Ottawa, Ontario
On August 17, 2026, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) initiated investigations to determine whether paperboard cups and containers are being sold at unfair prices in Canada (dumped), subsidized, or both. The investigations focus on imports from producers operating in or exporting from China. These practices can harm Canadian industries by undercutting prices, which undermines fair competition.
The CBSA's investigations follow a complaint filed by Great Pacific Enterprises Limited Partnership (the complainant). The complainant alleges that as a result of an increase in the volume of the dumped and subsidized imports, they have suffered material injury in the form of price undercutting, price depression, price suppression, lost sales, lost market share, decline in margins, reduction in capacity utilization, reduced employment, and negative impact on investments
The CBSA and the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) both play a role in the investigations. The CITT will begin a preliminary inquiry to determine whether the imports are harming Canadian producers and will issue a decision by October 16, 2026. Concurrently, the CBSA will investigate whether the imports are being sold in Canada at unfair prices, subsidized, or both, and will make preliminary decisions by November 16, 2026.
The Special Import Measures Act (SIMA) protects Canadian producers and jobs from unfair trade, thereby safeguarding Canada's economy. In 2025, SIMA duties applied to approximately $3.3 billion worth of imports in industries employing 43,728 people in Canada. Currently, there are 185 special import measures in force in Canada.
