Alcohol shipments to a Canadian island located off the coast of Maine have resumed, after a bonded truck was denied entry at the Canada–U.S. International Border Tuesday. In a statement to CTV News, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the truck headed for Campobello Island was carrying “over 1,000 bottles of spirits within the shipment.” “Under recent presidential proclamations that took effect on Sept. 29, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time, specific Canadian alcoholic beverages are restricted from entering or transiting through the territory of the United States,” read the Oct. 1 statement from a spokesperson with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). “Because the cargo fell within the scope of these new restrictions, it could no longer proceed under its intended in-bond transit status.” Alcool NB Liquor (ANBL) shared an update on Monday saying they were prepared to look at alternatives for delivery. “We are aware of the situation that occurred last week,” a spokesperson for ANBL told CTV News in an email. “We have since been made aware the situation at the border has now been resolved and deliveries of beverage alcohol to Campobello Island via Calais, Maine have resumed.” Access to Campobello Island Campobello Island can be accessed year-round by bridge via Lubec, Maine — about 80 kilometres by road from the St. Stephen-Calais border crossing – or seasonally by ferry. After being refused entry into the U.S., the truck boarded a provincial government ferry to Deer Island, N.B., where a privately run ferry carried it to Campobello Island. The private ferry, however, is scheduled to cease operations for the season on Oct. 12 as it can’t handle rough winter crossings. New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt said Thursday there are talks about extending the ferry season. John Williamson, Member of Parliament for the riding of New Brunswick Southwest, said in a social media post Tuesday the truck typically travels to the island every weekday under a special Canada Border Services Agency licence to service its less than 1,000 residents. The truck is sealed with a customs tag guarantying it will not stop on the way to the island. It typically carries items like the community’s Canada Post mail along with items on U.S. government’s banned import list, such as milk. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
