japan caps.
Watch the next country list. July to December 2026 import shares decide the countries in the next request.
Frequently asked questions
What is softwood lumber?
It is wood from coniferous trees such as pine, spruce, and fir. For its import counts, Commerce uses HTS subheadings 4407.11 to 4407.19.
What are the lumber tariffs on Canada?
Most Canadian exporters pay 10.64% antidumping and 14.11% countervailing duty deposits. A 10% Section 232 duty applies on top.
Does this request change lumber tariffs?
No. It gathers information for a report to Congress, and sets no duty rates.
Are there tariffs on softwood lumber from Germany and Sweden?
The 10% Section 232 duty applies, capped at 15% including the regular duty for EU countries. Antidumping and countervailing duty orders apply to Canadian softwood lumber, but not to lumber from Germany or Sweden.
This article is informational and is not legal or customs advice.