The Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) reported last week that it has started an investigation into the dumping of leather footwear with metal toecaps from the People's Republic of China.

The CCRA started the investigation after receiving a complaint filed by the Shoe Manufacturers' Association of Canada in Beaconsfield, Quebec. The Association alleges that the dumping of the goods is causing harm to Canadian producers in the form of declining market share and lost sales, declining gross margin and price suppression, and reduced employment and reduced capacity utilisation.

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal will now begin a preliminary enquiry into whether the imports are harming Canadian producers of leather footwear with metal toecaps. The Tribunal will issue a decision within 60 days. While the Tribunal is examining the question of injury, the CCRA will investigate whether the imports are being dumped, and will make a preliminary decision within 90 days.