Can i bring alcohol into canada? - Chef's Resource (2024)

FAQs

How much alcohol can I bring to Canada per person? ›

Items such as tobacco products and alcoholic beverages are seized permanently when they are not properly declared. Border services officers may seize all vehicles used to unlawfully import goods. If this happens, you will be required to pay a penalty before the vehicle is returned to you.

You can pack containers of alcohol (including homemade wine and beer, and commercial products) in your checked baggage if: The percentage of alcohol by volume is 70% (140 proof) or less.

Federal and state regulations allow you to bring back one liter of an alcoholic beverage for personal use duty-free. However, states may allow you to bring back more than one liter, but you will have to pay any applicable Customs duty and IRT.

Federal limits

In all Canadian provinces, the maximum legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for fully licensed drivers is 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood or 0.08. Driving with a BAC of 0.08 or more is a criminal (federal) offence and the penalties are severe.

A standard bottle of wine (750 ml) holds five 5 oz. glasses of wine. Generally, this will serve between 2-4 people. A Magnum bottle also known as 1.5L is equal to two standard bottles of wine, and will serve 4-5 people.

Checked Bags: Yes

Alcoholic beverages with more than 24% but not more than 70% alcohol are limited in checked bags to 5 liters (1.3 gallons) per passenger and must be in unopened retail packaging. Alcoholic beverages with 24% alcohol or less are not subject to limitations in checked bags.

A California resident or any other person crossing the international border via common carrier may bring in a reasonable quantity of alcoholic beverages (up to five cases or 60 liters) provided the beverages are for personal or household use.

If you know the details regarding the bottle(s) you intend to purchase you can calculate the following costs per bottle: - Import Duty: $0.0187/litre of imported wine, free for US-made wine. $0.0492/litres of absolute alcohol (LAA) of spirits, free for US-made spirits *

When travelling, you must declare all food products you bring with you into Canada. For more information, check the document I Declare: A guide for residents returning to Canada from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) or the Visitors to Canada web page.

Can I bring cheese into Canada? ›

Dairy Products: up to 20 kgs (44 lbs). Please note that quantities in excess of $20 may be subject to HIGH duty rates. Meat and Poultry Products (fresh, frozen, and chilled): Up to 20 kgs (44 lbs)/person, packaging must have identifying marks, indicating what the product is and proof of country of origin (US).

Goods must be in your possession and reported at time of entry to Canada. If the value of the goods you are bringing back exceeds CAN$800, duties and taxes are applicable only on amount of the imported goods that exceeds CAN$800. A minimum absence of 48 hours from Canada is required.

Goods you bring in for commercial use or for another person do not qualify for the exemption and are subject to applicable duties and taxes. In all cases, goods you include in your 24-hour exemption (CAN$200) or 48-hour exemption (CAN$800) must be with you upon your arrival in Canada.

You can claim goods worth up to CAN$800 without paying any duty and taxes. You must have the goods with you when you enter Canada. You can bring back up to 1.5 litres of wine or 1.14 litres of alcoholic beverages or up to 8.5 litres of beer.

Alcohol prices in Canada are approximately twice as expensive as in the United States. The sole reason for this price difference is that the Federal and Provincial Governments regulate minimum prices and taxes on alcohol.