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Craig95005's avatar
Craig95005
Explorer
Jul 07, 2018

Carrying wine into Canada

We're getting ready to cross from Maine to New Brunswick in our motorhome and plan to stay 10-14 days. We have 20 or 25 bottles of wine stored under our bed. We don't plan to drink many of them during our stay. Obviously didn't plan this very well.

I suspect we may have to pay duty on them even though most of them will still be unopened when we leave. Any idea what the duty is on wine and hard liquor over what's allowed? Any of you had experience with carrying alcohol into Canada? Or can you give me any insights about what crossing the border into New Brunswick is like in terms of documents required and declarations made? Haven't gone into Canada in six years or so and it was easy then but could be different now.

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  • Ralph_Cramden's avatar
    Ralph_Cramden
    Explorer II
    Jul 07, 2018
    I would pull over somewhere just before the border and sit there while I guzzled it all down, then head on over...........Doh!
  • Orion's avatar
    Orion
    Explorer
    Jul 07, 2018
    There does seem to be a bit of flexibility with regard to the official duty free limits when it comes to both boats and RVs. I have often heard a term similar to 'Usual bar amounts for the RV/boat' I've heard this personally and also on the TV 'Border' series.
    I don't know if that many bottles would qualify for this though?
  • MDKMDK's avatar
    MDKMDK
    Explorer
    Jul 07, 2018
    kerrlakeRoo wrote:
    Sounds like you may be hosting a party today.

    Good answer. :B
  • noteven's avatar
    noteven
    Explorer III
    Jul 07, 2018
    Storage in the US would be the best option in this writer’s opinion. Minor nuisance would be you need to backtrack to retrieve it vs exploring a totally new road. Or ship it to another US location if it’s the good stuff and worth doing that.

    Canada’s tax is high on beer wine and spirits.
  • garyhaupt's avatar
    garyhaupt
    Explorer
    Jul 07, 2018
    You are allowed 1.4 liters of wine or alcohol per person. After that you will be taxed on what the cost of that wine is in Canada. Looks like you are able to have a total of four bottles tax free. If you can find a shop or person that will store it for you prior to entering Canada would be a great option.

    If you put the name of the crossing? Maybe someone will have a more concrete suggestion.


    Gary Haupt
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Jul 07, 2018
    Aside from alcohol there are other requirements for both Canada and return to US.

    The most significant US border requirement is passports or US recognized documentation which does not include common drivers license.
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Jul 07, 2018
    Check the in transient procedure which allows transportation through Canada. Documentation, wine sealed, possible bond, etc.

    It may work for you.
  • MDKMDK's avatar
    MDKMDK
    Explorer
    Jul 07, 2018
    Best way would have been to call these folks and ask them. However, it looks like they will be closed until Monday 08:00 am.
    Canadian Border Information Service

    Failing that, you could find an inexpensive storage facility in Maine, and leave the bulk of the wine there.
    Or, declare it when you hit CBSA primary inspection at Houghton or Port of Calais/St. Stephen or wherever you cross. They'll decide what to do at that point. The lack of receipts to determine the value over the duty free amounts may be an issue.
    Sorry, no idea what the duty/tax might be on a bottle of wine. Trying to locate that information on one of our government websites is somewhere between pulling teeth and drawing blood from a stone.
    Good luck with it.

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