Customs Notice 26-05: Permit requirement to import Chinese-made electric vehicles to Canada

Ottawa, February 26, 2026

1. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) assists Global Affairs Canada (GAC) in the administration of the Export and Import Permits Act (EIPA) and its regulations.

2. As of March 1, 2026, the EIPA’s Import Control List (ICL) will be amended to include Electric Vehicles (EVs) that originate from the People’s Republic of China. As a result, a shipment-specific import permit issued by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) will be required to import these goods into Canada.

3. Importers can apply to GAC for a shipment-specific import permit until the quota limit established by GAC is reached. Once quota is reached, permits will no longer be issued. These permits will be valid for 60 days from the date they were issued as opposed to the normal 30 days.

4. Implicated HS codes include:

• Vehicles that originate in the People’s Republic of China and are classified under tariff items: 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, 8704.41.90, 8704.42.00, 8704.43.00, 8704.51.00, 8704.52.00, or 704.60.00
• Vehicles, other than electric tricycles and other non passenger vehicles, that originate in the People’s Republic of China and are classified under tariff items 8703.80.00, 8703.90.00, or 8704.90.00 .

5. The permit requirements for importation of Chinese-made EVs does not apply to non-commercial (personal) importations of EVs classified under Chapter 98 of the Customs Tariff.

6. For personal imports of EVs originating from China not classified under Chapter 98, please contact GAC.

7. For more information about applying for a GAC import permit, please refer to GAC’s web page: Applying for an Import Permit. Questions concerning the administration of the EVs quota can be directed to: EVs.quota-contingent.VE@international.gc.ca.

8. For additional information, importers are encouraged to consult the Import of Electric Vehicles from the People’s Republic of China – Serial No. 1162.

9. In the coming weeks, the CBSA Single Window Initiative (SWI), Integrated Import Declaration (IID) will be updated to reflect the new shipment-specific import permit requirement for Chinese-made EVs listed in the ICL.

10. Until the CBSA SWI IID is ready, importers of Chinese-made EVs must submit to the CBSA a paper release package (Release on Minimum Documentation Paper or Customs Accounting Document (CAD) Type C entry), including a paper version of the permit issued by GAC, to be able to import these EVs to Canada.

11. If the shipment-specific import permit issued by GAC is not submitted to the CBSA, the entry will be rejected.

12. In addition, all vehicles imported to Canada must also be compliant with applicable Canadian legislation, including:

• Motor Vehicle Safety Act
• Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations
• Plant Protection Act
• Motor Vehicle Tire Safety Regulations

Please refer to Memorandum D19-12-1: Importing Vehicles into Canada for more information.

13. For more information regarding the CBSA’s programs and services, please contact the Border Information Service (BIS) line. Within Canada, you can call BIS toll-free at 1-800-461-9999. From outside Canada you can call 204-983-3500 or 506-636-5064; long distance charges will apply. Agents are available Monday to Friday (08:00 – 16:00 local time, except holidays). TTY is also available within Canada: 1-866-335-3237.