taking a wine cellar over the border to the US

[photogirl67]

hi

we are moving to AZ from Alberta for winters and want to take our wine collection/cellar with us. We have about 40 bottles of wine. Does anyone know if this is even allowed, or if it is how much duty is imposed on doing such a thing?

I've scoured the internet and the cbp.gov site and at best the answers I can find are sketchy. I don't want to get to the border and have them confiscate it all - I'd rather leave it here for when we come back than have that happen.

has anyone had experience in doing this?

thanks
Darlene

[agnelson]

If you are moving to US, you can import sealed bottles as part of your move.

While sojourners (ie longer term visitors) can bring more personal effects than visitors without duty, not alcohol, other than the normal US import limits (1 bottle per person), otherwise it is subject to duty and tax.

I'd leave your cellar at home and start a second one in AZ.

[Steven]

Ooh, an interesting question. Yes you can take it to Arizona, provided the FDA don't have a problem with it (check the FDA website). However quantities over one litre will be subject to the regular duty visitors have to pay because you're a visitor, not a resident. 36 cents a litre looking at the current rates, but I'm not sure how current that is.

Bear in mind when reading through the blurb you are considered a non-resident, because your principal residence is in Alberta.

[agnelson]

only 36 cents a liter! Bring them down! Pass by my home in MO while your at it.

Just a note that, not only AZ law applies, but state law at the crossing point also.

[Steven]

Which is why the rate info is so vague, probably a good idea to call ahead to the POE for large quantities.

[photogirl67]

POE? point of entry?

so would we pay in Montana where we enter, or in AZ? or both?

[Steven]

Phone Sweetgrass and ask CBP is the best answer to this one. I used to read all the ATF blurb on State liquor control boards, they used to have a State by State guide, not sure if they still do (and I think it's now under the Dept. of the Treasury, not ATF). But suffice to say each State is different, CBP at Sweetgrass are the best people to ask.

Montana tax is 27 cents a litre so add the two together, but how Montana applies it to imports I have no idea, Sweetgrass might.