Tesla has stopped taking orders for the Model 3 Premium in Canada, Electrek reported on 13 October 2026 [1]. The Model 3 Premium is built in Shanghai and was launched in Canada at $39,490 CAD.
According to Electrek, Tesla’s Canadian order page now shows this message: “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” [1].
Electrek said both Premium versions, rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, have been removed. The only Model 3 Canadians can order now is the Performance AWD [1].
Why there is a quota
In January, Canada cut its tariff on Chinese-made electric cars from 100% to 6.1%, but capped imports at 49,000 vehicles a year, Electrek explained [1]. The quota year runs from March to February, which is why Tesla points to March 2027 for more permits.
Electrek said Global Affairs Canada’s notice gives out permits “on a first-come, first-served” basis, with no limit per carmaker written into it [1].
What the government tracker shows
Electrek’s analysis of Canada’s Export and Import Controls tracker, updated on 9 October, suggests the quota is far from used up [1]:
- 15,931 permits have been used since 1 March.
- That leaves 33,069, about 67% of the year’s 49,000, still available.
- Imports of electric cars in the price band a Model 3 Premium falls into jumped from 465 in June to 4,743 in July and 2,597 in August, then dropped to seven in September and zero in October so far.
Electrek’s reading is that Tesla went from importing thousands of cars a month to almost none while two-thirds of the national quota was still open.
Electrek’s explanation
Electrek points to one line in the government’s notice. It says the department may monitor applications to provide “equitable access” and “could include setting aside a portion of the available quota” for carmakers, including new entrants [1]. Electrek’s interpretation is that Ottawa may have limited Tesla’s share to leave room for rivals such as BYD and Geely. The government has not said this, and it has not published any company-by-company allocation.
Electrek also noted another possibility: Tesla’s existing order backlog may already cover all the permits it expects to receive before February [1].
Electrek’s report included no comment from Tesla or Global Affairs Canada.
What this means
- Canadian buyers wait. The cheapest Model 3 can’t be ordered until more quota is available, which Tesla expects in March 2027.
- The numbers don’t obviously match. Tesla says its quota is used up, but Electrek’s reading of the government’s tracker shows most of the national quota unused.
- The reason is not confirmed. Whether Canada set Tesla its own limit has not been made public.
Sources
- Electrek (Fred Lambert), “Tesla pauses Model 3 orders in Canada amid China EV quota”, 13 October 2026. https://electrek.co/2026/10/13/tesla-model-3-canada-orders-paused-china-import-quota/
