Nova Scotia removes barriers to allow for direct-to-consumer purchase of out of province alcohol

The Government of Nova Scotia says it is taking further action to remove barriers on alcohol imports for consumers and open up new opportunities for local alcohol producers in the province.

The direct-to-consumer agreements signed by other provinces with Nova Scotia will allow residents to buy alcohol products from producers outside of the province.

The new regulations will also mean that local alcohol producers will be able to sell directly to consumers in the participating provinces. Nova Scotia currently has about 130 licensed alcoholic beverage producers.

“Breaking down interprovincial trade barriers means more choice for Nova Scotians who want to buy products from their favourite out-of-province producers, and it opens up new markets for our local industry,” said Finance and Treasury Board Minister John Lohr. “We already allow direct-to-consumer wine imports. It just makes sense to do the same for other Canadian alcohol products.”

The Importing Wine for Personal Use Regulations, which has been in place since 2015, will be replaced by the Importing Alcoholic Beverages for Personal Use Regulations.

“The new rules will allow Nova Scotians to buy Canadian alcohol products direct from producers as long as it is for personal use and there is a reciprocal agreement in place with the province where the product was produced,” a news release from the province reads.

The agreement will not permit the resale of imports or other commercial use.

The direct-to-consumer agreements with other provinces and territories are expected to be in place soon.

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