Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 05-15-2016, 03:49 PM   #1
Moderator Emeritus
 
dwhatty's Avatar
 
City: Home Port: Buck's Harbor, Maine
Vessel Name: "Emily Anne"
Vessel Model: 2001 Island Gypsy 32 Europa (Hull #146)
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,846
Bringing excess alcohol and tobacco into Canada

I have been perusing the Canadian government websites as to what amount one can bring in. I understand the duty free limits.

But I am confused by the available info as to what happens if I bring in amounts that exceed the duty free limits.

If one has excess, does Customs confiscate the excess or all?

Or can one declare the excess, pay duty on it and keep it?

If one can declare, pay and keep, how can one know in advance what the duty might be?

The duty free limits are just not going to last this boy for the time we will be in Canada. Yes, I understand that one can buy what's needed in Canada, and will probably do that, but I still want to know the answers.
__________________
David Hawkins
Deer Isle, Maine
dwhatty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2016, 04:06 PM   #2
Guru
 
caltexflanc's Avatar
 
City: North Carolina for now
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,348
You declare, or they find, and pay your duty.
__________________
George

"There's the Right Way, the Wrong Way, and what some guy says he's gotten away with"
caltexflanc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2016, 04:22 PM   #3
Moderator Emeritus
 
dwhatty's Avatar
 
City: Home Port: Buck's Harbor, Maine
Vessel Name: "Emily Anne"
Vessel Model: 2001 Island Gypsy 32 Europa (Hull #146)
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,846
Okay, thanks, we declare, they don't confiscate. Good to know that. But how do we calculate in advance what the duty may be?
__________________
David Hawkins
Deer Isle, Maine
dwhatty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2016, 04:42 PM   #4
Guru
 
Capt.Bill11's Avatar
 
City: Sarasota/Ft. Lauderdale
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,438
I can't speak to Canada but going into most countries there is no duty on ships stores.
Capt.Bill11 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2016, 04:44 PM   #5
TF Site Team
 
Larry M's Avatar
 
City: Jacksonville
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 11,683
You should declare everything. If they find alcohol that hasn't been declared, even if you under the personnel limit, they will take it. I went through this going into BC.
Larry M is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2016, 04:55 PM   #6
Moderator Emeritus
 
Bay Pelican's Avatar
 
City: Chicago, IL
Vessel Name: Bay Pelican
Vessel Model: Krogen 42
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,993
Declare it. If the agent thinks it is a reasonable amount for personal use on a cruising boat the agent will likely ignore the limit. What they are looking for is someone bringing supplies into Canada to share with Canadians.

We have always been over and have never paid duty. Be sure to mention that almost all the spirits bottles are opened.
__________________
Marty
Bay Pelican is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2016, 05:40 PM   #7
Guru
 
caltexflanc's Avatar
 
City: North Carolina for now
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,348
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bay Pelican View Post
Declare it. If the agent thinks it is a reasonable amount for personal use on a cruising boat the agent will likely ignore the limit. What they are looking for is someone bringing supplies into Canada to share with Canadians.

We have always been over and have never paid duty. Be sure to mention that almost all the spirits bottles are opened.
"Likely" but not always..I have been nickel and dimed, and I have been simply told "have a great visit and don't use that stuff up while you are underway".
__________________
George

"There's the Right Way, the Wrong Way, and what some guy says he's gotten away with"
caltexflanc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2016, 05:41 PM   #8
Moderator Emeritus
 
dwhatty's Avatar
 
City: Home Port: Buck's Harbor, Maine
Vessel Name: "Emily Anne"
Vessel Model: 2001 Island Gypsy 32 Europa (Hull #146)
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,846
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bay Pelican View Post
Declare it. If the agent thinks it is a reasonable amount for personal use on a cruising boat the agent will likely ignore the limit. What they are looking for is someone bringing supplies into Canada to share with Canadians.

We have always been over and have never paid duty. Be sure to mention that almost all the spirits bottles are opened.
Hmmm. Will have to sample each bottle and each carton of cancer sticks before we get there then.
__________________
David Hawkins
Deer Isle, Maine
dwhatty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2016, 06:06 PM   #9
Guru
 
menzies's Avatar
 
City: Jacksonville
Vessel Name: SONAS
Vessel Model: Grand Alaskan 53
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 7,235
Don't know ab out those northerners, but if you go to the Bahamas - stock that puppy up!
menzies is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2016, 06:22 PM   #10
TF Site Team
 
Bacchus's Avatar
 
City: Seneca Lake NY
Vessel Name: Bacchus
Vessel Model: MS 34 HT Trawler
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 7,828
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bay Pelican View Post
Declare it. If the agent thinks it is a reasonable amount for personal use on a cruising boat the agent will likely ignore the limit. What they are looking for is someone bringing supplies into Canada to share with Canadians.

We have always been over and have never paid duty. Be sure to mention that almost all the spirits bottles are opened.
I have heard others w boats & motorhomes state they declared they carry a "stocked bar" (open bottles) that are for their use and will not be given to others or left in Canada... and were not charged duty. Tobacco is different animal.
Not much benefit in taking extra and paying duty IMHO...don't have exact #$ but duty isn't nominal it's significant.
Definately not worth taking wine in as it reasonably priced vs US + duty...been there done that - once.
no idea why the inconsistency.
We were boarded & checked once but it was obvious they were interested in other priorities (guns drugs...?) as they didn't count very closely and we were over!
No problem...have a nice visit!
__________________
Don
2008 MS 34 HT Trawler
"Bacchus"
Bacchus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2016, 06:47 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
DCBD's Avatar
 
