Tesla has paused orders for the Model 3 Premium in Canada, saying it has used up its quota for importing Chinese-made electric vehicles. The pause covers the rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions, which are built in Shanghai and were listed at $39,490 CAD. Tesla’s site says “Ordering resumes if Govt of Canada issues more quota, expected March 2027.” The Performance AWD is now the only Model 3 buyers can order there.
What the government data shows
Canada cut its tariff on Chinese-made EVs from 100% to 6.1% in January and capped imports at 49,000 vehicles a year. The government’s quota tracker, last updated October 9, lists 15,931 permits used since March 1 and 33,069 still available out of 49,000. On paper, then, the quota is not gone.
Permits are handed out first come, first served, with no limit per manufacturer. Ottawa’s notice also says it may set aside part of the quota for other carmakers, including new entrants. Tesla has not said whether that is why its orders stopped.
Why it matters
Before the China-built trims arrived, the cheapest Model 3 in Canada was the $79,990 Long Range AWD. It is built in California and hit by Canada’s 25% counter-tariff on U.S.-made vehicles. With the Premium paused, the low-priced way into a new Model 3 is closed until the quota changes.
Our take: Tesla’s statement and the public tracker have not been reconciled. The tracker may lag, or part of the quota may be held back, but Tesla has not explained. The gap is worth watching because the cheapest Model 3 in the country depends on it. Watch for an updated tracker, a Tesla statement, or Ottawa publishing how the quota is split. For how Tesla’s China-made cars are selling elsewhere, see Tesla’s China-Made Sales Rise 5%, but Exports Drive Growth.
