The United States will remove additional 50% tariffs on certain Canadian refrigeration and freezing equipment effective October 30, 2026. The exemptions are part of broader trade measures intended to reduce equipment and material costs for US agricultural businesses.
US Senator Susan Collins of Maine announced the changes on October 23 following discussions with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and other administration officials. The White House subsequently confirmed the measures in a presidential proclamation.
Refrigeration and freezing equipment is among nine product categories identified for tariff relief. Other categories include agricultural cleaning, sorting and grading machinery, packaging equipment and plastic containers used by Maine’s blueberry, potato, apple and seaweed industries. According to Collins, agricultural producers often rely on specialized Canadian equipment and materials that are difficult or expensive to replace with US-made alternatives.
The changes could benefit Canadian refrigeration equipment manufacturers supplying the US market and American agricultural businesses investing in cold storage, freezing systems and temperature-controlled processing facilities.
Under the presidential proclamation signed October 23, designated Canadian products will be exempt from additional 50% tariffs imposed under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930. The exemptions take effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on October 30, 2026.
The exemptions apply only to specified product classifications and do not necessarily remove other import duties. Exporters and importers should verify the applicable Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) codes to determine whether their equipment qualifies.
