Under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, a 50% duty has applied since 22 August 2026 to about $20 billion of Canadian goods across 554 tariff lines, including alcohol, dairy, maple syrup, plywood and ice hockey equipment, with no exemption for USMCA-qualifying goods. Proclamations signed on 8 September widened the duty list from 15 September (adding items such as cheese, furniture and lighting) and banned imports of certain Canadian alcohol, dairy products and motorcycles over 800 cc from 29 September. On 20 October an importer of Canadian cheese, backed by the Liberty Justice Center, sued at the Court of International Trade, arguing that Section 338 does not cover the cited Canadian policies and seeking refunds with interest. Prime Minister Carney spoke with President Trump on 21 October, and Canadian officials told Canadian press a quick deal before the November midterms is possible but not expected.
Key dates
- Done22 Aug 2026
50% Section 338 duty takes effect on 554 tariff lines of Canadian goods Davis Wright Tremaine
- Done15 Sep 2026
Widened duty lists take effect Troutman Pepper Locke
- Done29 Sep 2026
Import bans on certain Canadian alcoholic beverages, dairy products and motorcycles over 800 cc take effect Troutman Pepper Locke
- Done20 Oct 2026
Importer Gellert Global Group sues at the US Court of International Trade to challenge the Section 338 tariffs; no hearing date reported Al Jazeera
Every date of this rule, with what it means for a parcel and what to prepare. If a date moves, your calendar moves with it.
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Who it hits
What to prepare
- Screen Canada-to-US parcels against the Section 338 lists and the banned categories before induction
- Advise Canadian shippers to move affected categories into US warehouse stock or to non-US markets
- Watch for further proclamations, which have come at two- to three-week intervals
Our reading
Sources
- Fifty Percent Section 338 Tariffs on Many Canadian Goods Effective August 22 · Davis Wright Tremaine · 2026-08-27
- From Duties to Import Bans: President Trump Escalates Section 338 Actions Against Canadian Goods · Troutman Pepper Locke · 2026-09
- US food importer sues Trump over 50 percent tariffs on Canadian goods · Al Jazeera · 2026-10-20
- EXCLUSIVE: Canada hasn't yet closed door on U.S. trade deal ahead of midterms · BNN Bloomberg (CTV News) · 2026-10-22
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United States, Mexico and Canada · In force
Information, not legal advice. Dates come from official texts or quality legal and trade press, and slip often: always check the current text before acting. Back to the full radar.