TARIFF TRACKER
Canada applies a 25% surtax to certain steel and aluminum with China melt or smelt content
Canada applies a 25% surtax to certain commercial steel and aluminum goods imported into Canada if the steel was melted and poured in China or the aluminum was smelted and cast in China. Importers must keep acceptable melt, pour, smelt and cast documentation and account for the surtax unless an exception applies.
Updated October 12, 2026
STATUS
In effect
·
EFFECTIVE
·
Canada
RATE
25%
25% of the value for duty
COUNTRIES
China
PRODUCT FAMILIES
Steel, Aluminum
COVERED GOODS
Certain steel goods imported into Canada containing steel melted and poured in China and certain aluminum goods imported into Canada containing aluminum smelted and cast in China, as listed in the Schedule to the Steel Goods and Aluminum Goods Surtax Order.
EXCLUSIONS
The surtax does not apply to goods in transit to Canada when it comes into force, goods originating in the United States under the stated marking origin rules, CADs where the cumulative value for duty of subject goods does not exceed $5,000, goods subject to the China Surtax Order (2024), casual goods, Chapter 98 goods, and goods where another specified steel surtax is the only applicable surtax.
USMCA
Canada says Duties Relief and Duty Drawback Programs are available subject to CUSMA, and that goods of CUSMA United States or Mexico origin may be eligible for full relief if CUSMA criteria are met. Steel and aluminum goods originating in the United States under the stated marking origin rules are not subject to the surtax.
WHAT TO DO (OUR GUIDANCE, NOT LEGAL ADVICE)
Check whether steel SKUs have any steel melted and poured in China and whether aluminum SKUs have aluminum smelted and cast in China. Keep acceptable COM or CSC certificates and use surtax code 25154A for steel or 25154B for aluminum when accounting if the goods are subject.
SOURCES
QUOTES FROM THE SOURCE
Signed: "Ottawa, July 31, 2025" (source)
Effective date: "Effective July 31, 2025 , certain steel goods imported into Canada and containing steel melted and poured in China and certain aluminum goods imported into Canada" (source)
Rate: "are subject to a surtax in the amount of 25% of the value for duty in accordance with the Steel Goods and Aluminum Goods Surtax Order" (source)
Covered goods: "certain steel goods imported into Canada and containing steel melted and poured in China and certain aluminum goods imported into Canada and containing aluminum smelted and cast in China" (source)
Countries: "goods contain steel melted and poured in China if the raw steel, or any portion of the raw steel, contained in the goods was first produced in a liquid state" (source)
Exclusions: "The surtax will not apply to steel and aluminum goods that are in transit to Canada on the date on which the surtax comes into force." (source)
Exclusions: "Steel and aluminum goods that originate in the United States, as determined in accordance with the Determination of Country of Origin for the Purpose of Marking Goods ( CUSMA Countries) Regulations , are not subject to the surtax." (source)
USMCA: "When goods are of CUSMA ( US /Mexico) origin, the goods are not subject to the limitations of CUSMA and the "lesser of two duties" determination does not apply." (source)
Checked against source
on
Live CBSA notice (last updated Nov 7, 2025): 25% surtax from July 31, 2025 on scheduled steel with China melt-and-pour and aluminum with China smelt-and-cast content; CN 25-33 (July 2026) still lists it in the steel surtax precedence; no repeal note.
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