Canadian softwood lumber producers are getting a temporary reprieve as a large portion of preliminary duties in place for four months have ended pending a final decision.
Most lumber companies will pay 6.87% in anti-dumping tariffs after a 19.88% rate for countervailing duties formally ended as of Saturday.
The exceptions are five producers, which were singled out, and have paid duties between 9.89% and 30.88%. All others paid 26.75%.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross announced late Monday that his department postponed the final determinations in the anti-dumping duty and countervailing duty investigations of imports of softwood lumber from Canada until no later than Nov. 14.
Although countervailing duties formally came off in recent days, at least one expert says Canadian producers have been able to ship products south of the border without CVDs since Aug. 14 by delaying paperwork by up to 10 days.
Countervailing duties target what the U.S. considers unfair subsidies, while anti-dumping tariffs go after the alleged selling of softwood below market value.
Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard said Monday that higher lumber prices have raised prices for American consumers buying new homes and hurt U.S., not Canadian, workers.
Lumber prices, which ran up in anticipation of export duties, have begun to soften partly due to the lowering of duties.
Western SPF prices were $398 U.S. per thousand-board feet on Friday, said Madison's Lumber Reporter, which tracks prices. That's down 4% from $414 U.S. a month ago but up from $330 U.S. a year ago.
Lumber prices are typically weaker in the fall after the main home building season.
