Canada news
Tesla halts Model 3 Premium orders in Canada, saying its import quota is exhausted—even though more than 33,000 slots remain
Published 2026-09-05 · Updated 2026-10-14
Tesla has paused orders for the Model 3 Premium in Canada, saying strong demand has used up its allocation under the federal government’s quota for Chinese electric vehicle imports. The latest government figures, however, show that nearly the entire overall quota remains available.
A notice appeared on Tesla’s Canadian website on Monday afternoon, stating:
“Model 3 Premium orders paused after high demand exhausted Tesla’s import quota. Ordering resumes if Govt of Canada issues more quota, expected March 2027.”
Both Premium variants are now unavailable to order, including the Rear-Wheel Drive model, which starts at $39,490. The U.S.-sourced Model 3 Performance remains available, with a starting price of $74,990.
Update
A response from Global Affairs
In response to questions from Media, Global Affairs Canada spokesperson Rachael Dolan said the department is consulting with companies on how to distribute the remaining quota and reviewing its implementation to inform a longer-term policy supporting joint-venture investment in Canada.
Dolan did not confirm or deny whether Tesla faces a company-specific limit, citing commercial confidentiality:
“While we can provide information on overall volumes, we do not disclose the names of companies or details of any shipments, including anticipated quota use, due to commercial confidentiality considerations.”
Over 33,000 import spots remain available
Canada’s October 9 EICS report shows 33,069 of 33,397 quota spots remain available. In the first six-month window, from March to August 2026, just 15,603 of 24,500 spots were claimed, with Tesla accounting for the majority.
Notice to Importers 1168 provides for first-come, first-served permits, with no publicly announced per-automaker cap. Section 3.4.6 allows the department to reserve quota for equitable access, including for automakers, but no such set-aside has been publicly announced.
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