Moving a wine collection across provincial, state or international borders is not a simple task. Federal liquor laws were first passed 80 years ago during the end of prohibition, so allowances for NAFTA and other trade agreements are not originally built into the legal structure. The general public is allowed to import Wine and other forms of alcohol for personal use under strict rules. It is illegal to sell wine out of province or country without a valid license and approval by each province / state liquor authority. Each province / state has their own unique set of rules, restrictions, and duties applied to the importation of alcoholic beverages. For example, Ontario allows 1.5 liters of wine to be imported for personal use duty-free after being out of country for 48 hours, or if taking up residency. Any wine imported above this limit will be subject to various duties and taxes. The CBSA has the legal authority to collect taxes and duties at the border. However, when moving with a bonded carrier such as abbeyWood your household shipment typically clears customs at an inland port such as STREAM in Mississauga, Ontario. The Majority of the charges are actually markups set by the liquor board. If the amounts are not paid the product will likely be confiscated (section 19 of the Liquor Distribution Act). New settlers taking up residency in Canada are typically allowed 1.5 liters of wine or 1.14 liters of alcoholic beverages or up to 8.5 liters of beer. Check with the appropriate provincial or territorial liquor control authority in advance of your arrival in Canada to find out the current restrictions and applicable tariffs. 
Importing Wine into Canada
(Returning Residences over 1 year, Immigrants, Work Permits)
When moving into Canada your household shipment is entering under the designation of personal effects not for resale. Your wine or alcohol collection is part of this shipment but will be subject to duties, taxes or other service fees. In Ontario an Import Permit is required for any alcohol above:
• 1.5 liters of wine; or
• a total of 1.14 liters of alcoholic beverages; or
• Up to a maximum of 8.5 liters of beer or ale.
The Ontario Import permit is applied for and obtained prior to entering the country. It is typically mailed in and covers taxation at a provincial level only. Federal tax may still be applicable.
For Ontario, all alcohol imported with household effects:
-must be reported on the Permit of Application, and
-must not exceed: 120 bottles of spirits that are 750ml, 1L or 1.14L and 1200 bottles of wine that are 750 ml or 1L in size, and
-must have been owned, possessed, and used by you for at least six months before your return to Canada, if you have lived outside Canada less than five years, and
-must have been owned, possessed, and used by you before your return to Canada, if you have lived outside Canada five or more years, and
-must be imported from the same place you are returning to Canada from
Source: LCBO 2254
Check with the appropriate provincial or territorial liquor control authority in advance of your arrival in Canada as the levy varies per province.
Importing Wine into Canada
(For personal use, and when not moving)
Alcohol above the duty-free limit can still be imported into Canada, but taxation will occur. Residences are allowed to import alcohol for personal use, and different rates apply if they accompanied or unaccompanied across the border.
Ontario Alcohol Importation Requirements:
• Be an Ontario resident 19 years of age or older;
• Be bringing products back for personal use only;
• Returning residents are not exceed a total of 45-litres of beverage alcohol (any combination of wine, spirits or beer);
• Have all proof-of-purchase documentation including sales and credit card receipts ready to present to Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) officials when you are going through Customs;
• Pay all applicable import and excise duties, taxes and levies as detailed below.
As the second chart illustrates it is possible to have alcohol for personal consumption shipped back to your residence in Ontario unaccompanied but it is more expensive. You MUST use a freight carrier and not a postal service to transport the alcohol. LCBO will appoint a customs broker such as UPS Supply Chain Solutions and calculate the applicable taxes, duties, levies and broker fees. It is up to the shipper to make sure all requirements are met and documentation is fully completed. It is also the shipper’s responsibility to pay any additional storage, or service charges incurred.
When making a direct shipment you must:
• Be an Ontario resident 19 years of age or older;
• Be importing products for personal use only;
• Not exceed a total of 45-litres of beverage alcohol (any combination of wine, spirits or beer);
• Provide documentation indicating the value of your shipment (supplier invoices, etc.) along with proof of payment (typically a credit card receipt).
In addition, the shipment must:
• Be consigned to the LCBO c/o yourself on the shipment manifest or bill of lading;
• Be clearly marked as beverage alcohol on all transport and customs documentation;
• Not include any non-alcohol items, just beverage alcohol;
• Be accompanied by a completed Canada Customs Invoice (CCI) indicating the brand name(s), vintage if applicable, alcohol by volume, format, quantity and accurate valuation (as noted above). CCIs are available by clicking here.
Please see the CBSA website for current rates, and restrictions per province. Click here to view the Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act (Canada).
Bringing Wine into United States
Importing Wine and Alcohol to United States
In contrast the United States allows 1 litre of wine duty-free but the taxes and duties over the limits are considerably lower. See the U.S. CBP site for info. You will have to pay duties and taxes for any additional alcohol based on the state law you plan to reside in. Often these taxes and duties are not charged at the border due to the CBP being concerned mainly with federal law. For many people moving to the USA this is a blessing because your household shipment clears at the border, and not an inland port. Individual state laws are typically enforced by the local state departments.
Ever wondering if the building you’re moving into has a problem with bed bugs? Well the Folks at The Bed Bug Registry made a free public database where users can submit reports about Bed Bug outbreaks. It is all displayed in a neat Yahoo! Map and complaints show up as dots in the appropriate location. An alternative method for searching allows you to type in an address and view the results. Beware that the site does have some technical bugs of its own, and reports may be false. Either way we are happy to see a new way to keep track of this growing problem.
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