Global Affairs Canada has responded to questions surrounding Tesla’s exhausted Model 3 import allocation, but stopped short of explaining why the automaker has paused orders in Canada despite more than 33,000 Chinese EV import spots remaining available.
In an exclusive statement, the department confirmed with Drive Tesla it is consulting with automakers on how to distribute the remaining quota, but would not say whether Tesla is subject to a company-specific limit.
Global Affairs Canada responds
On Monday Tesla stopped accepting new orders for the Model 3 Premium in Canada, both the Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) and All-Wheel Drive (AWD) variants, telling customers it has exhausted its allocation under Canada’s Chinese electric vehicle import quota.
Drive Tesla reached out to Global Affairs Canada to clarify whether the government has introduced limits on how many vehicles individual automakers can import.
Spokesperson Rachael Dolan confirmed the department is reviewing how the remaining quota is distributed.
“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.”
However, Dolan did not confirm or deny whether Tesla is subject to a company-specific limit.
“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.”
More than 33,000 import spots remain available
Tesla’s decision to stop accepting orders comes despite Canada’s October 9 Export and Import Controls System (EICS) report showing 33,069 of 33,397 quota spots remain available. During the first six-month window, from March to August 2026, just 15,603 of the 24,500 available spots were claimed, with Tesla accounting for the majority.
Under the government’s Notice to Importers 1168, import permits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis, with no publicly announced per-automaker cap.
However, section 3.4.6 allows Global Affairs Canada to reserve portions of the quota to ensure equitable access, including for original equipment manufacturers. No such set-aside has been publicly announced.
When will Model 3 orders resume in Canada?
The uncertainty comes as Tesla’s Shanghai-built Model 3 Premium RWD, priced at $39,490 in Canada, has been a key part of its more affordable lineup.
According to the message on Tesla’s website, orders may not resume until March 2027, when the first year of Canada’s Chinese EV import quota program ends and the government could make additional allocations available.
The Performance variant remains the only Model 3 currently available to order as that vehicle is sourced from Tesla’s Fremont factory in the U.S., and not China.
Related Articles:
- Tesla pauses Model 3 Premium orders in Canada, citing exhausted import quota despite over 33,000 spots remaining
- Canada may cap Tesla’s access to 49,000 Chinese EV import quota
- Canada’s Chinese EV quota ends first window with nearly 9,000 spots unused
- Tesla already takes over 10% of Canada’s Chinese-EV import quota in first window
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