T&T: Canadian Customs

[Steven Dubnoff]

>Taking a trip to Canada this summer and have received conflicting advice
>regarding taking certain beverages with us.

I can only talk about B.C., I think other provinces may vary.  B.C. 
loves its income from its monopolistic provincial liquor stores.  The 
customs guys seem charged with protecting that income.  They will ask 
you about booze, pepper spray and guns, in that order.

Do _not_ try to sneak liquor past the customs guys.  It is unlikely 
they will catch you, but if you do, you will have a lifetime of 
hassles every time you go across the border.   If you take extra 
liquor and declare it, the duty will be 150% of the amount you paid, 
which seems a bit excessive to me, but I did not make up the rules.

Only solution is to learn to love the B.C. Liquor stores.  Good gin, 
imported from England, is relatively cheap -- You pay the same price 
for Tanqueray as Gordons, more or less.  It pains me to pay B.C. 
prices for lousy wine, but what can you do?  If I wanted good wine at 
reasonable prices, I would stay in the US, but, on the other hand, I 
wouldn't have all of that wonderful seafood to accompany it.

Best,

Steve



Steve Dubnoff
1966 Willard Pilothouse
www.mvnereid.com
sdubnoff@circlesys.com