The Government of Canada has announced it will extend its application of the Steel Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQs). The extension enters effect on June 28, 2026 and will continue until June 27, 2027. As a reminder, a 50% surtax is applicable to certain steel products imported without a permit from both Free Trade Agreement (FTA) partner countries and non-FTA countries, with the exception of goods originating from Canada, United States and Mexico.
The forthcoming quarterly TRQ periods are below:
Quarter 1: June 28 – September 29, 2026
Quarter 2: September 30 – December 29, 2026
Quarter 3: December 30, 2026 – March 29, 2027
Quarter 4: March 30 – June 27, 2027
The third Order Amending the Order Imposing a Surtax on the Importation of Certain Steel Goods (P.C. 2026-593), which takes effect on June 28, 2026, will adjust the volumes of the TRQs for the Hot-Rolled Sheet, Cold-Rolled Sheet, Hot-Rolled Bar, Structural Steel and Stainless Steel Billets and Blooms product classes originating from non-FTA partners and for the Hot-Rolled Sheet, Steel Plate and Cold-Rolled Sheet product classes from non-CUSMA FTA partners.
Key points:
The TRQ permits are shipment-specific and administered on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Shipment-specific import permit applications may be submitted up to 15 days in advance of the expected date of entry.
Imports exceeding available TRQ volumes, or imported without a valid shipment-specific permit, are subject to a 50% surtax.
Once the quota volume allotment for the quarter is fulfilled, no further permits will be issued for that quarter.
All imports of the subject products above specified volumes for each class of steel goods will be subject to a surtax in the amount of 50% of the value for duty in accordance with the Order.
The quota quantities are detailed in table 1 and table 2 of section 3.3 of the Notice to importers: Item 82 – Steel goods – Serial No. 1163
The updated lists of the commodities (HS Codes) covered by each of the TRQs are set out in Section C12 of the Commodity Codes Handbook.
For inquiries related to permit issuance or quota availability, please contact Global Affairs Canada at: [email protected].
For questions related to the policy outlined in the Order Imposing a Surtax on the Importation of Certain Steel Goods, please contact the Department of Finance: [email protected]
Additional Resources:
Notice to importers: Item 82 – Steel goods – Serial No. 1163
Customs Notice 25-24: Order Imposing a Surtax on the Importation of Certain Steel Goods
Should you have any questions do not hesitate to contact our consulting team at [email protected]