Tariffs Drive Up Cost of Canadian Softwood Lumber Imports

Trade-related costs of Canadian imports have recently increased due to adjustments to antidumping and countervailing duty rates and the imposition of Section 232 tariffs, according to the National Association of Home Builders’ Eye on Housing. 

The average duty rate on Canadian softwood lumber entering the U.S. has reached around 45%. In 2024, Canadian softwood lumber exports to the U.S. totaled $5.1 billion, accounting for 74% of the total value of softwood lumber imports. The International Falls, Minnesota, port of entry, the port a majority of Canadian softwood lumber enters through, saw $840 million in imports last year. 

In 2024, Washington state received $560.1 million worth of imports, followed by Texas with $451.7 million. Alaska recorded the lowest import volume with $284,053 in softwood lumber shipments.

While trade data can highlight logistical patterns, it does not report the final destination of lumber shipments, especially in cases where materials are redistributed across state lines.