Canada Extends Tariff Relief for Affected Businesses
Trade Update • Oct. 17, 2025
Key Points
- Canada extends tariff relief for U.S. and China imports, amended Remission Orders (China and U.S.) are available.
- Manufacturing and agricultural exemptions extended two months
- Public health and safety exemptions extended to December 15, 2025
- Broad and importer-specific tariff remissions expanded
- Relief for food and beverage packaging now includes agriculture
- CBSA to administer remission claims and tariff refund programs
- Duty Drawback and Duties Relief Programs available to importers
- Full Remission Order to be published November 5, 2025 in Canada Gazette – Update will be made on this Trade Update.
The Minister of Finance and National Revenue, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, today announced additional relief measures to support Canadian businesses affected by Canada’s countermeasures in response to U.S. tariffs.
Refer to Canadian businesses impacted by response to U.S. tariffs to benefit from relief.
Extension of Existing Exemptions
To protect Canadian workers and mitigate the economic impact of recent surtaxes:
- The exemption for U.S. goods used in manufacturing, processing, or food and beverage packaging has been extended by two months and now includes goods used in agricultural production.
- The temporary exemption for goods imported for public health, health care, public safety, and national security purposes has also been extended for two months.
Remission Orders (China and USA)
The Remission Orders China Surtax Remission Order (2024) and the United States Surtax Remission Order (2025) were amended on October 17, 2025. An additional remission order for the U.S. will be published in the November 5, 2025 edition of the Canada Gazette, Part II.
This Remission Order will provide for either:
- Relief from surtaxes at importation, or
- Refunds of surtaxes already paid,
- under defined conditions.
We encourage businesses to consult the Remission Order (when made available) to identify products eligible for remission.
Structure of the Remission Order (to be published)
- Products listed in Schedules 1 and 2 are subject to broad remission for all importers, indefinitely from the time the tariffs came into effect.
- Products listed in Schedule 3 are subject to broad remission for all importers, from the time the tariffs came into effect until the date specified in column 3.
- Products listed in Schedule 4 are subject to remission by a specified importer listed in column 1 (according to business number) and subject to any other applicable condition listed in column 4, until September 1, 2025.
- Products listed in Schedule 4.1 are subject to remission by a specified importer listed in column 1 (according to business number), during the period specified in column 4, and subject to any other applicable condition listed in column 5.
- Products listed in Section 4.3 are subject to indefinite broad remission for all importers, from the time the tariffs came into effect.
This latest amendment expands on the United States Surtax Remission Order (2025), first introduced in April 2025 and amended in October 2025.
Horizontal Relief Updates
Additional extensions have been implemented under horizontal relief provisions:
- Public Health, Public Safety & National Security: Relief extended to December 15, 2025.
- Manufacturing, Processing & Food/Beverage Packaging: Relief extended to December 15, 2025, and expanded to include agricultural production.
How to Claim Remission
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will administer remission claims.
- Further information will be published in due course in the CBSA’s Customs Notice.
- In the meantime, please refer to the Section ‘How to Apply’ within this CBSA’s Customs Notice, which includes all relevant special authorization codes required by CBSA.
Questions? Contact Department of Finance Canada: remissions-remises@fin.gc.ca.
Additional Relief Measures Implemented
Further relief from Canada’s tariffs on imports from the U.S. and China is now available for companies that meet strict conditions, such as demonstrating short supply or pre-existing contractual obligations.
- Tariffs (except for steel products) are automatically waived where goods are used for specified non-commercial or commercial purposes (e.g., as inputs to boat, automobile, or aircraft manufacturing), as outlined in Chapter 98 and Chapter 99 of the Customs Tariff.
Programs for tariff relief include:
GHY can assist with applications to these programs which allow companies to import commercial goods without paying tariffs or to receive refunds for tariffs already paid when goods are subsequently exported.
How GHY Can Help?
GHY specializes in helping businesses navigate and reduce the impacts of tariffs through strategic solutions tailored to their needs. Our experts can audit your supply chain to identify inefficiencies, uncover cost-saving opportunities, and ensure compliance with evolving trade regulations. We also employ tariff engineering techniques to optimize product classification and sourcing strategies, minimizing duty exposure and maximizing profitability.
By partnering with GHY, your business gains access to the tools and expertise needed to streamline operations and stay competitive in a challenging trade environment.
Contact Us Today! Booking a Meeting, email consult@ghy.com, or call +1 (800) 667-0771.
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