Softwood lumber HS 4407.19

Lumber, of coniferous, not elsewhere specified, sawn/chipped lengthwise/sliced/peeled, thickness over 6 mm

10-50%
US tariff Section 232 lumber and furniture
2025 exports C$1.9B
Beyond the US C$522M ▲8% vs 2024

Where else to sell

1. Japan 0% Tariff free CPTPP

Canada already sells Japan C$89M of softwood lumber ▲19% vs 2024. Room to grow: that is 45% of their ~C$198M import market (2023).

2. China

China imports ~C$477M of softwood lumber a year (2023). Canada shipped C$89M there in 2025.

3. New Zealand 0% Tariff free CPTPP

New Zealand already buys C$57M ▲18% vs 2024. In a different region from the markets above.

The steps

  1. 1

    Check you qualify for CanExport SMEs: incorporated with a CRA number, 3 to 500 staff, $300k to $100M revenue, under $100k of your sales in the target market last year.

  2. 2

    Scope a $20k to $100k entry project (trade events, marketing adaptation, buyer identification consultants). The program pays half, up to $50k. Apply at the CanExport portal. The 2026-27 intake closes August 31, 2026 at noon ET. The US-market envelope is already fully allocated; non-US applications remain open.

  3. 3

    Free help: Trade Commissioner Service desks for Japan, China and New Zealand. Request "qualified contacts" (curated buyer and distributor lists).

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