A business owner in Pickering, Ontario, selling golf trolleys is facing unexpected taxes due to a previously imposed federal tariff meant for Chinese electric vehicles. JPSM Golf, the company designing and marketing remote-controlled electric golf trolleys, recently encountered a tariff issue with a shipment of 330 trolleys from China in April 2025. Initially, they paid a standard 6.1% import tariff totaling over $19,000.
However, in May, owner Joseph McLuckie was notified by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) that the trolleys had been reclassified under the China Surtax Order. This tariff, implemented in October 2024, imposed a 100% surtax on Chinese electric vehicles and certain hybrid automobiles, including the electric golf trolleys. McLuckie is now required to pay $182,883.95, including additional charges and GST.
Expressing frustration and concern, McLuckie emphasized the unfairness of being subjected to a tariff intended for a completely different industry. He questioned the logic behind taxing his golf trolleys, which serve a recreational purpose, as if they were Chinese EVs, highlighting the financial strain this unexpected cost has placed on his business.
The unintended consequences of this tariff have left McLuckie grappling with the financial impact and contemplating potential layoffs for his six employees. Despite the recent repeal of the China Surtax Order in March 2026, McLuckie still faces the financial burden of the tariff due to the timing of the shipment.
In response to the tariff classification, JPSM Golf’s lawyer submitted a written argument to the CBSA, contending that golf trolleys should not be considered motor vehicles. However, the CBSA defended its decision, stating that any vehicle utilizing an electric motor for movement and transportation, including golf trolleys, falls under the motor vehicle classification.
McLuckie is pursuing an appeal of the CBSA’s decision and has also submitted a remission request to the federal government seeking relief from the tax burden. The Department of Finance has received numerous such requests since the implementation of the China Surtax Order, indicating the broader impact of the tariff on businesses across various industries.