Anyone have experience transporting wine into Canada via automobile on vacation? It looks like you are allowed 2 bottles per person of drinking age before they charge duty. Is this really enforced? Do they search the car routinely?
It’s not a big deal for a planned trip, but that’s a tiny personal allowance IMO. And, the duty charged for more seemed pretty significant when I punched it in on one of their websites. I think it was something like $24 on a $60 bottle declared value. And, I thought our liquor laws were pretty crazy down here!
Canada enforces that law stringently. It’s really expensive too, as they base it on current value, not what you might have originally paid for it. It seems they are protecting their government-run alcohol consession pretty tightly.
Depending on where you’re going, they can have some decent prices on wines up there, but most are more expensive than I’m used to paying in the U.S. It’s done separately by province, so my experience is only in Ontario with the LCBO. I don’t know which province you’re going to, so YMMV.
On the flip side, if you’re going someplace in Ontario or British Columbia, two areas with pretty decent wine regions, bring wine back isn’t any big deal to U.S. Customs. I’ve brought back a couple of cases without the Customs official batting an eye. It’s not worth their trouble for the few cents a bottle duty when you get beyond what you’re allowed. Just don’t load up a small truck!
Ontario is terrible. You may get away with a bottle or two over the limit, but enforcement is generally quite strict. I’ve beensearched and know people who have been arrested for lying and the bottles were destroyed.
Oh also, our LCBO pricing ranges from mediocre to terrible. Cali and France are overpriced and Italy is about average market pricing. Don’t expect and back vintages. Everything is current release.
We’re headed to Whistler, crossing up from Seattle. Since BYO is strictly a no-go, it’s not a big deal. Plus, it’s just the wife and I and our 5 year old so I was looking for something to sip around the condo. 4 bottles will be plenty for the week. I just couldn’t believe it was so strict and expensive if you go over.
I have friends who used to drive up to Ontario every summer with a fair deal of wine. I never figured out what their trick was.
John and Chris V – Are you talking about driving or flying?
I’ve taken my two bottles in many times flying, but I’ve never been asked, so I would easily have brought more.
Chris S - They don’t routinely search all cars, but they won’t hesitate to do so if you look suspicious. I’d guess it’s easier if you have US plates. Basically, Canada cares about people buying things cheaper in the US and wants to charge duties and taxes, but it’s Canadians who are mostly likely to be bringing purchases over the border. The US government only cares about meat, plants, drugs and immigrants and couldn’t give a s**t about other goods.
Pain in the ass going from Maine to Roosevelt’s Estate on Campobello Island in New Brunswick, with about 8 wine bottles & planning on returning to Maine in 2 hours. Took some time to explain it to them, but they finally relented.
Do NOT take a handgun or ammo.
On another trip to Niagara Peninsula, Canada bought back cases of wine & US Customs could not have cared.
It’s not just about being asked, John. It’s what you put down on the customs declaration card that you will have to fill in.
Fwiw, I’ve brought 1 0r 2 more than my 2-bottle limit every time I fly into Toronto (at least 1 a year), which I’ve declared and, so far, I’ve never been taxed.
I know that. I’ve always declared what I was carrying. My point was that I could have carried more and no one has ever checked.
No matter what the country, I think it’s wise to declare lots of stuff if you’re hoping to get more than your allotment past the customs officials. It pays to look exceedingly honest and forthcoming.
We drive up to B.C. a couple of times a year. For the few times we have been asked if we have any alcohol, the answer, “we have a couple of bottles of wine each” has been sufficient. No more questions, never searched.
I was shocked one year when we stayed at the condo of a friend who was part owner of a winery, and he pulled a full case from the back of his SUV. He said he brought up that much wine all the time.
I’m not saying you shouldn’t declare your wine. Just giving you my experience.
I always fly into Buffalo, rent a car and drive across the border. I’ve always been asked if I was bringing wine. One guy asked why I would bring wine into Ontario where they make wine. The first thought that went through my mind was “because I want to drink something good”, but I bit my tongue.
Yeah, when I go up there, I usually bring back a couple of cases. The ice wine is great, and some of the wineries are doing pretty good things with Chardonnay. I’m still playing with the age-ability of the Pinot Noir, so I won’t know for a couple of years. 2013 should be a fabulous ice wine year.
This. We have a reality show up here called ‘Border Security’, which is entertaining. I’ve seen a few Americans coming into Canada who will not declare or forget that they have a firearm or ammo in the vehicle. They will seize the firearm and arrest you, even if it’s valid to carry in the US. Last episode I watched, they arrested a retired judge who didn’t declare the pistol that had had in his vehicle.
I’m anxiously awaiting an episode where a Canadian doesn’t declare their wine, to see what they do.
Have a relative who travels all over in his motor home, towing his car. Usually goes into Canada via Vancouver, but went into Alberta headed for Calgary one year and neglected to mention all the bottles he had in the motor home. Now he gets a special inspection at every territory he enters, no matter if it’s from the US or another territory.
I was on a prisioner trip to Montreal, with gun, upon arrival ,via airplane ,the local police were nervous about my partner & I carrying guns so they took our guns and returned them upon our departure. During the 3 days there we had an armed Mounty as an escort/chauffeur . Not too bad , EH ??
Re Whistler, last time I was there, there was a very nice wine shop right near the Fairmont Chateau Whistler with decent pricing and a good selection of nice BC wines … I stocked up on Tantalus to bring back. Just looked on the google - it’s the Blackcomb Liquor Store.
Whistler is a client of our company and I used to get to go up several times a year for meetings … I still miss the local wines … a lot.
From what I’ve heard, most Americans visiting Canada don’t have much issue with a few bottles each. The border seems to be far more strict with Canadians returning to Canada.
Bingo. Any U.S. folks I know coming up have brought wine without incident when they say it’s for a cottage or vacation. I know someone from Michigan that rents a cottage here 1 month every summer and they bring a case of wine each time.
For Cdn’s anything over 2 bott each (sometimes 3 or 4, depending on your luck) and your taxed at 100% of value on those.
Used to be the airport was considerably more lenient than land border crossings, but I don’t know anymore.
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