A business owner in Pickering, Ontario, selling golf trolleys is facing an unjust tax issue due to a former federal tariff aimed at Chinese electric vehicles (EVs). JPSM Golf specializes in remote-controlled electric golf trolleys designed to carry golf bags while players navigate the course on foot. In April 2025, the company imported a shipment of 330 trolleys from China and paid a standard 6.1% import tariff of over $19,000.
However, in May, owner Joseph McLuckie received notification from the Canadian Border Security Agency (CBSA) that the trolleys were reclassified under a different tariff category. This reclassification placed the trolleys under the China Surtax Order, a tariff that imposed a 100% surtax on Chinese EVs, electric and specific hybrid vehicles like passenger cars, trucks, buses, and delivery vans.
As a result, McLuckie now faces a bill of $182,883.95, including interest and GST. He expressed frustration and stress over the situation, questioning why his golf trolleys are being subjected to a tariff originally intended for Chinese EVs to safeguard Canada’s automotive sector.
McLuckie plans to challenge the CBSA’s decision, with legal representation highlighting that golf trolleys are not traditional motor vehicles. Despite McLuckie’s appeal, the CBSA maintained that golf trolleys are indeed considered motor vehicles due to their electric motor operation for moving and transporting goods. The agency also pointed out that even non-electric wheelbarrows fall under the vehicle classification according to Canadian customs regulations.
McLuckie has also submitted a remission request to the federal government seeking relief from the tariff burden. The Department of Finance has received numerous remission requests following the implementation of the China Surtax Order, with some relief granted and more requests under evaluation. The government assesses each request in collaboration with local producers to determine its impact on the Canadian market and economy.
The Department of Finance confirmed that the China Surtax Order has been repealed since March 2026 but remains applicable to shipments during its active period. McLuckie’s ongoing battle against the tariff highlights the unintended consequences that can affect businesses due to tariff classifications and their enforcement.