Tesla Canada Stopped Taking Model 3 Premium Orders Until March. A Four-Step Checklist for the Model 3 You Already Have, or Buy Used
By EV Bandit | Updated October 15, 2026
Key takeaways
- On October 12, Tesla stopped taking orders in Canada for its two China-built Model 3 Premium trims, which start at $39,490 (Canadian), saying its import allocation had run out.
- Only the U.S.-built Model 3 Performance can still be ordered, and Tesla expects Premium ordering to resume in March 2027.
- Canada's quota allows up to 49,000 China-built EVs a year at a 6.1% tariff, in two six-month periods.
- Why Tesla ran out while most of the national quota is unused is disputed. Global Affairs Canada has not published per-company allocations.
On October 12, Tesla stopped taking orders in Canada for its two China-built Model 3 Premium trims, which start at $39,490 (Canadian), saying its import allocation had run out, according to Drive Tesla Canada and Electrek. Only the U.S.-built Model 3 Performance can still be ordered, and Tesla expects Premium ordering to resume in March 2027.
If you were waiting on a Premium, or you drive a Model 3 already, the pause leaves months where the car you have is the car you have. This piece covers what the record shows, what it does not, and four interior upgrades for a Model 3.
What the record shows
| Item | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Orders stopped | Model 3 Premium RWD and AWD, built in Shanghai, from $39,490 | Drive Tesla Canada; Electrek |
| Still orderable | Model 3 Performance AWD, U.S.-built | Electrek; Drive Tesla Canada |
| Tesla's stated reason | Allocation of import permits ran out | Drive Tesla Canada |
| Expected restart | March 2027, when the next 49,000 permits become available | Electrek |
| Quota rules | Up to 49,000 China-built EVs a year at a 6.1% tariff, in two six-month periods | Both |
| Permits used (Ottawa tracker, Oct. 9) | 15,931 used since March 1; 33,069 of 49,000 remain, per Electrek. Drive Tesla Canada counts only 328 vehicles entered against 33,397 permits for September to February | Electrek; Drive Tesla Canada |
Tesla's own line, as Electrek reports it: "Ordering resumes if Govt of Canada issues more quota, expected March 2027."
What is not confirmed
Why Tesla ran out while most of the national quota is unused is disputed. Tesla Canada's public policy executive, Iain Myrans, argued on LinkedIn that Ottawa controls permit distribution and can hold permits back, writing that "Global Affairs Canada is providing in advance the maximum number of cars OEMs can expect to bring in for a period," per Drive Tesla Canada. Global Affairs Canada told Drive Tesla it "is consulting with interested companies to optimize remaining quota availability." It has not published per-company allocations.
Electrek suggests Ottawa may have limited Tesla's share to leave room for other automakers, and says that is not confirmed; it adds that Tesla's own backlog could also explain the pause. We could not find a source that settles it.
Before you buy anything
Our Model 3 listings are fitted for model years from 2017 through 2024 at most. If your car is a newer build, read the year range on each listing first. Prices are what the exact listing shows today. Confirm shipping options for your province at checkout.
1. Floors first
The 3D MAXpider floor mats carry raised side walls meant to stop salt and slush reaching the carpet, per the listing. They are the expensive option; there is no claim here that cheaper mats fail.
2. The frunk
The Maxpider liner comes in two variants, Frunk at $99.99 and Cargo Liner at $139.99. The Frunk variant is the one we feature here. The Cargo Liner variant is on backorder, so choose it only if you can wait.
3. The phone
The wireless phone mount has a spec to check. Its title says 2016-2024, but its description says it fits Model 3 from 2018 to 2023. Trust the narrower range and check your year.
4. The space behind the screen
The magnetic organizer uses the dead space under the screen. The sets differ in size and whether they include the tissue holder, so read the listing before choosing.
What this means for owners
Nothing in the record says the pause changes your car's value or your options beyond ordering. What it changes is timing: a Premium order cannot be placed until March 2027 at the earliest, by Tesla's own estimate, and the Performance remains orderable. The four upgrades above work on the car you have now.
Canadian drivers who also use Superchargers should see our look at the payment kiosks that reached Canada.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I order a Model 3 Premium in Canada?
On October 12, Tesla stopped taking orders in Canada for its two China-built Model 3 Premium trims, saying its import allocation had run out, according to Drive Tesla Canada and Electrek.
When will Tesla Canada take Model 3 Premium orders again?
Tesla expects Premium ordering to resume in March 2027, when the next 49,000 permits become available, per Electrek.
Which Model 3 can I still order in Canada?
Only the U.S.-built Model 3 Performance AWD can still be ordered.
How does Canada's China-built EV import quota work?
The quota allows up to 49,000 China-built EVs a year at a 6.1% tariff, in two six-month periods. Global Affairs Canada has not published per-company allocations.
Which floor mats fit a 2020-2024 Model 3?
The 3D MAXpider all-weather floor mats are listed for the 2020-2024 Model 3 at $329.99.
Sources
Drive Tesla Canada, Oct. 14, 2026
Electrek, Oct. 13, 2026
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- Tesla Canada's Model 3 Premium RWD Page Now Shows 584 km. What the Spec Change Says, and What It Doesn't
- Tesla Canada Is Taking Cybertruck Trade-Ins. Three Cheap Ways to Keep a Truck Sale-Ready
- Ford Says Its $29,945 Fathom Will Cost Less to Own Than a Three-Year-Old Model Y. What a Model Y Owner Controls
Canadian owners, we want to hear it. Did you get your Premium order in before October 12, or are you holding out until March? Tell us in the 255,000-member Tesla Model Y Owners group on Facebook.