Distillers Export guides / North America
Exporting spirits to North America
Import rules, duty and licences for whisky, rum, gin, vodka, brandy and bulk spirit in 5 countries. Researched October 2026.
Research guide, not legal advice. Each country links to its full regulations page with sources; check duty with a customs broker before you ship.
Overview
North America offers varied regulatory environments for spirits exporters, spanning duty-free markets and specific duty structures. While alcohol is broadly legal across the region, local dry areas exist in Canada, Greenland, and the United States. Exporters must navigate diverse import mechanisms, from federal permits to local commercial registrations.
- While alcohol is legal overall, dry areas exist within Canada, Greenland, and the United States, unlike in Bermuda and Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
- Most distilled spirits enter Canada customs duty-free at 0% MFN, and enter the United States duty-free under HTSUS General Column 1 rates.
- Saint Pierre and Miquelon provides 0% customs duty for spirits originating in the European Union or associated Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT/PTOM).
- Greenland imposes specific duties tiered by ABV bands starting at DKK 205.00/L, while Bermuda levies $26.57 per litre of pure alcohol for commercial imports.
- Commercial imports into the United States require a federal Basic Importer's Permit, whereas any registered commercial entity can import into Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
- Canada governs packaged commercial imports under the federal IILA, whereas Bermuda and Greenland allow licensed commercial wholesalers, retailers, or registered businesses to import.
Country by country
| Country | Status | Import duty on spirits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bermuda | legal | Specific customs tariff rate under HS Heading 2208 is $26.57 per litre of pure alcohol for commercial imports (or $10.63–$12.89 per bulk litre for passenger baggage and… | Producers Duty-free |
| Canada | dry areas exist | Most distilled spirits under HS Heading 2208 (whisky 2208.30, rum 2208.40, gin 2208.50, vodka 2208.60, liqueurs 2208.70) enter Canada customs duty-free (0% MFN /… | Producers Duty-free |
| Greenland | legal / dry areas exist | Specific import duty (indførselsafgift) based on ABV bands per litre: 22.10%–26.09%: DKK 205.00/L; 26.10%–30.09%: DKK 253.00/L; 30.10%–35.09%: DKK 308.00/L;… | Producers Duty-free |
| Saint Pierre and Miquelon | legal | Spirits (HS 2208) originating in the European Union or associated Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT/PTOM) enter at 0% customs duty (droit de douane); non-EU… | Producers Duty-free |
| United States | legal / dry areas exist | Most distilled spirits (whisky, gin, rum, vodka, tequila under HS 2208) enter duty-free ($0.00 / Free) under HTSUS General Column 1 rates under the multilateral 1994… | Producers Duty-free |
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