Canada’s duty free liquor allowance lets travellers bring limited amounts of wine, beer, and spirits into the country without paying customs duty or taxes—provided they meet time-away requirements and the legal drinking age of the province where they enter. These exemptions apply to Canadian residents returning from abroad and to visitors entering Canada. If travellers exceed limits or don’t meet eligibility rules (such as the 48-hour absence), they must declare the alcohol and may owe duty, taxes, and provincial levies assessed by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

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What is Duty Free Liquor Allowance in Canada

A duty-free liquor allowance is a personal exemption established by the Government of Canada, allowing travellers to bring specified quantities of alcoholic beverages into the country without paying customs duty, excise tax, or provincial liquor levies. These exemptions are part of federal law under the Excise Act, 2001 and are enforced by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

Who the allowance applies

Travel.gc.ca confirms that duty-free alcohol allowances apply to both Canadian residents returning from international trips and non-residents or visitors entering Canada. Eligibility is based on time spent outside the country and compliance with provincial drinking age requirements.

Legal drinking age requirement per province/territory as a condition for duty free liquor

The CBSA requires travellers to meet the legal drinking age of the province or territory where they enter Canada. This means 18 years old in Alberta, Manitoba, and Québec, and 19 years old in other provinces and territories. Travellers younger than the legal drinking age cannot claim any duty-free alcohol allowance.

Standard Duty Free Liquor Limits (2025)

Canada sets specific personal exemptions for alcohol that apply per adult traveller who meets time-away requirements.

Wine: up to 1.5 litres

The CBSA allows up to 1.5 litres of wine duty-free. This includes still wine, red, white, rosé, sparkling wine such as champagne, and certain fortified wines. Any wine exceeding this limit must be declared and may be subject to duty, tax, and provincial levies.

Spirits / Liquor: up to 1.14 litres free of duty/taxes.

Travel.gc.ca lists the duty-free spirits allowance as 1.14 litres. This usually corresponds to one standard large bottle of whisky, vodka, rum, tequila, gin, or similar hard liquor. Liqueurs and certain ready-to-drink beverages may qualify depending on alcohol content.

Beer or Ale: up to 8.5 litres

The CBSA allows travellers to import up to 8.5 litres of beer or ale duty-free. This is approximately equivalent to a 24-pack of 355 ml cans or bottles and includes craft beers, microbrews, and international varieties.

Conditions & Time-Away Requirements to Qualify

The duty-free alcohol allowance is tied to the traveller’s time spent outside Canada.

You must have been outside Canada for at least 48 hours

Travel.gc.ca specifies that the alcohol exemption applies only to travellers who have been outside Canada for 48 hours or longer. This applies to all entry methods including air, land, or sea.

For shorter stays (less than 24 h)

Clearit highlights that travellers away for less than 24 hours cannot claim any personal exemption for alcohol. Even one bottle must be declared and fully taxed.

Requirements for alcohol to accompany you when you enter for personal use

TheCanadianImmigration.org notes that duty-free alcohol must accompany the traveller upon entry. It must be for personal use or as a gift and cannot be shipped separately or intended for resale.

What Happens If You Exceed the Duty-Free Limit

Travellers may still bring alcohol in excess of the duty free limits, but additional obligations apply.

Requirement to declare excess alcohol at customs.

The Canadian Immigration stresses that all alcohol exceeding duty-free limits must be declared to the CBSA upon arrival. Declaring prevents penalties and ensures proper processing.

You may be required to pay duty, taxes

The CBSA may charge federal customs duty, excise tax, provincial liquor board markups, and applicable sales taxes such as GST or HST. The total can be significant depending on the province and the type of alcohol.

Large quantities might be treated as commercial import

TheCanadianImmigration.org explains that unusually large amounts or repeated imports may be categorized as commercial. In such cases, travellers may face stricter duties, potential seizure, or administrative penalties.

Citizenship / Visitor Status & Duty Free Liquor Rules

Rules for Canadian residents returning vs non-residents/visitors entering Canada.

The CBSA applies the same alcohol limits to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, foreign visitors, international students, and temporary workers. Eligibility is based solely on time away, personal use, and drinking-age compliance.

Importance of declaring alcohol if you have any doubts

Travel.gc.ca advises that travellers should declare alcohol if unsure. Declaring alcohol avoids penalties, reduces risk of seizure, and often results in lower processing fees than failing to declare.

Practical Tips for Travellers & Bringing Liquor Duty-Free

Keep alcohol with you when entering

Duty-free exemptions apply only if the alcohol enters Canada with the traveller. Shipped items are treated as taxable imports.

Know and comply with the legal drinking age of the entry province.

Travellers under the provincial drinking age cannot claim any alcohol exemption and may have the alcohol confiscated or fully taxed.

Plan based on length of stay abroad

Travellers who have been outside Canada for less than 48 hours do not qualify for the duty-free liquor allowance.

Declare honestly

Receipts help CBSA officers verify purchase details, alcohol type, and intended personal use, ensuring smoother processing at the border.

FAQs | Common Questions on Canada Duty-Free Liquor

How many litres of wine/spirit/beer can I bring duty-free to Canada?

Travellers may bring 1.5 litres of wine, 1.14 litres of spirits, and 8.5 litres of beer duty-free.

Does the 48-hour rule really matter? What if I was away only 24 h?

Yes. Travellers away for less than 48 hours cannot claim any duty-free alcohol exemption.

What if I exceed the duty-free limit — how much will I have to pay?

This depends on duties, excise taxes, provincial markups, and GST/HST. Fees vary by province and type of alcohol.

Are visitors / tourists eligible for duty-free alcohol allowance?

Yes. Visitors can claim the same duty-free allowances as residents if they meet time-away and age requirements.

What if the alcohol is in my checked baggage vs carry-on — does that matter?

No. As long as the alcohol accompanies the traveller and adheres to airline safety rules, the exemption applies.

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