Tesla has quietly removed all Model 3 inventory from its Canadian website. The change happened over the weekend, just hours before Ottawa reopened the door to Chinese-built electric vehicles (EVs).
After the update, customers visiting Tesla’s Canadian website can no longer see any existing Model 3 inventory across the country, based on a review of major markets by Drive Tesla. While not officially confirmed by Tesla, the Model 3 inventory units that were visible and available for purchase on the automaker’s website last week are being sent back to the United States.
The option to order a new vehicle is still available, but only accessible if you have the direct URL to the configurator, and prices are still tariff-inflated, starting at $79,990. This is not new however, as the option to custom build a new car with tariff pricing has been hidden for several months.
So why did all of this happen over the weekend? Last week the Government of Canada published a notice under the Export and Import Permits Act last week confirming that, beginning March 1, 2026, up to 49,000 Chinese-built EVs per year can enter Canada under a reduced 6.1% “most-favoured-nation tariff.”
For the first six months of the quota year (March 1 to August 31), 24,500 vehicles will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis, with shipment-specific import permits required.
With the quota now live and import permits being issued, Tesla is likely already well on its way to securing permits to bring China-built Model 3 vehicles to Canada, and will undoubtedly update its website with revised pricing, and potentially new Model 3 variants, soon.
If we are correct and Tesla is moving to shift to a Chinese supply, the automaker could potentially secure all of the first 24,500 vehicles allowed into the country thanks to its first-mover advantage, leaving others without the ability to import a Chinese-made EV until September.
After September, a second quota of 24,500 vehicles will be opened for the second half of the quota year, along with any unused quota from the first window. This may not be all bad news however, as this will give Chinese automakers such as BYD, which is already cleared to sell its cars in Canada, more time to set up its dealer and service network in Canada.
Historically, Canadian-bound Model 3 units have been sourced primarily from the United States, although they did come from China for a brief period in 2023 until the government imposed the now-repealed 100% tariff.
