Helpful Ideas for Alaskan Travels

CA Traveler wrote:

Kidoo wrote:

gatorcq wrote:
I have made inquiries, to friends who have traveled THRU Canada to Alaska, concerning liquor.
So, I had to share.
Sven, was able to travel with 3 cases of wine THRU Alaska with Canadian permission. Here is what he said. I am going to Alaska and will be traveling thru Canada. He was asked how long it would take to get to Alaska, his reply was, as long as it takes in my RV. They wished him a safe journey and he went on his way.

I think as a US citizen you are not subject to Canadian import rules. As I understand, it is your wine for you to drink and not for resale. You will be subject to importing US rules if you take wine from Canada to USA. When you cross the border in Alaska, make sure you have the US bill of sale, meaning as a US citizen, you brought wine from USA to USA.

Same when I go to USA, I bring my beer from Canada and I also brought some wine before. They don't seem to be concerned about alcool as long as it is for my own use. Once or twice I was ask if it was for my own use. When I come back to Canada, then I will be subject to Canada import rules, 2 bottles of wine or 24 beer. If this beer is Canadian beer that I bring back to Canada and I have the bill of sale, then no import tax.

By the way, you can import as much as you want, you just have to pay taxes and import fees, and it is not worth it.

These 2 posts raised a big red flag for me.

There are posted regulations on limited duty free amounts of alcohol.

As a US resident you should understand the CBSA regulations concerning "In-transit travel through Canada".

For us in 2013 the regulations for declaring wine both when entering and exiting Canada and the possibility of a security deposit made the decision for us. Plus we had an open schedule that could include several trips into SE Alaska was also a consideration. Today's regulations may have changed.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/ivc-rnc-eng.html

Thanks, I just went to the Web site. Indeed it says you are limited for alcool and tobaco when you are a traveler visiting Canada. It seems to be the same rules as for Canadian since they refer you to the limit page concerning alcool and tobaco.

The first page although tells you that you can bring almost anything, except for some illegal product of course, but you cannot sell it or give it to someone.

The page about alcool indicates your limit if you left Canada for 48 hours or more, I guess they did not made any disctinction if you are a non-resident or a resident. You can bring more but will have to pay taxes / duties.

The Canadian custom people have lots of room for interpretation of the rules. At the worst, you will pay duties. If you take cheap wine in a box, it will probably cost you the same as if you bought it in Canada, at the best, they will say have a nice trip. As long as you declare, there is no problem.