Alcohol and tobacco in Varadero: What you can bring (or not)
I've often been told: "My sister had no problems going through Canadian customs upon her return." Maybe, but is that a guarantee? Not really! ;-)
Regarding alcohol and tobacco in Varadero
The answer is: maybe yes, maybe no. In reality, several factors determine what you can bring back and, more importantly, in what quantities. For example, you may be interested to know that, for the Canada Border Services Agency, certain exemptions only apply under certain conditions:
Minimum length of absence : To qualify for an exemption, you must be absent from Canada for at least seven days. The calculation of the length of absence excludes the day you left Canada, but includes the day you returned. For example, if you leave on Friday the 7th and return on Friday the 14th, you meet the conditions for the exemption.
What if I want to bring in more?
It's possible! But be careful, there are rules to follow:
Except for restricted items, you can bring back as many goods as you want. However, if you exceed your personal exemption, you will have to pay applicable provincial or territorial duties, taxes and levies on the excess.
How to navigate all these rules?
The most cautious travelers will make sure to strictly respect the limits imposed. Those who like to take a little more risk will tell themselves that at worst, they will pay the duties on their return. But be careful, in some cases, a fine can be added to the customs duties. It is therefore better to calculate carefully what you want to bring back to evaluate if it is worth it.
Do not rely solely on experiences shared on forums, including on our page. Since most of us prepare our trips several months in advance, it is wise to consult official sources to make informed choices.
Alcoholic beverages
Alcoholic beverages are products with an alcohol content exceeding 0.5%. Certain products containing alcohol or wine and not exceeding 0.5% alcohol are not considered alcoholic beverages.
If you have spent 48 hours or more outside of Canada, you can import one of the following quantities of alcohol without paying duties or taxes:
Product | Metric system | Imperial system | Estimated number |
Wine | A maximum of 1.5 liters | A maximum of 53 fluid ounces | Two 750 ml bottles of wine |
Alcoholic beverages | A total of 1.14 liters | A total of 40 fluid ounces | A large standard bottle of spirits |
Beer or ale | A total of 8.5 liters | A total of 287 fluid ounces | 24 cans or bottles of 355 ml each of beer or ale |
To import alcohol, you must meet the age requirement set in the province or territory you are entering Canada. The minimum age to import alcoholic beverages, as set by provincial or territorial authorities, is 18 years in the provinces of Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec and 19 years in the other provinces and territories.
The CBSA classifies coolers according to the type of alcohol they contain. For example, beer coolers are considered beer, and wine coolers are considered wine.
The quantities of alcoholic beverages you can import must comply with the limits set by the provincial or territorial liquor regulatory authorities where you are entering Canada. If the quantity of alcohol you wish to import exceeds your personal exemption, you will be required to pay duties, taxes and any applicable provincial or territorial levies. Contact the appropriate provincial or territorial liquor regulatory authority for more information before returning to Canada.
Tobacco products
If you want to speed up your passage through customs, make sure the tobacco products you have purchased are ready for inspection when you arrive.
Whether stamped or not, if you bring back tobacco products that exceed your personal exemption, you will have to pay the current duties and taxes as well as any provincial or territorial levies that apply on the amount over the exemption limit.
Note: You must be 18 years of age to bring tobacco products into Canada under your personal exemption.
Stamped tobacco products – personal exemption amounts
If you want to import duty-free cigarettes, manufactured tobacco and tobacco sticks under your personal exemption, the packages must bear the " duty paid Canada droit acquitté " stamp. You will find tobacco products sold at duty-free stores bearing this stamp.
If you have spent 48 hours or more outside of Canada, you can import all of the following quantities of cigars and tobacco stamped into Canada without having to pay duties and taxes.
Product | Amount |
Cigarettes | 200 cigarettes |
Cigars | 50 cigars |
Manufactured tobacco | 200 grams (7 ounces) of manufactured tobacco |
Tobacco sticks | 200 tobacco sticks |
Unstamped tobacco products – special duty rate
A special rate of duty applies to cigarettes, manufactured tobacco and tobacco sticks that do not bear the “ duty paid Canada droit acquitté ” stamp.
For example, if you bring back a carton of 200 cigarettes under your personal exemption and it does not bear the " duty paid Canada droit acquitté " stamp, a special duty rate will be applied.
Unstamped tobacco products – import limits
In addition to your personal exemption amounts, there are limits on the quantity of tobacco products that can be imported if they are not packaged and do not bear the “ duty paid Canada droit acquitté ” stamp. The limit is currently five units of tobacco products. A unit of tobacco products is one of the following:
Product | Amount |
Cigarettes | 200 cigarettes |
Cigars | 50 cigars |
Manufactured tobacco | 200 grams (7 ounces) of manufactured tobacco |
Tobacco sticks | 200 tobacco sticks |
Here is the official website to consult to find out the rules in force with the Canada Border Services Agency: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/declare-eng.html
For our members from other countries, such as Europe or South America, please feel free to share the equivalent official links to help your compatriots prepare well.
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