Job Discussion Forums

[zander7990]

i was wondering, how much alcohol are you allowed to bring back into canada? i dont mean buying the alcohol at the duty free shop at narita, but buying it at a liquor store before i leave. i was thinking about bringing back 3 bottles of sake and prob. buy some at the duty free shop. any ideas???

[johanne]

As I understand it regardless of where you buy it you can only take in 1.5 litres of alcohol in total before you are charged tax. Of course you could always try to sneak in some extra by not declaring it. Has anyone else every been able to bring in more legally?

[JimDunlop2]

From the government website, the limits are as follows:

* Alcoholic beverages

If you meet the age requirements set by the province or territory where you enter Canada, you can include one of the following:

� 1.5 litres of wine (53 imperial ounces); or

� 1.14 litres (40 ounces) of liquor; or

� 24 � 355 ml cans/bottles (8.5 litres) of beer or ale.

You can bring in more than the free allowance of alcohol except in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. However, the quantities have to be within the limit the province or territory sets, and, in most cases, you have to bring the quantities with you.

If the value of the goods is more than the free allowance, you will have to pay both customs and provincial or territorial assessments. For more information, check with the appropriate provincial or territorial liquor control authority before you leave Canada.

Linky here: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pub/cp/rc4044/rc4044-e.html

Personal tip from someone who knows: DECLARE IT! I got caught with 3 bottles of booze and earlier I had lied and declared only 1. In the end I got away with it but it was a HEADACHE and it took forever and they searched my luggage so thoroughly after that, it was completely humiliating..... That was about 10 years ago though... I'm much older and wiser now...

[chirp]

I agree with JimDunlop2 - DECLARE IT! Not only is there the public humiliation of them going through everything in your luggage (including checking your pants pockets etc. - I have seen it!) there is also the possibility of Customs red-flagging your passport so that EVERY TIME you enter Canada, they will automatically search your bags - whether you have anything to declare or not.

But keep this in mind... Depending on the cost of the alcohol you are bringing in and the percentage of alcohol it contains, the duty can be quite steep. Wine is usually not too bad - but liquor (I got nailed with Cognac) can end up costing you more than what you paid for it.

BTW, the quantities JimDunlop2 quoted are spot on.