Alcohol and Tobacco Import Restrictions

There are strict limits on the import of tobacco and alcohol for personal use into Canada. If you exceed the limit you may have to pay tariffs and taxes.

Tobacco:
If you are 19 or older you may bring one carton (200 cigarettes) or 50 cigars into Canada without paying any extra charges.  Contact the Canada Border Services Agency  for further information, and see Information for Visitors to Canada on the Border Service Agency website.

The maximum tobacco you can bring into Canada without an importer's license, including the duty free allowance, is 2,000 cigarettes (10 cartons) or 500 cigars. This will be subject to tariffs and taxes.

Wine: 
If you are 19 or older you may bring 1.5 litres of wine (two 750ml bottles) into Canada without paying any extra charges.  Contact the Canada Border Services Agency  for further information, and see "Information for Visitors to Canada and Seasonal Residents" on the Border Service Agency website.

The maximum volume of wine you can bring into Nova Scotia, Canada without an importer's license, including the duty free allowance, is  9.1 litres with an absence of 48 hours or more. Excise duties and a provincial fee will have to be paid on the 9.1 litres.   Contact  the Nova Scotia Liquor Commission for further information.

Hard Liquor: 
If you are 19 or older you may bring 1.14 Litres of hard liquor (40oz US) into Canada without paying any extra charges.  Contact the Canada Border Services Agency for further information, and see "Information for Visitors to Canada and Seasonal Residents" on the Border Service Agency website.

Contact the Nova Scotia Liquor Commission for information about the maximum volume of liquor you can bring into Nova Scotia, Canada without an importer's license, subject to tariffs and taxes.  

Note: You can bring in your allowance of either wine or hard liquor but not both at the same time.