How much duty would one pay on a $40 dollar bottle of scotch in Canada?
Feb 28, 2008, 5:16 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
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How much duty would one pay on a $40 dollar bottle of scotch in Canada?
Saw a great deal on 2 bottles of Single malts for $80 bucks last night at ORD, but I didn't get it because Canada customs allows only 1 bottle to be brought in duty free. Does anyone know how much would I have paid for the second bottle at YYZ had I purchased it? The woman at the duty free was telling me it shouldn't be no more than 5 bucks, but for some reason I didn't buy that story.
Feb 28, 2008, 6:48 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 470
> I brought in two bottles of wine over my exemption a few
> weeks ago - declared at $20, got nailed for $13 a bottle
> in duty/taxes.
That's interesting.
A few months ago I did some internet searching and asked in various forums how much Canada Customs charges for alchohol that exceeds your personal limit. Canada Customs does not seem to publish duty rates for alchohol anywhere.
Some second-hand reports was that the duty rate beyond your personal limit was something like $1 per ounce, meaning the typical 40 ouncer (1.14 liter) bottle would set you back $40 in duty, and it didn't matter if it was wine or liquor and it didn't matter what you paid for it.
I would imagine that Canada Customs mostly doesn't bother with the rare situation of someone bringing in 1 extra bottle above their limit, maybe even two. I've done it, and have never been asked to pay.
Anyone else have to pay? How much?
> weeks ago - declared at $20, got nailed for $13 a bottle
> in duty/taxes.
That's interesting.
A few months ago I did some internet searching and asked in various forums how much Canada Customs charges for alchohol that exceeds your personal limit. Canada Customs does not seem to publish duty rates for alchohol anywhere.
Some second-hand reports was that the duty rate beyond your personal limit was something like $1 per ounce, meaning the typical 40 ouncer (1.14 liter) bottle would set you back $40 in duty, and it didn't matter if it was wine or liquor and it didn't matter what you paid for it.
I would imagine that Canada Customs mostly doesn't bother with the rare situation of someone bringing in 1 extra bottle above their limit, maybe even two. I've done it, and have never been asked to pay.
Anyone else have to pay? How much?
Feb 28, 2008, 7:44 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 2003
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http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/...d2-3-6-eng.pdf
See Appendix B. It's been linked to here in the AC forum many times over the years.
See Appendix B. It's been linked to here in the AC forum many times over the years.
Feb 28, 2008, 7:48 pm
#5
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I believe it's roughly $12/litre of absolute alcohol. That's 200 proof US. Most single malts are 40-45% alcohol, and I assume the duty is pro rated.
Feb 28, 2008, 7:52 pm
#6
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http://www.CBSA-asfc.gc.ca/trade-com.../menu-eng.html
In addition, there may also be provincial assessments.
Feb 28, 2008, 7:53 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2001
Location: TYO
Posts: 1,496
Just call your local Customs office (or visit one at the airport) and ask for a "TEPS" rating, they'll give you the exact D&T.
And yes, it is pro-rated based on alcohol content... hence the duties on a bottle of wine are much cheaper than a 26'er of JD.
And yes, it is pro-rated based on alcohol content... hence the duties on a bottle of wine are much cheaper than a 26'er of JD.
Feb 28, 2008, 7:57 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: YYZ
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Posts: 165
The duty one pays at Customs is different between each province. For Ontario, it's approx. 59.9% provincial tax plus the 5% gst. There is no actual 'duty' for the item, it's just outrageous provinical tax. But that's for a spirit. Wines/beer are signifigantly less, however still expensive.
The 59.9% is determined through a pro-rating system between literage and price. So for example, you're bringing back a litre bottle of 10 dollar rum from Jamacia, it would still cost about 40 dollars in taxes owed if over your exemption.
There is a loophole though, and it's not well known. You only have to pay provincial tax if you're arriving in the province in which you live. So if you live in Alberta but are going through customs in Toronto, declare all your alcohol since you will only be paying the 5% GST. Now mind you... you're 'supposed' to go to your own liquor board when arriving in your province and pay the taxes there...
If anyone else has any customs/immigration questions, feel free to ask... I'm somewhat of an 'expert' you could say
The 59.9% is determined through a pro-rating system between literage and price. So for example, you're bringing back a litre bottle of 10 dollar rum from Jamacia, it would still cost about 40 dollars in taxes owed if over your exemption.
There is a loophole though, and it's not well known. You only have to pay provincial tax if you're arriving in the province in which you live. So if you live in Alberta but are going through customs in Toronto, declare all your alcohol since you will only be paying the 5% GST. Now mind you... you're 'supposed' to go to your own liquor board when arriving in your province and pay the taxes there...
If anyone else has any customs/immigration questions, feel free to ask... I'm somewhat of an 'expert' you could say
Last edited by Phrantic; Feb 28, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Feb 28, 2008, 7:59 pm
#9
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Don't mean to be repetitive, but the answer to the question is found here
Feb 28, 2008, 10:49 pm
#10
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Feb 29, 2008, 8:49 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
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Just called Customs Canada (1-800-461-9999)
For a $40 bottle of Scotch, a resident of Ontario will be paying $46 dollars on top of it, which comes out to $86 in total !! yikes!!!
For a $40 bottle of Scotch, a resident of Ontario will be paying $46 dollars on top of it, which comes out to $86 in total !! yikes!!!
The duty one pays at Customs is different between each province. For Ontario, it's approx. 59.9% provincial tax plus the 5% gst. There is no actual 'duty' for the item, it's just outrageous provinical tax. But that's for a spirit. Wines/beer are signifigantly less, however still expensive.
The 59.9% is determined through a pro-rating system between literage and price. So for example, you're bringing back a litre bottle of 10 dollar rum from Jamacia, it would still cost about 40 dollars in taxes owed if over your exemption.
There is a loophole though, and it's not well known. You only have to pay provincial tax if you're arriving in the province in which you live. So if you live in Alberta but are going through customs in Toronto, declare all your alcohol since you will only be paying the 5% GST. Now mind you... you're 'supposed' to go to your own liquor board when arriving in your province and pay the taxes there...
If anyone else has any customs/immigration questions, feel free to ask... I'm somewhat of an 'expert' you could say
The 59.9% is determined through a pro-rating system between literage and price. So for example, you're bringing back a litre bottle of 10 dollar rum from Jamacia, it would still cost about 40 dollars in taxes owed if over your exemption.
There is a loophole though, and it's not well known. You only have to pay provincial tax if you're arriving in the province in which you live. So if you live in Alberta but are going through customs in Toronto, declare all your alcohol since you will only be paying the 5% GST. Now mind you... you're 'supposed' to go to your own liquor board when arriving in your province and pay the taxes there...
If anyone else has any customs/immigration questions, feel free to ask... I'm somewhat of an 'expert' you could say
Mar 6, 2008, 7:43 am
#14
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So if I buy a bottle of Scotch whiskey at the duty free at JFK prior to boarding my flight to Halifax, my duty would be ???
I'm a US citizen.
Is it worth taking my own tipple along for the trip?
I'm a US citizen.
Is it worth taking my own tipple along for the trip?
Mar 6, 2008, 8:52 am
#15
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Is it worth taking my own tipple along for the trip?