Global Affairs Canada Responds to Tesla Model 3 Import Pause

Global Affairs Canada says it is consulting with automakers to optimize the remaining Chinese EV import quota, as Tesla has paused new orders for the Model 3 Premium in Canada citing exhausted allocation.

What Global Affairs said

In an exclusive statement to Drive Tesla, spokesperson Rachael Dolan said: “Global Affairs Canada is consulting with interested companies to optimize remaining quota availability and evaluate the quota’s implementation to inform a longer-term policy designed to catalyze new joint-venture investment on Canadian soil, with Canadian supply chains, and Canadian workers.”

The department declined to confirm or deny 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.”

Quota status

According to the October 9 Export and Import Controls System report, 33,069 of 33,397 quota spots remain available. In the first six-month window from March to August 2026, 15,603 of 24,500 spots were claimed, with Tesla accounting for the majority.

Import permits are issued first-come, first-served under Notice to Importers 1168. Section 3.4.6 allows Global Affairs to reserve portions of the quota for equitable access, though no set-aside has been publicly announced.

Impact on buyers

The Shanghai-built Model 3 Premium RWD is priced at $39,490 in Canada. Tesla says orders may not resume until March 2027, when the first year of the quota program ends. The Performance variant remains available as it is sourced from Fremont, U.S.

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