Canada’s Duties on Aluminum Extrusions and Unitized Wall Modules from China: What the CBSA Measures-in-Force Pages Say

The Canada Border Services Agency lists two measures in force under the Special Import Measures Act (SIMA) that matter to a façade or window package bought from China: aluminum extrusions, and unitized wall modules. Both combine anti-dumping and countervailing duties on goods originating in or exported from the People’s Republic of China. A buyer of aluminum windows, curtain wall or window wall for a Canadian project should read both product definitions before choosing a system.

This article reports what the CBSA’s “Measures in force” pages say, as read on 9 October 2026. It is not legal or customs advice. The CBSA states that the product definition is the authoritative description of the subject goods, and that the importer is responsible for verifying the duties assessed, so a Canadian customs broker should confirm how your goods are treated. The pages are updated from time to time, and the duty rates below are the ones shown on the pages on the date read. For other products, see our notes on Canada’s anti-dumping measures on upholstered domestic seating and curtain wall manufacturers.

What is a unitized wall module under the CBSA definition?

The CBSA product definition covers “unitized wall modules, with or without infill, including fully assembled frames, with or without fasteners, trims, cover caps, window operators, gaskets, load transfer bars, sunshades and anchor assemblies”. It excludes “non-unitized building envelope systems such as stick systems and point-fixing systems”.

The page explains that unitized wall modules are an aluminum-framed engineered fenestration product forming the building envelope of multi-story buildings, and that the two main styles are called curtainwall and window wall. They are prefabricated segments that interlock, made and shipped to the site and installed there. The page also describes how the CBSA tells a unitized system from a stick system: a stick system is shipped as vertical and horizontal members installed piece by piece on site, and viewed from inside the building the vertical members of a stick system are one piece while in a unitized system they are two interlocked pieces. Systems that use glass fins, patch fittings or cable supports for support, described on the page as point-fixing and full-glass walls, are not unitized and are not subject goods.

It follows that the word “curtain wall” on a quotation does not settle anything. What decides the treatment is the construction of the system, so ask each maker to state in writing whether the quoted system is unitized, stick-built or point-fixed, and attach the section drawings.

What do the aluminum extrusions measure cover?

The aluminum extrusions definition covers extrusions produced by an extrusion process, of alloys in the Aluminum Association series beginning 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 or 7 (or equivalents), with the finish as extruded, mechanical, anodized, painted or otherwise coated, whether or not worked, with a wall thickness greater than 0.5 mm, a maximum weight per meter of 22 kilograms and a profile that fits within a circle of 254 mm in diameter, originating in or exported from China.

The page lists exclusions for named end uses. Several depend on a powder coat finish certified to the AAMA 2603 standard, for example for exterior railing systems and for window frames of stated lengths and tempers, and the page says the importer must be able to provide evidence that the goods meet that standard. The exclusions are narrow and specific, so read the full list on the page rather than assuming a product is excluded because of its use.

Which duty rates do the pages show?

On the pages read, the duties for exporters that have not been issued their own normal value or amount of subsidy are as follows.

• Aluminum extrusions (page modified 2025-10-08): anti-dumping duty equal to 101% of the export price, and countervailing duty of 15.84 renminbi per kilogram.
• Unitized wall modules (page modified 2024-11-01): anti-dumping duty equal to 120% of the export price, and countervailing duty of 458.31 renminbi per square metre.

Both pages also list a number of exporters with specific normal values or amounts of subsidy, and say that information on specific normal values should be obtained from the exporter. A buyer should ask each maker, in writing, whether it has been issued its own normal value and amount of subsidy for the product quoted, and should not assume the general rates or any lower rate applies without that confirmation.

Dates the pages give

• Unitized wall modules: investigation initiated 4 March 2013; final determination 10 October 2013; Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) finding 12 November 2013; expiry review determinations on 8 February 2019 and 10 October 2024. The CITT reference numbers shown are NQ-2013-002, RR-2018-002 and RR-2024-001.
• Aluminum extrusions: investigation initiated 18 August 2008; final determination 16 February 2009; CITT finding 17 March 2009; expiry review determination 9 May 2025; CITT order 1 October 2025. The CITT reference numbers shown include NQ-2008-003, RR-2018-008 and RR-2025-007.

