Tariff FAQ

Message from Our CEO

Dear Customers,

Like you, we are concerned about the impact the trade war with the United States will have on our businesses and Canada. We are closely monitoring the situation as it is evolving rapidly. Unfortunately, we are once again facing a time of uncertainty. We worked together to get through the pandemic, and I am sure we can also get through this, as well.

We will be continually identifying products that will be impacted as the tariff landscape changes and plan to communicate any relevant information to you in a timely manner. Due to the integrated nature of trade across nations and the composition of products affected, the full impact of any tariffs may differ from the initial face value of the posted tariff rate. Rest assured that our goal is to minimize the disruption to your business and provide solutions to this challenging situation.

Bartle & Gibson is proud to be a Canadian owned and operated company supporting Canadian businesses. I look forward to working with our customers and supplier partners to overcome this challenge and ensure our mutual success.

Sincerely,

Martin Lower, CEO
Bartle & Gibson Co. Ltd.

Manufacturer Tariff Updates

Stay up to date with the latest tariff communications directly from our manufacturing partners.

Tariff FAQs



What changed with Canadian tariffs on September 1, 2025?

As of September 1, 2025, Canada has removed most of the counter tariffs it introduced in March 2025 on U.S. imports. This recognizes the U.S.’s approach to allow most Canadian goods to enter the U.S. tariff-free under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).

However, tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles remain in place while Canada and the U.S. continue intensive negotiations. These tariffs remain because the U.S. still applies duties on these sectors without providing exemptions for CUSMA-compliant goods.

Is Bartle & Gibson a Canadian Company?

We are a privately owned, 100% Canadian organization that our customers, suppliers, and employees have come to trust for 81 years.

What is a tariff and who pays it?

A tariff is a tax on products coming from another country. This restricts trade and limits the free flow of goods between countries. A tariff is set by an importing country as a percentage of the import’s value.

Domestic companies that import products into the country must pay a tariff upfront. For example, U.S. companies must pay the recently announced tariffs on Canadian products that they import into the United States. Similarly, Canadian companies must pay Canadian tariff amounts that our country has placed on U.S. imports, in response to the recent U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods. These extra charges are often passed onto consumers.

How are these tariffs applied?

Most vendors are the importer of record for the products coming into Canada. In these instances, they are handling the tariffs via price increases. They do not always pass on the full 25% tariff. This can be due to the tariff only applying to a component of the finished good or the vendor deciding to take on some extra cost to remain competitive in the Canadian market. Other vendors may utilize a surcharge. In some cases we are the importer of record. In these instances we remit the full tariff amount of the tariff to the Canadian government.

How long are these tariffs expected to last?

The duration of the tariffs is uncertain and depends on the ongoing relations between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and other trading partners. Governments are at various stages of discussions, but currently there is no definitive timeline established to permanently remove the recent tariffs.

Where can I find more industry insights and updates on this situation?

You can review Crane Worldwide Logistics’ summary on America First Trade Policy & Tariffs for industry insights.

What are the U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods?
U.S. Tariffs on Canadian GoodsAmountAnnouncedStatus
Tariffs on steel and aluminum products exported from Canada into the U.S.25%
Cumulative 50% on steel; 35% on aluminum		March 11, 2025Active – effective March 12, 2025
Tariffs on all goods exported from Canada into the U.S.25% Goods non-compliant with USMCA;
10% Energy and potash non-compliant with USMCA		March 4, 2025Active
What are the Canadian tariffs on U.S. goods?
Canadian Tariffs on U.S. GoodsAmountAnnouncedStatus
Most counter tariffs introduced in March 2025 on U.S. goodsRemovedSeptember 1, 2025Ended – in recognition of U.S. tariff-free access for most Canadian goods under CUSMA.
Tariffs remain on steel, aluminum, and automobiles.
Phase 2 counter tariffs on $125 billion of goods and services25%March 4, 2025Ended – withdrawn September 1, 2025 for most goods. Tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles remain active.
Counter tariffs on $29.8 billion in steel, aluminum and other products imported from the U.S. into Canada25%March 12, 2025Active – effective March 13, 2025. List of goods subject to tariffs here. Still in place until the U.S. eliminates its tariffs against Canadian steel and aluminum products.
Phase 1 counter tariffs on $30 billion in products imported from the U.S. into Canada25%March 4, 2025Ended – withdrawn September 1, 2025 for most goods. Tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles remain active. List of goods subject to tariffs here.