Canada Sets 49,000-Unit Annual Quota for Chinese EV Imports at 6.1% Tariff

Canada approved a new annual quota of up to 49,000 Chinese-made electric vehicles at a 6.1% tariff following an agreement by Prime Minister Mark Carney in January 2025. The quota took effect in March, with 24,500 permits available on a first-come-first-served basis until August 31, and the government is weighing company-specific caps for the period after that date. As of the article's publication, none of the permits had been used.

Quota Structure and Eligible Importers

The quota opens the Canadian market to BYD, Chery, and Tesla, replacing an earlier effective duty of approximately 106.1% that had nearly eliminated Chinese EV imports. The government plans to reserve half of the annual quota for vehicles priced below C$35,000 within five years, aiming to broaden access to the permits.

Market Response and Pricing

Tesla has already responded to the tariff changes by adjusting its Canadian pricing strategy. The company recently advertised a Model 3 in Canada for C$42,132 after delivery fees, representing a sharp cut from its earlier list price. Tesla shifted production of the new Model 3 Premium Rear-Wheel Drive model from its Fremont, California facility to its Shanghai factory, with the vehicle now starting at C$39,490 in Canada. However, vehicles manufactured in China do not qualify for Canada's C$5,000 Electric Vehicle Affordability Program rebate, as China is not a free-trade partner.

Broader Trade Context

The EV quota is part of a wider trade arrangement with China that also covers agricultural products and investment. According to the article, China is expected to ease trade barriers and tariffs on Canadian rapeseed and certain seafood products as part of the deal. Canadian officials indicated that the arrangement aims to attract more Chinese joint-venture investment into Canada with trusted partners, including projects linked to the EV supply chain.

The quota could enable other Chinese EV makers to enter the Canadian market; BYD, for example, has announced plans to establish 20 Canadian dealerships within a year. US tariffs continue to restrict these vehicles from entering the American market.