Effective Aug. 22, 2026, new U.S. tariffs on a range of Canadian goods took effect, imposing an additional 50 per cent tariff on specified Canadian products entering the United States.

Some horticultural products are included on the U.S. tariff list, such as:  

  • Certain bulbs and planting material
  • Unrooted cuttings and slips
  • Mosses and lichens
  • Certain ornamental foliage
  • Certain seeds

This is not a complete list. View the full U.S. tariff list here: here. 

What do the new tariffs mean for our industry?

The Canada-U.S. horticultural sector is closely connected. Canadian growers and suppliers sell into the U.S., while businesses on both sides of the border rely on each other for products, plant material, customers and suppliers.

That means the effects of the tariffs can reach well beyond the business that pays the tariff. For example, a Canadian exporter could see changes in demand or pricing from a U.S. customer. At the same time, a U.S. grower or retailer that relies on Canadian plant material could face higher costs or have difficulty finding comparable products.

For businesses exporting affected products, review the U.S. tariff list and confirm the classification and tariff treatment of your products with your customs broker or trade adviser. The 50 per cent tariff is paid by the U.S. importer, but that additional cost can still affect purchasing decisions, demand and pricing.

The same applies to Canadian businesses that buy products and inputs from the U.S. If those products are included in Canada’s counter-tariffs, businesses could see their costs increase.

What about CUSMA?

CUSMA eligibility does not exempt products specifically covered by the new Section 338 tariffs.

What is the Canadian government’s response?

Canada has announced dollar-for-dollar counter-tariffs on selected U.S. goods beginning Sept. 8, 2026, although the detailed Canadian product list has not yet been released.

This will also be important for businesses that purchase products and inputs from the United States. Landscape Ontario will review the Canadian product list when it is released and communicate any implications for our members.

Landscape Ontario will continue to monitor developments and keep members informed.

SHARE