Trade

Canadian Retaliatory Tariffs on U.S. Boats Eliminated

NMMA Canada and the Canadian Marine Trades Associations have been advised by the Government of Canada that effective April 30, 2019, all retaliatory tariffs on U.S. recreational boats entering Canada have been removed, marking the most positive development for our industry since this concerning issue first emerged.

The Canadian Marine Trade Associations have been advised that earlier this week, the Canadian government approved the "Order Amending the United States Surtax Order (Other Goods)," which ended the 10 percent retaliatory tariff on U.S. boats heading to Canada that was implemented in response to the U.S government's Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum.

Specifically, this action removes the following boat-related HTC codes from the list of goods subjected to the surtaxes:
• 8903.10.00
• 8903.91.00
• 8903.92.00
• 8903.99.90
As such, we have been informed that all boats imported on or after April 30, 2019, are no longer subject to retaliatory tariffs (on a forward basis). At this time the government will not issue rebates or refunds for surtaxes paid on boats prior to this action.

We have been advised by Canadian government representatives that this Order will be officially published on May 15, 2019 in Part II Canada Gazette. The next few weeks may still have some challenges in sorting through the details; we urge you to continue collaborating and communicating to support the entire industry.

We are thrilled the Canadian government heard our concerns and addressed them head on. Together, the boating industry worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the unintended consequences that the tariffs and countermeasures were causing boating businesses. As you are aware, eliminating retaliatory tariffs on U.S. boats has been a top priority for the industry, and this new announcement is a major win for all of us.

Thank you for all your help in achieving this victory.

Sara Anghel
President, NMMA Canada

Thom Dammrich
President, NMMA

NMMA Canada Makes Official Submission to Government of Canada Regarding Tariff Announcement on US Boats

NMMA Canada has made its official submission to the Government of Canada and the Prime Minister outlining our specific concerns regarding the retaliatory tariffs. A trade war between Canada and the US is bad for the recreational industry across Canada and it is extremely disappointing that the Government of Canada has had to make these drastic decisions. To view our letter click here.

We urge the recreational boating industry to contact their elected officials on this important matter. The more voices are heard, the stronger the voices are.

You can write the Prime Minister directly at the following address:

The Right Hon. Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P.
Prime Minister of Canada
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A3
Canada
[email protected]

You can also write your local Member of Parliament (If you do not know the MP in your riding please visit http://www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members)

Here is an example of a letter you could use when writing government.

If you wish to discuss the topic or have questions, please do not hesitate to contact Sara Anghel, President, NMMA Canada at [email protected]

To view our letter to Minister of Foreign Affiars, Chrystia Freeland click here

To view our letters to the Standing Committee on International Trade click here and here