The unitized wall modules page was last modified on 1 November 2024, so it does not show anything that happened afterwards. Check the CBSA and CITT sites for the position at the time of your order.

Tariff numbers and what they do not tell you

The pages list the tariff classification numbers under which subject goods are normally classified. For unitized wall modules they are 7008.00.00.00, 7308.30.00.21, 7610.10.00.10, 7610.10.00.20, 7610.90.90.30 and 7610.90.90.90. For aluminum extrusions the list includes numbers in headings 7604, 7608 and 7610. Both pages warn that these numbers may apply to goods that are not subject to SIMA measures, that they may change, and that subject goods may be imported under other numbers. The product definition is the authoritative description.

What the importer’s paperwork has to show

The unitized wall modules page lists information the import documentation should contain, and says failure to provide it may lead to penalties under the Administrative Monetary Penalty System. It includes confirmation of whether the product is subject to the duties, the name and address of the producer and of the vendor, the exporter ID, a full product description including the name and location of the project the goods are for, the expected completion date of the project, the model, the quantity of each type of module in both total square metres and number of modules, whether the shipment is the last for the project, the dates of contract, sale and shipment, unit and total selling prices, currency, terms of sale and all costs from the point of direct shipment.

The aluminum extrusions page lists similar items, including the model description and a physical description of the shape of the extrusions, the alloy and the finish. The CBSA states that CARM, its assessment system, calculates SIMA duties automatically in most cases but that the importer remains responsible for verifying the amounts and self-declaring correct ones.

What to ask a China maker before you order

• System type: a written statement whether the quoted system is unitized, stick-built or point-fixed, with section drawings.
• Scope of supply: what is included with the modules, such as infill, fasteners, operators, sunshades and anchors, because the definition lists them.
• Quantities in both units: square metres and number of modules for each type, per shipment, and a statement whether a shipment is the last for the project.
• Exporter status: whether the maker has been issued its own normal value and amount of subsidy for the product, with its exporter ID if so.
• Extrusion details: alloy, temper, finish, wall thickness and profile dimensions of the extrusions in the quoted system or supplied loose.
• Finish evidence: where an exclusion depends on a certified finish, the certificate for that finish, matched to the product.
• Documents: who prepares the invoice and packing list with the project details the CBSA asks for.

Agree who is the importer of record before the order, and ask the Canadian customs broker to review the quotation and the drawings. The duties are assessed on the import, so a price quoted without this review can be misleading when you compare systems.

Sources and how this article was checked

Read on 9 October 2026: CBSA, Aluminum extrusions: Measures in force (page modified 2025-10-08) and CBSA, Unitized wall modules: Measures in force (page modified 2024-11-01). Rates, exporter lists and dates change when the CBSA or the CITT issues new decisions, so confirm them before ordering. FBM Sourcing does not give legal or customs advice.

Questions buyers ask about Canadian duties on façade products from China

Does Canada charge anti-dumping duty on curtain wall from China?

The CBSA has a measure in force on unitized wall modules from China, which it describes as including the curtainwall and window wall styles. Stick systems and point-fixing systems are excluded by the definition, so the construction of the system decides the treatment.

What rates apply to unitized wall modules?

The CBSA page read on 9 October 2026 shows anti-dumping duty of 120% of the export price and countervailing duty of 458.31 renminbi per square metre for exporters without their own normal value and amount of subsidy. Two named exporters have specific values, so ask the maker which applies.

Are aluminum extrusions for windows covered?

The aluminum extrusions definition is based on alloy, finish, wall thickness, weight per meter and profile size, and lists exclusions for named end uses. Read the definition and the exclusion list against your profiles, and ask a Canadian customs broker to confirm.

Who pays the duty?

The duty is assessed on the import. The CBSA says the importer is responsible for verifying the amounts assessed, so agree in the contract who is the importer of record.

How does FBM Sourcing help with a project like this?

We review the brief, collect comparable quotations and manage the package for the project. For suppliers you nominate, we charge a 5% commission; for products we source for you, we quote a direct price. Our own team performs one inspection after bulk production is complete and before shipment, and the client’s project team is welcome to attend. We do not give legal or customs advice.

FBM Sourcing manages the entire China procurement package for overseas construction projects. We work with Developers · General Contractors · Builders · Commercial Project Owners · Interior Design & Construction Companies · FF&E Solution Providers.