Heading to the U.S.? Here's what Canadians can — and can't

Planning a trip south with a bottle of Canadian whisky or Niagara wine in your luggage? You may want to leave it at home.

New U.S. import restrictions that took effect Sept. 29 prohibit certain Canadian-made products from entering the country. The measures cover a wide range of alcohol, some whey and molasses products, non-alcoholic beer and certain motorcycles.

For Canadian travellers, there's an important distinction: these goods aren't simply facing higher tariffs. Products covered by the new rules are banned from importation.

Can I bring one bottle of Canadian alcohol into the U.S.?

For the Canadian alcohol covered by the new rules, travellers should not assume the usual personal allowance applies.

The U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau now warns that certain alcoholic beverages that are products of Canada are "excluded from importation" as of Sept. 29. It directs questions about the prohibition to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

That means paying duty at the border does not turn an affected product into an admissible one.

The ban replaced the 50 per cent tariff that previously applied to those specific products. Other Canadian alcohol products that were not moved onto the banned list can remain subject to tariffs instead.

Which Canadian alcoholic drinks are banned?

The official U.S. list covers many products travellers might normally pack for a trip.

They include packaged beer, sparkling and table wines, cider, sake, gin, vodka, rum, liqueurs, whisky and several types of brandy.

For products marked "packaged," the U.S. defines that as alcohol in bottles, cans, boxes, kegs or similar containers intended for direct consumption.

There is an important catch. Some alcohol shipped in bulk falls outside the ban, which is why Canadian products may still reach U.S. stores after being bottled there. Reuters reports the restrictions are hitting Canadian producers that bottle domestically particularly hard.

For the average traveller carrying a retail bottle, however, that commercial workaround offers little help.

What other Canadian products are banned?

Alcohol isn't the only category affected.

The U.S. dairy-related order covers whey protein concentrates and several other whey products, certain molasses and non-alcoholic beer.

A separate order bans Canadian-origin motorcycles and mopeds with engines larger than 800 cc.

The rules apply to products of Canada, rather than everything simply purchased in Canada. That distinction matters. A bottle made in another country but bought at a Canadian store is not targeted by this particular Canada-origin ban, although normal U.S. customs and alcohol rules still apply.

Because the Canada-U.S. trade rules have changed quickly in recent months, travellers should check the latest U.S. guidance before crossing — and declare anything they're unsure about.