Tesla halts Canadian orders for the $39,490 Model 3 Premium, blaming its import quota as federal data shows 33,069 permits left

Tesla has stopped taking new Canadian orders for its lower-priced Model 3 Premium, saying strong demand used up its share of the federal quota for electric vehicles built in China. A banner that appeared on Tesla’s Canadian website on Monday reads: “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,” according to Drive Tesla Canada and TeslaNorth.

Both Premium versions are affected: the rear-wheel-drive model, which started at $39,490, and the all-wheel-drive model at $49,990, AutoIgloo reported. That leaves the U.S.-built Model 3 Performance, listed at $74,990, as the only Model 3 Canadians can configure on Tesla’s site, a $35,500 jump from the cheapest Premium trim.

The pause stems from Canada’s arrangement with China, in effect since March 1, 2026, which lets up to 49,000 Chinese-made electric vehicles a year enter at the 6.1 per cent most-favoured-nation tariff. Importers need a permit for each shipment, and permits are handed out first come, first served under Notice to Importers No. 1168, according to Global Affairs Canada.

Federal figures do not obviously match Tesla’s explanation. The department’s utilization report, updated Oct. 9, shows 15,931 vehicles counted against the first-year limit of 49,000, leaving 33,069 permits unused. Drive Tesla Canada noted that only 328 vehicles had been imported in the second six-month window, which opened Sept. 1, and that the framework does not currently set limits for individual manufacturers, although Ottawa has reserved the ability to introduce them. The outlet said it had asked Global Affairs Canada for clarification.

Tesla’s March 2027 date lines up with the start of the next quota year on March 1. AutoIgloo reported that the overall quota is set to rise 6.5 per cent to 52,185 vehicles in year two, but that a larger national allowance would not by itself determine how much access Tesla gets or when ordering reopens.

Several questions remain open. TeslaNorth said Tesla has not said whether undelivered Model 3 Premium orders are affected, whether any Premium inventory cars remain for sale, or whether the Performance trim could face a similar limit later.

Sources: Global Affairs Canada, electric vehicle imports from China; Global Affairs Canada, Notice to Importers No. 1168; Drive Tesla Canada (Oct. 12, 2026); TeslaNorth (Oct. 12, 2026); AutoIgloo (Oct. 12, 2026).