Chinese EV Quota Status: Canada's Live Tracker
As of the latest official EICS report (2026-03-01), 15,063 of the 24,500 units in the current import window have been used — 61.5%, with 9,437 remaining before the window closes on 2026-08-31. Canada's quota allows 49,000 Chinese EVs per year at a 6.1% tariff, split into two six-month windows of 24,500 units each.
Live counter
LiveHow much of the quota is already used
15,063imported so far — of 24,500 allowed this period
- 9,437
- Still available
- 61.5 %
- Quota used
- 5
- Days left in period
Imports by month
- —Mar
- —Apr
- 3,510May
- 621Jun
- 5,982Jul
- 4,950Aug
Canada's annual quota is 49,000 vehicles, which Global Affairs Canada allocates in two six-month periods of 24,500. The counter above tracks the current period only.
Once a period’s quota is filled, further Chinese EVs cannot be imported until the next period opens — the shipments are not simply taxed at a higher rate.
Source : Export and Import Controls System, Global Affairs Canada. Current period : March 1, 2026 → August 31, 2026. Figures verified March 1, 2026. Free to cite with a link to this page.
Monthly imports under the quota
No other Canadian outlet publishes this series. It is rebuilt from the official EICS report at every update — journalists are welcome to cite it with a link.
| Month | Units imported |
|---|---|
| 2026-03 | 0 |
| 2026-04 | 0 |
| 2026-05 | 3,510 |
| 2026-06 | 621 |
| 2026-07 | 5,982 |
| 2026-08 | 4,950 |
How the quota works
- Annual allotment of 49,000 units at a 6.1% tariff, in force since March 1, 2026 (C.P. 2026-144) — it replaced the 100% surtax of October 2024.
- Global Affairs Canada splits the year into two six-month windows of 24,500 units each.
- Every shipment needs a federal permit issued by Global Affairs Canada, enforced at the border by the CBSA — no permit, no 6.1% rate.
- Once a window is full, further imports are not permitted until the next window — they do not just pay higher duties.
- The allotment grows 6.5% per year, and from year two a rising share (10% → 50% by year five) is reserved for vehicles with an FOB value of $35,000 or less.
Update log
- Live tracker launched. Window 1 sits at 61.5% used with five days remaining — it will close with roughly a third of its allotment unused.
- EICS reports 15,063 of 24,500 units used. July (5,982) and August (4,950 to the 25th) are the two most active months of the window.
- Mid-window checkpoint: 9,813 units used (40.1%) at the halfway point of window 1.
- The regime takes effect (C.P. 2026-144): 6.1% tariff inside a 49,000-unit annual quota, replacing the 100% surtax of October 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the status of Canada's Chinese EV import quota right now?
As of the latest official EICS report (2026-03-01), 15,063 of the current window's 24,500 units have been used (61.5%), leaving 9,437 available. The live counter on this page follows every EICS update — the annual quota is 49,000 units, split by Global Affairs Canada into two six-month windows of 24,500.
What happens when a quota window is full?
Additional imports are not permitted until the next window opens. This is the most misunderstood part of the regime: it is not a matter of paying higher duties beyond the quota — outside the allotment, importing is simply prohibited.
Does the quota grow over time?
Yes. The 49,000-unit annual allotment grows 6.5% per year. From the second year, 10% of the quota is reserved for vehicles with an FOB value of $35,000 or less — a share that rises to 50% by year five. That threshold is the import value, not the sticker price.
Do I need a permit to buy a Chinese EV in Canada?
No — permits apply to importers, not buyers. Every shipment requires a permit issued by Global Affairs Canada, enforced at the border by the CBSA. Without a permit there is no preferential 6.1% rate. As a buyer, the quota reaches you only through availability: limited allocations are why reservation lists matter.
When does window 2 open, and what changes?
Window 2 opens September 1, 2026 with a fresh 24,500-unit allotment running to the end of February 2027. The first window ran first-come, first-served as a transitional formula; a new allocation regime from Global Affairs Canada takes effect with window 2 — we will publish the mechanics as soon as GAC releases them.
Source: Export and Import Controls System (EICS), Global Affairs Canada. This page regenerates from the official report continuously; the update log records notable readings. The series is free to cite with attribution and a link.