Canada Makes Its Final Decision on Dumped and Subsidized Building Cables from China

What Changed

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has made its final decisions in a trade-remedy case on unarmoured building cables — the electrical wiring used inside buildings — imported from China. On October 27, 2026, the CBSA made a final determination of dumping and a final determination of subsidizing for these goods from China, under paragraph 41(1)(b) of the Special Import Measures Act (SIMA). For one exporter — Tianjin Feiya Fengda Wire & Cable Technology Co., Ltd. — the CBSA ended the subsidy part of the investigation under paragraph 41(1)(a), because its subsidy amount was below the level that counts. The notice of these decisions was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on November 7, 2026 (Vol. 160, No. 45). The case is CBSA file “UBC 2026 IN”, started on a complaint by PTI Cables Inc. of Pointe-Claire, Québec. [1][2]

Why It Matters

“Dumping” means goods are sold to Canada below their home-market price; “subsidizing” means a foreign government helps pay for them. When the CBSA finds both, it can lead to extra import charges — anti-dumping and countervailing duties — that the Canadian importer pays at the border. These charges are already being collected on a temporary basis: provisional duties have been payable on these cables from China since July 29, 2026, when the CBSA made its preliminary decisions. The CBSA’s notices set out the final dumping margins, as a percentage of the export price: about 25.2% for Hebei Huatong, 45.3% for Tianjin Feiya Fengda, 55.6% for Zhejiang Cardiff, and 90.3% for all other exporters. Final subsidy amounts are smaller — about 3.1% for Hebei Huatong and 2.2% for Zhejiang Cardiff, but 45.2% for all other exporters. If you import building wire or cable from China, your landed cost can rise sharply, and the exact rate depends on which exporter made your goods. [2][3]

What to Check Next

This is not the end of the case. The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) is still deciding whether these imports have hurt (or threaten to hurt) Canadian producers, and it must issue its decision by November 26, 2026. Provisional duties keep being charged until then. If the CITT finds injury or threat of injury, anti-dumping and/or countervailing duties will apply to future imports of these cables from China; if it does not, the provisional duties are returned. To check whether your goods are caught, look at the product definition, not the tariff number alone: the case covers unarmoured building cables made of insulated copper or aluminum conductors rated above 80 volts and up to 300 volts, sized between AWG 14 and AWG 2, used to carry power to lighting, appliances and outlets, and certified to Canadian standards (for example “NMD90” type). The CBSA says these usually arrive under tariff classification numbers 8544.49.00.19 and 8544.49.00.90 (listed for convenience only — they can also cover non-subject goods). Some items are excluded, such as cables under 2 metres, extension cords, wiring harnesses, data and communications cable, and cable used as an input to make other products. Confirm your exact goods and the exporter-specific rate with your customs broker or the CBSA before importing. [2][4]

Status

In effect — provisional duties payable on subject goods released on or after 29 Jul 2026; CBSA final determinations of dumping and subsidizing issued 27 Oct 2026 (published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, 7 Nov 2026); CITT injury decision due by 26 Nov 2026

Direction

Import to Canada

Country/region

China

Goods

Unarmoured building cables (electrical building wire) — insulated copper or aluminum conductors rated above 80 V up to 300 V, AWG 14 to AWG 2, used to power lighting, appliances and outlets (e.g. “NMD90” type); usually imported under HS 8544.49.00.19 and 8544.49.00.90. Excludes cables under 2 m, extension cords, wiring harnesses, data/communications cable and manufacturing inputs

Published

7 Nov 2026

Sources

1. Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 160, Number 45 — Commissions (7 November 2026): Canada Border Services Agency, Special Import Measures Act, “Unarmoured building cables — Decisions.” States that on 27 October 2026 the CBSA made a final determination of dumping (para. 41(1)(b) of SIMA) and a final determination of subsidizing of unarmoured building cables (UBC) originating in or exported from China, and terminated the subsidy investigation for Tianjin Feiya Fengda Wire & Cable Technology Co., Ltd. (para. 41(1)(a)); that the CITT will issue its injury decision by 26 November 2026; and that provisional duties continue until then. Signed Ottawa, 27 October 2026. No margins stated in the Gazette notice. Read 7 Nov 2026.
2. Canada Border Services Agency — Notice of final determinations, Unarmoured Building Cables (UBC 2026 IN), 27 October 2026. Final dumping and subsidizing determinations (China); subsidy investigation terminated for Tianjin Feiya Fengda (subsidy amount below the de minimis level). Final dumping margins (% of export price): Hebei Huatong 25.2%; Tianjin Feiya Fengda 45.3%; Zhejiang Cardiff 55.6%; all other exporters 90.3%. Final subsidy amounts: Hebei Huatong 3.1%; Zhejiang Cardiff 2.2%; all other exporters 45.2%; Tianjin Feiya Fengda 0.5% (terminated). CITT injury decision due 26 Nov 2026; final Statement of Reasons within 15 days. Read 7 Nov 2026.
3. Canada Border Services Agency — Notice of preliminary determinations, Unarmoured Building Cables (UBC 2026 IN), 29 July 2026. Provisional duties payable on subject goods released from the CBSA on or after 29 July 2026. Preliminary total provisional-duty rates (% of export price): Hebei Huatong 40.7%; Tianjin Feiya Fengda 88.6%; Zhejiang Cardiff 64.2%; all other exporters 225.9%. Read 7 Nov 2026.
4. Canada Border Services Agency — Notice of initiation of investigations, Unarmoured Building Cables (UBC 2026 IN), 16 March 2026. Investigation initiated on a complaint by PTI Cables Inc. (Pointe-Claire, Québec). Appendix 1 gives the product definition: unarmoured building cables of insulated copper or aluminum conductors rated above 80 V up to 300 V, AWG 14 to AWG 2, for distributing current to power lighting, appliances and similar items, certified to Canadian standards; with listed exclusions. Tariff classification numbers listed for convenience: 8544.49.00.19 and 8544.49.00.90 (and conductor inputs 7408.11.10.00, 7408.19.00.10, 7605.29.00.00, 7614.90.00.00). Read 7 Nov 2026.

Verification boundary: The Canada Gazette, Part I, Vol. 160 No. 45 (7 November 2026) Commissions notice and the CBSA UBC 2026 case notices (initiation 16 Mar 2026, preliminary determinations 29 Jul 2026, final decisions 27 Oct 2026) were read on 7 November 2026. “Final determination” is distinguished from the pending injury stage: the CBSA has finished its dumping and subsidy investigation, but permanent anti-dumping and countervailing duties apply only if the CITT finds injury or threat of injury, with that decision due by 26 November 2026; provisional duties (payable since 29 July 2026) continue until then. The margins and subsidy amounts above are taken from the CBSA case notices, not the Gazette notice. No tariff rate, HS code, margin, date or authority not found in a source read for this note has been added.

Trade Notes are general information, not customs, legal or tax advice. Publication dates are not automatically effective dates. Sources are re-checked when a note is updated.