Retaliatory tariffs would apply to online shoppers and U.S. travellers: CBSA

Canadian and American flags fly near the Ambassador Bridge at the Canada/USA border crossing in Windsor, Ont. (Rob Gurdebeke/The Canadian Press)

Note: Canada, U.S. agree to delay potential tariffs by “at least 30 days,” according to both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Donald Trump.

Retaliatory tariffs will apply to online shoppers and U.S. travellers, in addition to commercial shipments, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) confirmed Sunday.

According to a notice from the CBSA, 25 per cent tariffs on certain U.S. goods will go into effect on Feb. 4.

“The surtax will apply to goods imported for commercial and personal purposes, even when exported from a country other than the U.S. into Canada,” the CBSA notice explained.

Goods imported to Canada by mail or courier, as well as goods imported by individual travellers above their personal exemptions, are included in the retaliatory measures, the CBSA says. That means cross-border shoppers and online purchases from the U.S. could be subject to Canadian tariffs.

According to Canada’s finance department, targeted American goods include orange juice, peanut butter, wine, spirits, beer, coffee, appliances, apparel, footwear, motorcycles, cosmetics, and pulp and paper.