Alcohol prices in Canada are notoriously high—sometimes double what you’d pay in the U.S., even if that case of 24 cans of Molson Dry is being sold in the province where it’s brewed. So, whether you’re coming from abroad for a vacation, taking a trip to some international destination, or just popping down to the U.S. for a quick shopping trip (because who hasn’t taken a day trip to Plattsburgh to hit up Price Chopper?), it’s tempting to stock up on beer, wine, or spirits… anywhere but here.

The good news is that Canada allows people who meet the minimum legal drinking age (18 in Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec; 19 elsewhere in Canada) to bring alcohol back into its provinces and territories duty-free. But before you load up your cart, it’s important to understand the limits so you don’t end up paying extra fees at the border.

 

Can You Bring Alcohol Into Canada?

Yes, you can! But not without limits. The rules differ slightly for Canadian citizens/residents and tourists visiting Canada, but both are permitted to bring in a certain amount of alcohol into the country for personal consumption without paying duties or taxes.

For Canadian citizens returning home, these allowances depend on the length of time you’ve been away. As for tourists, you’re welcome to bring alcohol into the country, as long as you meet the legal drinking age for the province or territory where you enter. However, it’s important to stay within the specified limits to avoid extra costs at the border. We’ll cover those specifics below.

 

How Much Alcohol Can I Bring Back to Canada?

For Canadian citizens returning from a trip abroad, the amount of alcohol you can bring back duty-free depends on how long you’ve been away. Here’s a quick breakdown:

  • Less than 24 hours: No alcohol allowances. You’ll have to pay full duty and taxes on any alcohol you bring back.
  • 24 hours or more: You can bring goods up to CAN$200 duty-free, but alcohol isn’t included in this exemption.
  • 48 hours or more: You can bring back up to 1.5 liters of wine, 1.14 liters of liquor, or 8.5 liters of beer, in addition to other goods worth up to CAN$800.
  • Over 7 days: The same alcohol limits apply as for 48 hours, but you can have goods shipped separately if declared upon your return.

If you’re not Canadian and you’re planning to bring alcohol into the country for personal consumption, you’re only allowed to bring one of the following duty-free:

  • Up to 1.5 liters of wine (about two 750 ml bottles).
  • Up to 1.14 liters of liquor (one large bottle).
  • Up to 8.5 liters of beer or ale (around 24 cans or bottles).

Remember, the alcohol must accompany you when you enter Canada. Border services officers will calculate and mark how much you’re allowed to bring in duty-free with an excise stamp reading “DUTY PAID CANADA DROIT ACQUITTÉ.”

 

Exceeding Canada’s Duty-Free Alcohol Limit

If you’re a Canadian citizen bringing more alcohol than your duty-free limit allows, you’ll need to pay duties and taxes on the excess. The amount you can bring beyond the duty-free limit depends on the province or territory where you’re entering Canada:

  • 9 liters in Quebec, Alberta, Nova Scotia, PEI, Newfoundland, Saskatchewan, Yukon
  • 45 liters in Ontario, New Brunswick, British Columbia
  • No limit in Manitoba
  • No allowance in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut

For tourists, if you exceed the duty-free limit (up to 45 liters of alcohol), you’ll be charged customs fees, taxes, and potentially additional provincial fees on top of duty. Be mindful that these charges can significantly increase the cost of the alcohol you’re bringing in.

Both citizens and tourists must keep in mind that the cost of bringing extra alcohol can be significant, sometimes reaching up to 85% of what you originally paid. The total depends on the type of alcohol, its origin, and the province you’re entering.

 

Remember, failing to declare goods correctly or fully can result in fines, seizures, or other legal repercussions. Always make sure to declare all the alcohol you’re bringing across the border to avoid penalties.

 

Bringing Tobacco Into Canada

Bringing tobacco into Canada can be just as tempting as bringing in alcohol, and the regulations are just as strict. Here too, the amount of tobacco Canadian citizens can bring back duty-free depends on how long you’ve been out of the country. After being away for 48 hours or more, you can bring back:

  • 200 cigarettes
  • 50 cigars
  • 200 grams of manufactured tobacco
  • 200 tobacco sticks

These amounts are part of your personal exemption. If you exceed them, you’ll need to pay duties and taxes. What’s more, if the tobacco products are not stamped “duty paid Canada droit acquitté,” you may also face additional costs, even if you’re within your exemption limits.

For tourists, the same general rules apply, but remember that duty-free tobacco is limited, and bringing unstamped tobacco into Canada will always incur additional charges. While there is no hard limit on how much you can bring over the duty-free amount, you’ll be subject to varying duties and provincial taxes depending on the quantity. Make sure to check the province’s specific rules and taxes before traveling to avoid unexpected costs.

 

Working with a customs broker like Clearit can make it easier to understand the rules for bringing alcohol and tobacco into Canada, helping you avoid extra fees and meet all the necessary requirements. To get help before making your purchases abroad:

 

SCHEDULE A MEETING WITH A CLEARIT CUSTOMS BROKER