How do I ship cask wine to Canada?!
How do I ship cask wine to Canada?
Hi
I need to send a 4L box of cask wine to a friend in Canada (from Australia). Is this legal? If so how do I do this?
Andrew
Answers:
I have investigated this in the past, as well as talking to a top Coonawarra wine maker (and owner) who told me retail into Canada is uneconomical for his bottles. Serious bulk is apparently easier, through an importer.
Is it legal? Await advice from a Canadian.
It will not be cheap to do.
Canadians are allowed to bring a limited amount of wine back with them if they have been out of the country for a certain amount of time.
Anything above the limit is subject to duty and tax. If your friend has just returned to Canada from a visit with you, AND declared to Customs that the wine was coming as a follow-up shipment, then customs may allow it to enter.
Each of Canada's Provinces has a liquor board that controls the import and distribution of wine/beer/liquor throughout the Province.
Excepting for Canadians returning from abroad, importing wine is not allowed without an import permit. This MUST be arranged in advance or the wine will not be allowed entry.
A broker may have to be appointed, and the broker will charge a fee of some sort. Then there will be the inevitable excise duty plus federal tax plus provincial tax.
Generally speaking, unless the wine is of high value, the expenses will exceed the cost of the product.
Your friend can contact the board in the province where he/she resides and ask what is required, and what is allowed.
NOTE:
If the requirements are not met your friend will never see the wine, as it will be destroyed by Customs.