Monday, March 9, 2026
The U.S. Department of Commerce has launched a new administrative review of existing trade duties covering several major wood product imports. The move places Canadian softwood lumber exporters and Chinese wood product manufacturers under renewed scrutiny. The review was formally announced in a notice issued on March 9, 2026. Final results are expected by January 31, 2027.
Three product categories are included in the investigation. Canadian softwood lumber is one of them. Certain hardwood plywood products from China are also being examined. Wooden bedroom furniture exports from China are the third category. Each of these products is already subject to antidumping measures under existing U.S. trade rules.
Canadian softwood lumber enters the review carrying a significant tariff burden. Exporters currently face a combined antidumping and countervailing duty rate of 35.19 percent. The review will cover shipments made throughout the 2025 calendar year. These imports are regulated under antidumping order A-122-857 and countervailing duty order C-122-858.
Tariff levels have increased sharply in recent years. The combined rate rose from 14.40 percent in the fifth administrative review to 35.19 percent in the sixth review. These increases have significantly affected cross-border lumber trade. Canadian lumber remains an important supply source for the U.S. market, particularly for residential construction.
U.S. producers continue to defend the duty measures. The U.S. Lumber Coalition, which represents domestic lumber manufacturers, has been a strong supporter of the tariffs. The group argues that the duties are necessary to counter trade practices that disadvantage American producers.
Coalition Chairman Andrew Miller stated that the tariffs target policies used by Canada to maintain what he described as an artificially high share of the U.S. lumber market. According to Miller, such practices force American mills to reduce production. He added that the result can include lost jobs within the domestic lumber industry.
The duty review will also examine imports of certain hardwood plywood products from China. These products fall under antidumping order A-570-051. Chinese wooden bedroom furniture exports are being reviewed under order A-570-890. Both product groups will be evaluated for the same 2025 review period.
Officials indicated that the number of companies examined may be limited. Respondents could be selected based on U.S. import data or quantity-and-value questionnaires submitted by exporters. Relevant import data will be placed on the administrative record within five days of the initiation notice.
The process of selecting companies for detailed examination is expected to occur within 35 days. Additional deadlines apply to the furniture sector. Exporters of wooden bedroom furniture must submit quantity-and-value responses within 21 days. Separate-rate certifications must be filed within 14 days.
These procedural steps will determine which exporters are subject to closer analysis during the review. Much of the work will be conducted through documentation and data submissions. Final duty calculations will be issued after the review process is completed.
Market conditions for Chinese wood furniture exports were already challenging during 2025. The United States remained the largest destination for China’s wood furniture shipments. About 27 percent of total exports were shipped to the U.S. market.
However, export volumes declined during the year. Shipments fell by 7.1 percent to 129.4 million pieces. Export value dropped more sharply, falling 20 percent to approximately $5.6 billion. Average unit prices also decreased significantly. They declined by 14 percent to around $43 per piece.
The data reflects growing pressure on Chinese furniture manufacturers. Lower prices and weaker demand have affected export performance. At the same time, tariff policies continue to influence trade flows.
The new review highlights ongoing trade tensions in the global wood products sector. Canadian lumber exports remain essential to the U.S. housing supply chain. Chinese manufacturers also maintain a strong presence in furniture markets. Yet both sectors continue to face trade scrutiny from U.S. regulators.
The results of the review will determine whether existing duty rates remain in place or are adjusted. For exporters, the process will be closely watched. Decisions made during the review could shape wood product trade patterns between the United States, Canada, and China in the coming years.
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Tags: Chinese hardwood plywood imports, global timber trade, U.S. lumber tariffs, woodworking industry, woodworking USA
