As you are aware, we have been working to understand how tariffs can influence the pet industry and what we can do to mitigate the impacts of this measure. Indeed, Pets Canada has received many inquiries from members, expressing their concerns about tariffs to the extent some businesses are concerned they may not survive as they are being hit from both sides. Despite the one month delay in the implementation of tariffs being imposed on Canada, it is important that we continue to share information with our government about the impact this situation has on pet businesses.
The remissions process launched by the Department of Finance has been identified as a solution that we encourage you to consider if you are being impacted by tariffs. As of March 4, 2025, in an effort to support companies registered in Canada, the federal government will consider remission requests for the tariffs on products from the United States (U.S.). Under specific circumstances, remission allows for relief from the payment of tariffs, or the refund of tariffs already paid.
To help you navigate, we have summarized some of the most recent information available to help inform and guide you through your next steps.
- Process for requesting remission of tariffs that apply on certain goods from the U.S.
- Notice of Intent to Impose Countermeasures in Response to United States Tariffs on Canadian Goods
- How to strengthen our collective pet sector lobbying efforts
1. Process for requesting remission of tariffs that apply on certain goods from the U.S.
Before sitting down to apply for tariff remission, here is some of the information Pets Canada members should prepare in advance to ensure a smooth and efficient application process. The Department of Finance requires a detailed submission, including your business number, a description of the goods for which remission is sought (including the 8-digit tariff classification code), and documentation of the import volume and value.
Businesses must also provide evidence demonstrating the inability to source the goods from within Canada or from non-U.S. suppliers, such as supplier correspondence or request-for-proposal documents. If your company has contractual obligations requiring the use of tariffed goods, these should also be included. Additionally, applicants must outline the economic impact of the tariffs, including potential job losses or financial strain on their operations. Any confidential business information should be clearly marked in the submission. Gathering this information ahead of time will help streamline the application process and strengthen your case for remission.
Access the full remissions process:
Process for requesting remission of tariffs that apply on certain goods from the U.S. – Canada.ca
2. Notice of Intent to Impose Countermeasures in Response to United States Tariffs on Canadian Goods
The Government of Canada has released a list of additional tariffs being considered as countermeasures to U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods. These proposed tariffs could impact a wide range of products, including raw materials, manufactured goods, and consumer items—many of which are essential to the pet industry. Since these measures may have direct and significant consequences for our sector, Pets Canada strongly encourages its members to take action by reviewing the list and submitting feedback to the federal government. The more responses the government receives from our industry, the more effective our collective voice will be in shaping the final decisions. Every submission counts.
3. Help us lobby – Strengthen our collective pet sector lobbying effort
- There are specific products that you oppose being included in the countermeasures, please let us know as well. This will allow us to incorporate your concerns into our formal submission to the federal government before the March 25 consultation deadline.
- We also urge you to fill out the consultation form directly—the more responses, the greater the impact.
Access the full list of proposed tariffs and submit your feedback:
Notice of Intent to Impose Countermeasures in Response to United States Tariffs on Canadian Goods – Canada.ca
How to Submit Your Feedback
The consultation includes an open-ended question where you can express your concerns about the tariffs. Below are some suggested phrases to help ensure a strong and unified message from the pet industry. Feel free to copy, modify, and personalize these responses to best reflect your business.
Survey Question:
“Please share your reasons for the expressed support for, or concern with, a potential tariff in response to U.S. tariffs, and any other comments.”
Suggested General Responses:
- Tariffs imposed on the pet industry will hurt small businesses, cause job losses, and push manufacturing and investment out of Canada.
- Consumers, already struggling with a cost-of-living crisis, will bear the burden of these added costs on essential pet products.
- Canadians should not be faced with further financial pressures that impact their ability to care for their pets.
- Nearly 55% of Canadian households own pets, and 30% of pet owners have already reported difficulties affording pet food due to rising costs.
- Dog and cat food exports from Canada to the U.S. are valued at approximately $560 million annually, while Canada imports roughly $900 million in pet food from the U.S. The U.S. remains the largest source of imported pet food for Canadian families.
- The Government of Canada must take proactive measures to support the pet industry during this period of uncertainty. This includes, but is not limited to, the inclusion of vital pet goods in the federal remission process and increased investment in domestic manufacturing to improve competitiveness.
Suggested Business-Specific Responses:
- A significant portion of my business relies on trade with the United States. The added costs from tariffs threaten the long-term sustainability of our operations and will directly increase costs for Canadian consumers.
- Even the speculation of tariffs has already had negative impacts on my business, including:
- Lower customer demand
- Increased costs for goods and supplies
- Contract/order cancellations or delays
- Disruptions in supply chains
- Add any additional impacts specific to your business
By taking a few moments to complete the consultation, you can help ensure the pet industry’s concerns are heard at the federal level. Together, we can make a difference.
Access the Comment Submission Form on Tariffs:
While we keep exploring diverse solution to help Pets Canada members overcome this challenge, we would love to hear from you on how tariffs can affect your business. Please take a few moments to complete our survey if you haven’t already done so:
- Manufacturer & Distributor Survey – Take the Survey
- Retail & Service Survey – Take the Survey
