Canada's import quota for Chinese-built electric vehicles has surpassed 40%, with 9,813 vehicles imported out of a 24,500-unit maximum allocation during the first period from March to August. July was the busiest month with 5,682 vehicles cleared, and unused quota will carry over to the second period starting September 2026.
- Chinese EV quota utilization reached 40.1% with 9,813 vehicles imported out of 24,500 available units
- July was the peak month with 5,682 vehicles cleared, representing 57.9% of total utilization to date
- Electric passenger cars at $35,000 or less remain the largest category with 4,928 total imports
- Remaining 14,687 units will carry over to the second period (September 2026 to February 2027) with a new base allocation of 24,500 vehicles
- Non-plug-in hybrid SUVs above $35,000 represent a new tariff classification, with 259 vehicles imported in July
The import quota for Chinese-built electric vehicles in Canada passed the 40% mark at the end of last month, according to a report from Global Affairs Canada.
Of the 24,500-unit maximum quota for Chinese EVs, 9,813 were imported in the first period, from March 1 to August 31, accounting for 40.1% of the available allocation. With less than one month until the first window closes, the remaining quota is 14,687.
July was the busiest month, clearing 5,682 vehicles, or 57.9% of utilization recorded to date. May was the second busiest month, although significantly fewer vehicles were cleared at 3,510 units, and June saw 621 vehicles cleared.
The report categorizes utilization into four tariff classifications — electric passenger cars with a customs value of $35,000 or less, electric passenger cars above $35,000, electric SUVs and passenger vans above $35,000 and non-plug-in hybrid SUVs and passenger vans above $35,000 — with the hybrid category a new addition.
The value thresholds are the customs value declared at import, and not the retail price paid.
In July, 259 vehicles, consisting of non-plug-in hybrid SUVs and passenger vans with a spark-ignition engine, entered at a customs value of above $35,000.
Electric passenger cars at $35,000 or less remain the largest category, with the data reporting that
465 first arrived in June, since reaching a total of 4,928 as of July 31. Electric passenger cars declared above $35,000 totalled 4,582, while 44 electric SUVs and passenger vans above $35,000 were cleared.
Any unused quota on August 31 will carry over into the second six-month period running from September 1 to February 28, 2027, which starts with its own 24,500-vehicle base. Based on previous months, the second window could open with an allocation of approximately 34,000 vehicles if vehicles clear at around the same rate in August.
