Harley-Davidson motorcycles built in the United States are facing a 50% Canadian tariff. Introduced by Canada on September 8, the measure applies to motorcycles with internal-combustion engines larger than 800cc. It reaches almost the entire Harley-Davidson range and most of Indian Motorcycle’s line-up.

The duty is calculated against the imported motorcycle’s customs value rather than being added automatically in full to its retail price. Manufacturers, distributors and dealers therefore have to decide how much of the extra cost they will absorb and how much they will pass on to buyers. A doubling of showroom prices, while possible, is consequently not a guaranteed outcome.

Robb Hertzog, co-owner of Prairie Harley-Davidson in Regina, Saskatchewan, warned that the change could have serious consequences for his dealership. He estimated that prices could double in the worst-case scenario, putting further pressure on demand. Hertzog also said his business has no Canadian alternative for the US-built products it imports, leaving it with little room to switch its range.

The tariff arrives after a weaker period for Harley-Davidson in Canada. The company sold 6,434 motorcycles in the country during 2025, accounting for nearly five per cent of its global retail sales. Its first-half 2026 sales reached 3,735 motorcycles, down from 3,912 in the same period of 2025. With the new duties in place, matching 2025’s full-year sales looks difficult, while the strain on prices and dealerships is likely to increase.