CarryRules

How much Alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) can I bring into Canada?

Allowed

You can bring Alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) into Canada without a special limit.

Extra conditions apply

Carried Allowed
Declaration Not required
Limit No stated quantity

What you need to know

  • No stated quantity
  • Channels: Carried with the traveler
  • Extra conditions apply

On the plane

Airline differences

Important

This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Questions about Alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) in Canada

Do I have to declare alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) at Canada customs?
No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.

Source: Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) — Non-residents’ Temporary Importation of Baggage and Conveyances Regulations · verified 2026-09-19

What happens if I do not declare alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) in Canada?
Under Memorandum D2-3-1, Tariff item No. 9804.30.00, Note 1, if you declare the excess yourself: a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess; the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under Customs Act, section 124, if the goods are found without being declared: an administrative fine is imposed. Under Customs Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 1: the goods are confiscated; an administrative fine is imposed.

Source: Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) — Memorandum D2-3-1, Personal Exemptions for Residents Returning to Canada · verified 2026-09-20

Can I post or ship alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) to Canada instead of carrying it?
Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.

Source: Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) — Postal Imports Remission Order (SI/85-181) · verified 2026-09-20

Is there a minimum age for the alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) allowance in Canada?
Yes — 18 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) at all, not a smaller one.

Source: Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) — Memorandum D2-3-1, Personal Exemptions for Residents Returning to Canada · verified 2026-09-20

Can I take alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) out of Canada?
Canada publishes no separate rule for taking alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Canada limit for alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) apply per person or per family?
Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.

Source: Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) — Non-residents’ Temporary Importation of Baggage and Conveyances Regulations · verified 2026-09-19

Where does this rule come from?
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) states it in Non-residents’ Temporary Importation of Baggage and Conveyances Regulations. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.

Source: Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) — Non-residents’ Temporary Importation of Baggage and Conveyances Regulations · verified 2026-09-19

How does Canada compare with other countries on alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap)?
Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap), 13 limit it and 6 let it through. Canada is among the ones that set a limit.