Duty-free liquor

**Bob C** · 6th January 11, 12:57 PM

I'm going to Canada for a curling tournament next weekend and I'd like to pick up some liquor at a duty-free shop at the border. I've already familiarized myself with the laws regarding amounts and such, so here's my question: Is it cheaper to buy liquor when entering Canada or coming home? Is there any difference at all?

**ForresterModern** · 6th January 11, 01:03 PM

Depends. I do not know what the typical bottle size in Canada is, but in the US it is 750ml, and in Europe 700ml, about a 7% less difference in volume for price. But, a lot of times when you find the liquor you are looking for in a duty free shop, it may very well be in a 1000ml bottle, so you kind of have to do a litte bit of math to figure out the cost per volume in order to know if it is worth it. IMHO and past experience I typically find the same particular liquor at about the same price in duty free as at home here in the US, but when you factor in the extra volume (remember price per volume) it is well worth the effort. Usually.

j

**Lallans** · 6th January 11, 02:34 PM

Since I travel in the opposite direction when going 'abroad' all I can contribute is that, somewhat depending on the State, hard liquor is immensely cheaper on the US side than in Canada, and sometimes the available bottles are larger too. How that plays out at the duty frees is possibly another question. You may be able to ask them, via Google or whatever.

But, curlers drink? I had no idea.

**piperdbh** · 6th January 11, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by Canuck of NI

But, curlers drink? I had no idea.

I bet that would make for some interesting sweeping.

Do keep us posted on your findings about the price comparison.
I used to know a family who would do the same thing with cigarettes. One state had lower cigarette taxes than the state in which they lived, so this family would go into that state and buy as many as they could afford.

**Bob C** · 6th January 11, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by Canuck of NI

But, curlers drink? I had no idea.

Originally Posted by piperdbh

I bet that would make for some interesting sweeping.

Do keep us posted on your findings about the price comparison.
I used to know a family who would do the same thing with cigarettes. One state had lower cigarette taxes than the state in which they lived, so this family would go into that state and buy as many as they could afford.

Yeah, my mother used to travel to Pennsylvania to buy cigarettes (not a long drive from here).

**Slowburn** · 6th January 11, 08:22 PM

You can only shop duty free when entering into your own country providing that you stick to the alloted volume. On atrip to Mexico I bought two 750 ml bottles of mescal and they only charged me $1.10 duty for one of the bottles and the other was duty free. I was ony there for two hours. On one trip from Canada I bought a bottle of remey martin at the duty free for eighty dollars the sme bottle I have seen in my local for One hundred and fifty. I recommend researching the prices of what you might want to buy and you will know the deal when you see it.

**xman** · 6th January 11, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by Canuck of NI

But, curlers drink? I had no idea.

Another benefit to hitting the duty free is getting a bottle that you just can't find at home.

**Bob C** · 6th January 11, 08:58 PM

I already figured on comparing the prices from local stores to the duty free. My conundrum is, I don't want to find out coming home that I could have gotten it cheaper going in and I don't want to buy it going in and find out it's a lot cheaper coming out.

I'm frugal.

And, yes, beer will be consumed during the matches. It's tradition for the winners to buy the losers a round of drinks, and no one likes to make his opponent drink alone.

**Lallans** · 7th January 11, 07:04 AM

Originally Posted by piperdbh

I bet that would make for some interesting sweeping.

Do keep us posted on your findings about the price comparison.
I used to know a family who would do the same thing with cigarettes. One state had lower cigarette taxes than the state in which they lived, so this family would go into that state and buy as many as they could afford.

I'm fond of telling friends who still smoke about sneaking up to Vermont vending machines when I was in my tweens and putting in four quarters to get five packs of smokes- the same amount about buys one one cigarette nowadays.

Originally Posted by xman

Another benefit to hitting the duty free is getting a bottle that you just can't find at home.

I should plug the LCBO, the gov't agency that (legally) sells booze here in Ontario. They are the largest such retailer in the world and if you can find one of their "Vintages" stores you have a good chance of getting a unique brand of Scotch not sold elsewhere. Take money though.

**starbkjrus** · 7th January 11, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by Slowburn

You can only shop duty free when entering into your own country
...snip.

Actually this is not quite correct. You can shop duty free in the country you are LEAVING. The goods you purchase at the Duty Free shop are supposed to be consumed (or used if hardgoods) outside the country where you bought them.

Bob technically if you want a bottle while in Canada you should buy it as the US Duty Free and if you want to bring it home with you buy it in Canada. It's not really kosher to buy Duty Free booze in the US and then re-import it when you return home. I'm sure Wompet could clarify.