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Import of Electric Vehicles from the People’s Republic of China – Serial No.  1162

Date: February 25, 2026

The purpose of this Notice is to inform importers of the rules and procedures governing the administration of the quota for imports of electric vehicles (EVs) from the People’s Republic of China (China).

This Notice is provided pursuant to the authority of the Export and Import Permits Act (EIPA) and its corresponding regulations, and remains in effect until further notice.

Table of contents

1. Definitions

1.1 EVs: Items 195 (1) to (3) of the Import Control List, namely vehicles that originate in China and are classified under tariff item 8702.20.10, 8702.20.20, 8702.30.10, 8702.30.20, 8702.40.10, 8702.40.20, 8702.90.10, 8702.90.20, 8703.40.10, 8703.40.90, 8703.50.00, 8703.60.10, 8703.60.90, 8703.70.00, 8703.80.00, 8703.90.00, 8704.41.90, 8704.42.00, 8704.43.00, 8704.51.00, 8704.52.00, 8704.60.00, 8704.90.00, or under a tariff item of Chapter 99 if it would otherwise be referred to in 195 (1) or (2) in the List of Tariff Provisions set out in the schedule to the Customs Tariff. Please note that electric tricycles and other non-passenger vehicles, such as electric golf carts and three-wheeled mobility scooters, classified under tariff item 8703.80.00, 8703.90.00, or 8704.90.00 in the List of Tariff Provisions set out in the schedule to the Customs Tariff are not subject to import controls or the quota and therefore do not require a permit from Global Affairs Canada (GAC) to enter Canada.

1.2 EVs originating in China: the determination of whether a vehicle originates in China is to be made in accordance with section 3 of the Determination of Country of Origin for the Purpose of Marking Goods (Non-CUSMA Countries) Regulations. In other words, the vehicle must have been substantially manufactured in China.

1.2.1 For greater certainty, a complete knock-down kit has the essential character of a complete/fully assembled vehicle. If a complete knock-down kit is substantially manufactured in China and exported for assembly in a third country, the fully assembled vehicle remains an EV that originates in China.

1.3 Resident of Canada: in the case of a natural person, a person who ordinarily resides in Canada; and in the case of a corporation, a corporation having its head office in Canada or operating a branch office in Canada.

1.4 OEM: an original equipment manufacturer engaged in the manufacturing or assembling of new motor vehicles, specifically EVs.

2. Eligibility criteria

2.1 In order to be eligible to import EVs under this quota, you must be a resident of Canada as defined in the EIPA, and be an OEM of EVs as identified in this Notice.

2.2 A non-resident OEM may appoint an agent (e.g. consultant, local sales representative, legal agent, direct employee, etc.) who is a resident of Canada to be the importer.

3. Method of Administration

3.1 The quota year runs from March 1 to February 28 or 29, each year.

3.2 A shipment-specific import permit issued by GAC is required for all imports of EVs identified in this Notice. Imports of EVs identified in this Notice that are not accompanied by a permit are prohibited.

3.3 Eligible EVs imported under this quota are assessed at a most-favoured-nation tariff rate of 6.1%. With the implementation of this quota the 100% surtax on imports of EVs originating from China (China Surtax Order (2024)) has been repealed.

3.4 During the first 6 months of the initial quota year (i.e. March 1, 2026 to August 31, 2026):

3.4.1 The quota is administered on a first-come, first-served (FCFS) basis;

3.4.2 The available quantity for this period is 24,500 vehicles;

3.4.3 Import permits are issued on demand to eligible importers on a FCFS basis, up to the established access quantity;

3.4.4 Importers may apply for an import permit up to 30 days prior to the expected date of entry of the shipment in Canada;

3.4.5 Import permits are issued with a validity period of a maximum of 60 days (i.e. 5 days prior, date of entry (1) and 54 days after the expected date of entry);

3.4.6 GAC will monitor the application and issuance of import permits for the purpose of providing equitable access to the quota to eligible applicants.

3.5 For the second 6 months of the initial quota year (i.e. September 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027):

3.5.1 GAC will be undertaking consultations regarding the administration of this quota. As such, a new Notice will be published before the start of the second half of the quota year;

3.5.2 The total available quantity for the second half of the initial quota year will be 24,500 vehicles plus any unused volumes from the initial 6-month period.

3.6 It is the importer’s responsibility to:

3.6.1 Ensure that a permit application is made in the name of the importer of record and includes the correct commodity code and quantity;  

3.6.2 Amend any permits containing incorrect information, such as the quantity, by cancelling and re-applying for a permit;

3.6.3 Cancel any unused or expired permits;

3.6.4 Identify and comply with any additional requirements associated with any other legislation, regulations, and/or policies relating to the import of these products, such as those applicable by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) or Transport Canada.

4. Related links

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