Canadian authorities have launched investigations into allegations that paperboard cups and containers imported from China are being dumped, subsidized or both.
The Canada Border Services Agency initiated the investigations on August 17 following a complaint from Great Pacific Enterprises Limited Partnership, also known as Genpak, a Mississauga-based producer.
The products covered by the proceedings are disposable paperboard cups and containers used to serve hot or cold beverages and food. The Canadian market for these products is estimated at approximately C$289 million annually.
According to information submitted with the complaint, Genpak accounts for the majority of Canadian production in this category. The company alleges that rising volumes of imports from China have undercut domestic prices and caused price depression, lost sales, declining market share and lower margins.
The complaint also cites reduced capacity utilization and employment, as well as adverse effects on investment. These claims have not yet been proven and will be assessed through separate investigations conducted by the CBSA and the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT).
The CITT opened a preliminary injury inquiry on August 18. It is expected to determine by October 16 whether there is a reasonable indication that the alleged dumping and subsidizing have caused or threaten to cause injury to Canadian producers.
The CBSA, meanwhile, will examine whether the goods were sold in Canada below fair value or benefited from government subsidies. Its preliminary determinations are scheduled for November 16, provided the case proceeds beyond the Tribunal’s initial review.
If the Tribunal finds a reasonable indication of injury, the CBSA will continue its investigations. Should the CBSA issue affirmative preliminary dumping or subsidy determinations, the CITT would then launch a final injury inquiry under Canada’s Special Import Measures Act.
The paperboard case brings the CBSA’s 2026 activity to a combined 14 dumping and subsidy investigations involving seven product categories. In 2025, the agency initiated 33 such investigations covering nine products.
