Alcohol regulations in Quebec

Licences needed

RACJ Distiller Permit (Permis de distillateur) or Artisan Production Permit; Federal Spirits Licence (Excise Duty licence) from CRA under Excise Act, 2001.

Authority

Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (RACJ) [provincial]; Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) [federal].

Documents

RACJ application form, municipal zoning/compliance certificate, floor plans/diagram of premises and equipment, lease or proof of ownership, personal background/good moral character declarations, corporate registration documents, and federal excise security bond.

Fees

RACJ application fee: $335; annual permit duties payable October 1: $4,481 for global volume ≤ 3,000 hL, $8,960 for global volume > 3,000 hL (Artisan permits: $335 application, $447 annual duties).

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Who can import

Only the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) has the legal authority to commercially import spirits into Quebec. Foreign producers must sell directly to the SAQ or partner with an authorized local promotional agent for private imports (importations privées). Individual personal imports are capped at 45 litres and must be cleared through the SAQ.

Licences or registrations

SAQ Supplier Number and registration on the SAQ-B2B portal; designation of an authorized Quebec promotional agent (représentant accrédité).

Authority

Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

Documents

Supplier coordinates form, banking details (IBAN/SWIFT), agent representation mandate letter, pro forma invoice / CBSA clearance documentation, and certificate of origin.

Fees

No statutory fee for registering as an SAQ supplier; commercial agency fees and SAQ markup/handling charges apply.

Time to obtain

4 to 12 weeks

Required

yes

Process

Spirits must be listed with the SAQ via regular tender calls (appels d'offres) or registered for private import. The SAQ conducts technical compliance checks and laboratory analysis on submitted samples to verify alcoholic strength, chemical purity, and label compliance with provincial and federal standards.

Authority

Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ).

Documents and samples

Certificate of analysis from an accredited lab, product specification sheet, digital label artwork (showing French language compliance), and product samples sent using the CBSA Customs Clearance Transmittal Form for Samples.

Fees

SAQ laboratory analysis fee per product / SKU (varies by product type); administrative listing fees.

Renewal

Certificates of origin must be renewed annually; listings remain subject to ongoing sales performance quotas.

Time to obtain

2 to 4 months

Monopoly import model: SAQ serves as the legal Importer of Record for commercial shipments. Shipments must be addressed to the SAQ or handled through bonded warehouses authorized by the SAQ. Federal excise stamps must be affixed to all bottles before entering the domestic commercial stream under the federal Excise Act, 2001. Shipments require commercial invoices, CBSA documentation, and certificates of origin (e.g., CUSMA, CETA).

Spirits under HS 2208 (whisky, gin, rum, vodka, liqueurs) enter Canada customs duty-free (0%) under Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) tariff treatment and preferential trade agreements (CUSMA, CETA, CPTPP).

Federal excise duty on spirits is $13.303 per litre of absolute alcohol (adjusted under Excise Act, 2001). Quebec Specific Tax on Alcoholic Beverages (Taxe spécifique sur les boissons alcooliques administered by Revenu Québec) is $1.40 per litre on spirits. Federal GST (5%) and Quebec Sales Tax (QST / TVQ at 9.975%) apply on the retail price inclusive of specific taxes. The SAQ also applies its standard commercial markup.

Monopoly retail system: The SAQ operates retail stores across Quebec and holds exclusive rights to retail spirits. Microdistilleries/artisan distillers holding valid permits may sell spirits manufactured on-site directly to consumers at their production premises. Grocery and convenience stores (dépanneurs) may sell beer and Quebec-bottled wines/ciders, but cannot sell distilled spirits. Permitted off-premise alcohol sale hours: 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM; licensed bars/restaurants serve on-premise until 3:00 AM.

Restricted. The SAQ operates an exclusive consumer ecommerce delivery portal (SAQ.com) delivering across the province or to SAQ branch locations. Licensed Quebec craft distillers are permitted to sell their own manufactured spirits online for home delivery within Quebec. Direct interprovincial retail shipping to consumers from outside Quebec is restricted.

Federal regulations (Food and Drugs Act/Regulations, Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act) require: common name, net volume in metric units, % alc./vol., name and address of producer/importer, country of origin, batch/lot number, allergen declarations and ingredient list for unstandardized products. Unique provincial rule: Under Quebec's Charter of the French Language (enhanced by Bill 96), French is mandatory on all labels and must be presented with at least equal prominence to any other language. Federal excise stamp must be present on bottle closures.

Regulated under the RACJ Regulation respecting promotion, advertising and educational programs relating to alcoholic beverages (CQLR c. P-9.1, r. 6). Manufacturer advertising requires mandatory pre-approval by the RACJ at least 5 business days prior to dissemination. Manufacturers must submit an annual educational moderation program by March 1. Advertising cannot target minors, depict consumption as promoting social/financial/sexual success, encourage excessive consumption, or link alcohol with operating a motor vehicle. Commercial advertising must comply with the Charter of the French Language.

Spirits standards of identity are federally prescribed under Division 2, Part B of Canada's Food and Drug Regulations (C.R.C., c. 870) and apply directly in Quebec: Whisky (potable alcoholic distillate from cereal grain, aged minimum 3 years in small wood, minimum 40% ABV); Rum (distillate of sugarcane or molasses, aged minimum 1 year in wood, minimum 40% ABV); Vodka (distillate from cereal grain or potato, treated charcoal/materials to be neutral, minimum 40% ABV); Gin (alcohol flavoured with juniper berries, minimum 40% ABV); Brandy (distillate from wine, aged minimum 6 months in oak, minimum 40% ABV).

Certain Indigenous northern communities in Nunavik (Inuit communities such as Puvirnituq, Salluit, and Kuujjuaq) and Eeyou Istchee (Cree communities) exercise local autonomy under northern governance agreements and municipal bylaws to impose quotas, local permits, or total bans on the import, sale, and possession of distilled spirits.

• Introduction and legislative advancement of Bill 11 (regulatory relief legislation tabled late 2025/early 2026) containing provisions to authorize grocery and convenience stores (dépanneurs) to sell spirit-based ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages up to 7% ABV, ending the SAQ retail monopoly for this specific format while maintaining the SAQ as exclusive wholesaler.
• Stricter enforcement of French language marking and inscription requirements under Charter of the French Language regulations (Bill 96 amendments) impacting commercial packaging, websites, and promotional materials.
• Federal excise duty indexation adjustments maintained at a 2% statutory cap for alcohol duties through 2026.

Exporters must partner with an SAQ-authorized promotional agent to enter the lucrative 'importation privée' market or bid in SAQ formal tenders for broad distribution across 400+ provincial monopoly stores. Significant demand exists for premium spirits, unique botanical expressions, and upcoming lower-ABV spirit RTDs as retail channel access broadens.

• Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (RACJ)
• Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ)
• Revenu Québec
• Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
• Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) - Excise Duty

1. RACJ - Frais et droits payables se rattachant aux permis de fabricants d'alcool
2. Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) - Information for Suppliers and Private Imports
3. Revenu Québec - Rate of the Specific Tax on Alcoholic Beverages
4. Government of Quebec - Regulation respecting promotion, advertising and educational programs relating to alcoholic beverages (P-9.1, r. 6)
5. Alcohollaws.ca - Quebec Alcohol Laws Overview