U.S. tariffs on Canadian packaging and freezers change October 30

Issue 115 risograph cover: U.S. Section 338 changes remove or add a 50 percent surcharge on specific Canadian packaging and refrigeration goods from October 30, while other duties remain separate. Other panels cover Canada's conditional investment recovery, a Mexican produce quota negotiating request, proposed China AI investment restrictions, and FDA draft guidance distinguishing U.S.-caught claims from customs origin.

Bottom line

U.S. buyers should revise budgets for affected Canadian imports entering from October 30 using confirmed classifications and entry timing. Remove or add the 50% Section 338 duty where applicable, while retaining other duties.

The October 23 U.S. tariff amendment moves costs in opposite directions for Canadian packaging and refrigeration equipment. It removes the 50% Section 338 additional duty from some products and adds it to others for goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, from 12:01 a.m. ET on October 30.

Paper sacks under HTS 4819.40.00 lose the 50% Section 338 duty, while sacks with a base at least 40 centimeters wide under 4819.30.00 become covered. The amendment also removes refrigeration equipment under 8418.69.01 and adds chest freezers of up to 800 liters under 8418.30.00. A mixed order can therefore gain relief on one separately classified item and acquire an additional duty on another. Confirm classification, including whether equipment forms an integrated system, before revising the budget.

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