City: Sidney BC
Vessel Name: Our Island
Vessel Model: KK Manatee
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 202
Every border official is different and they all have their good days and bad days, so no telling what they might do if you bring in more than you're allowed. The best policy is always tell the truth because if they think you are being deceptive in any way they will confiscate any excess liquor they find. If they do decide to charge for bringing in excess liquor or tobacco they will estimate the value and charge 5% of the total (our GST). If you still have excess when you return home you may get charged again for bringing it into the US.
DCBD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2016, 07:37 PM   #12
Moderator Emeritus
 
dwhatty's Avatar
 
City: Home Port: Buck's Harbor, Maine
Vessel Name: "Emily Anne"
Vessel Model: 2001 Island Gypsy 32 Europa (Hull #146)
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,846
Quote:
Originally Posted by DCBD View Post
. If they do decide to charge for bringing in excess liquor or tobacco they will estimate the value and charge 5% of the total (our GST). .
Okay. Thanks. That gives me a figure. Can live with that.
__________________
David Hawkins
Deer Isle, Maine
dwhatty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2016, 07:58 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
City: PNW
Vessel Name: EXILE
Vessel Model: HANS CHRISTIAN TRAWLER
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 134
Last time we entered Canada they took away our eggs and chicken (avian flu related confiscation). We were told that if we checked the CA website we would have known which items we could not bring in.
As far as fruits/veggies, we cut them up and place in tupperware? and then the fridge. Never a problem.
At Point Roberts they took away our garlic imported from China???????
Its hit and miss. I just wish US customs would be as courteous and cordial as the Canadians
petdoc4u is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2016, 08:28 PM   #14
Guru
 
City: Here
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,940
Quote:
Originally Posted by DCBD View Post
Every border official is different and they all have their good days and bad days, so no telling what they might do if you bring in more than you're allowed. The best policy is always tell the truth because if they think you are being deceptive in any way they will confiscate any excess liquor they find. If they do decide to charge for bringing in excess liquor or tobacco they will estimate the value and charge 5% of the total (our GST). If you still have excess when you return home you may get charged again for bringing it into the US.
This is not correct, there is an excise tax on top of GST and it's different for wines, beer and liquor. I brought a $17.00 bottle of rum in from NY a few weeks ago. The duty was $35.00.

PS. Neither Canadian nor US customs recognize "ships stores" as duty free in pleasure craft as stores cannot be sealed and bonded.
boatpoker is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2016, 08:55 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
DCBD's Avatar
 
City: Sidney BC
Vessel Name: Our Island
Vessel Model: KK Manatee
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 202
OK, to be honest I've never brought alcohol or tobacco into Canada, everything other than that I've only been charged GST. I stand corrected.
DCBD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2016, 10:54 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
Nsail's Avatar
 
City: Benicia CA
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 499
Quote:
Originally Posted by DCBD View Post
Every border official is different and they all have their good days and bad days, so no telling what they might do if you bring in more than you're allowed. The best policy is always tell the truth
This part of the post is correct.
Nsail is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2016, 11:19 PM   #17
Guru
 
City: Hotel, CA
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 8,323
David, what is excess alcohol???
__________________
Craig

It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they've been fooled - Mark Twain
CPseudonym is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-16-2016, 12:21 AM   #18
TF Site Team
 
koliver's Avatar
 
City: Saltspring Island
Vessel Name: Retreat
Vessel Model: C&L 44
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,663
David:

I learned the hard way that the excise tax and other taxes on "excess" liquor raises the price of otherwise cheaper beverages brought into Canada to approximately the same level as charged in our liquor stores. Instead of giving them a reason to thoroughly inspect your boat, bring a charge card and otherwise limit your liquor to the duty free limits.
koliver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-16-2016, 12:52 AM   #19
Senior Member
 
Retriever's Avatar
 
City: Seattle, WA
Vessel Name: Akeeva
Vessel Model: Nordhavn 50
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 449
I spent 50 minutes being inspected today at Bedwell Harbour. No violations found, and I had alcohol well in excess of the duty-free maximum. I declared it, they didn't find any more than I declared (I declared everything), and they let me through...no duty charged.

The excess was partial bottles of liquor, most at least half empty.

The agents that inspected the boat were friendly. They said they don't care much about "reasonable" excess liquor, as long as it's declared. When they catch you lying, they crack down.

As long as you declare what you have, the worst thing they do is charge duty or confiscate. If you lie, they can deny entry, add you to the "bad" list, and levy fines.

My 24 beers and 8 partial bottles of liquor were considered reasonable.

Also declare any weapons, including mace (not allowed) and bear spray (allowed, as long as it's clearly labeled for bear use).

They asked a bunch of questions about various types of marijuana. I guess as a 26-year-old coming from a state with legal weed, I fit the profile...
Retriever is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-16-2016, 01:29 AM   #20
Guru
 
BandB's Avatar
 
City: Fort Lauderdale. Florida, USA
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 21,449
Quote:
Originally Posted by Retriever View Post

The agents that inspected the boat were friendly. They said they don't care much about "reasonable" excess liquor, as long as it's declared. When they catch you lying, they crack down.
And declare accurately. The biggest hold ups I've seen of US boaters going to the Bahamas has been over incorrect counts of ammunition. The wrong agent and that can lead to hours and dollars. Even as friendly as Canadian agents are, it you give them a reason to mistrust you, then they'll quickly become far less so.

I would also warn those traveling, especially from weed legal states, make sure you have none on you or your boat and make sure none of your guests or mates do. Even more sure for the USCG. Much like policemen, they never believe the one clearly visible is the only one and they don't care.

But then traveling to some countries of Europe the penalties are far worse and nothing the US can really do to help you out of the trouble.
BandB is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Trawler Port Captains
Port Captains are TF volunteers who can serve as local guides or assist with local arrangements and information. Search below to locate Port Captains near your destination. To learn more about this program read here: TF Port Captain Program





All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:19 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2006 - 2012