August 12, 2026
Trade Update: Canada’s 25% Wood Cabinet Surtax, New and Proposed Section 232 Tariffs, FDA VQIP Reminder Canada: 25% Provisional Surtax on Wood Cabinets and Vanities
Canada: 25% Provisional Surtax on Wood Cabinets and Vanities
Canada is applying a 25% provisional safeguard surtax on imports of wood cabinets and vanities (and their subassemblies) intended for permanent installation, for a period of up to 200 days.
Goods originating in the United States, Mexico, Chile, and Israel, along with listed developing countries, are exempt, as are goods in transit to Canada on the effective date, freestanding furniture not designed for permanent installation, and certain wall-mounted medicine cabinets.
See here for more information: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/cn-ad/cn26-17-eng.html
U.S.: Section 232 Tariffs and Minimum Import Prices on Polysilicon
By proclamation dated August 6, 2026, the U.S. will impose a 15% ad valorem Section 232 tariff on imports of polysilicon and downstream derivatives — including ingots, wafers, solar cells, and solar modules — effective December 4, 2026. The UK rate is 10%, and for the EU, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein the combined Section 232 and MFN duty is capped at 15%.
Notably, the action also introduces minimum import prices (MIPs); otherwise, additional duties equal to the shortfall apply. Please see below for more details.
U.S.: Proposed Section 232 Duties on Additional Aluminum, Steel, and Copper Products
On August 6, 2026, a Federal Register notice proposing to add 14 categories of derivative articles to the Section 232 duties on aluminum, steel, and copper. The proposed list includes aluminum powder, electric conductor cables, fire extinguishers, heat exchanger and welding machine parts, floor safes, mobile cranes and lifting equipment, tanker/agricultural/other trailers, brass-wind musical instruments, and steel containers filled with propane, oxygen, or propylene.
Most articles would face a 25% duty, with agricultural trailers proposed at 15% and filled steel containers at 50% (applied to the value of the metal container only). Comments are due August 27, 2026 with no set date for potential implementation.
See here for more information: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/06/2026-15961/request-for-public-comments-on-the-proposed-implementation-of-duties-on-additional-aluminum-steel
FDA Reminder: VQIP Applications for FY2027 Close September 1, 2026
The FDA is reminding food importers that the application window for the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) for fiscal year 2027 benefits closes on September 1, 2026. VQIP is a fee-based program that expedites the review and importation of human and animal foods into the U.S. for importers who demonstrate control over the safety and security of their supply chains, with benefits beginning October 1, 2026.
Before applying, importers should confirm their eligibility and ensure all foreign suppliers of foods to be imported under VQIP hold valid facility certifications issued by a certification body accredited under FDA’s Accredited Third-Party Certification Program. Applying early is encouraged to allow sufficient time for review and fee processing.
See here for more information: https://www.fda.gov/food/importing-food-products-united-states/voluntary-qualified-importer-program-vqip