What happens if I do not declare other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs) 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.

Do duty-free purchases count toward the Canada allowance for other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs)?

Yes. What you buy in an arrival duty-free shop comes out of the same allowance, so the shop does not add to what you may already be carrying.

Can I post or ship other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs) 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.

Is there a minimum age for the other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs) allowance in Canada?

Yes — 18 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs) at all, not a smaller one.

Does the Canada limit for other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs) apply per person or per family?

Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.

Where does this rule come from?

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) states it in Memorandum D2-1-1: Temporary Importation of Baggage and Conveyances by Non-Residents. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.

How does Canada compare with other countries on other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs)?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs), 11 limit it and 8 let it through. Canada is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs) can I bring into Canada?

Declare

You can bring Other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs) into Canada, but you must declare it.

Cabin baggage —

Checked baggage —

Declaration Required

Limit 1.14 liter

What you need to know

1.14 liter (38.55 US fl oz)
Channels: Carried with the traveler

On the plane

Airline differences

Airline	Difference from the baseline
Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA)	Stricter than the standard rule

Important

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

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Memorandum D2-1-1: Temporary Importation of Baggage and Conveyances by Non-Residents Canada Border Services Agency

Questions about Other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs) in Canada

How much other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs) can I bring into Canada?: Canada allows other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs) to be brought in, but it has to be declared once it reaches 1.14 liters of other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs). The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs) at Canada customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to Canada customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs) 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.
Do duty-free purchases count toward the Canada allowance for other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs)?: Yes. What you buy in an arrival duty-free shop comes out of the same allowance, so the shop does not add to what you may already be carrying.
Can I post or ship other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs) 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.
Is there a minimum age for the other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs) allowance in Canada?: Yes — 18 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs) at all, not a smaller one.
Can I take other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs) out of Canada?: Canada publishes no separate rule for taking other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Canada limit for other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs) apply per person or per family?: Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
Where does this rule come from?: Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) states it in Memorandum D2-1-1: Temporary Importation of Baggage and Conveyances by Non-Residents. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.
How does Canada compare with other countries on other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs)?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs), 11 limit it and 8 let it through. Canada is among the ones that set a limit.

Related items

Accompanied cash Accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) Agricultural/forestry/fishery/livestock products (general sub-cap) Alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over)

Related countries

Australia China France Germany

Other items in this group

Alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over) Alcohol and alcoholic beverages up to and including 22% vol Alcoholic beverages (all types) Alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) Alcoholic beverages (standard 760 ml bottle) Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV