U.S. BEGINS 19.31% DUTY ON CANADIAN SOFTWOOD LUMBER IMPORTS

U.S. BEGINS 19.31% DUTY ON CANADIAN SOFTWOOD LUMBER IMPORTS    The U.S. government commenced today with a 19.31-percent countervailing duty on Canadian softwood lumber imports.
   U.S. Customs will require cash deposits or surety bonds in the amount of remedial duty for entries of affected softwood lumber from Canada. The duty will remain in place until the Commerce Department makes a final decision in its investigation into whether Canada subsidizes its lumber industry. That decision is due by Dec. 8.
   The duty covers a variety of softwood lumber products, such as flooring, lumber and siding. It does not include trusses, furniture, pallets, I-joist beams, fence pickets, garage doors, and door and window frames.
   Softwood lumber exports from Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island are exempt from the duty if accompanied by an original certificate of origin issued by the Maritime Lumber Bureau. The certificate must state that the products had been produced from logs in Canada’s Maritime Provinces or Maine. Exports from Frontier Lumber are also exempt.
   Also in the works at the U.S. Commerce Department is an antidumping investigation into Canadian softwood lumber. A “preliminary decision” is due Sept. 24, with a final determination date of Dec. 8.