# Countervailing Duty

*Last updated: 2026-06-26*

> Countervailing duties are levied by customs authorities when an exporting country subsidises its producers through state support — export credits, tax relief, or preferential input pricing — enabling imported goods to enter the market at artificially low prices.

Countervailing duties are levied by customs authorities when an exporting country subsidises its producers through state support — export credits, tax relief, or preferential input pricing — enabling imported goods to enter the market at artificially low prices. The duty is set at the level of the subsidy established during the investigation, with the aim of restoring competitive parity for domestic industry. It differs from an anti-dumping duty in its legal basis: anti-dumping targets prices below normal value, while a countervailing duty addresses the government measure that underpins those prices. WTO members may impose such duties following a formal complaint and a structured investigation; the measure stays in force for as long as the actionable subsidy continues. Importers should be aware that landed costs can rise sharply at short notice once proceedings are opened.

**Source:** [https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/scm_e/scm_e.htm](https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/scm_e/scm_e.htm)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Countervailing Duty |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 134 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-26 |
| Source | https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/scm_e/scm_e.htm |

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