How to buy beer, wine and spirits in Iqaluit

The very helpful chap at the Nunavut Liquor Commission kindly explained the process to me. 

You can order your favourite tipple from Rankin Inlet, Montreal or Ottawa. Rankin Inlet has a limited selection and cargo rates are high. The store in Montreal has a crappy selection too but is a good option if you are combining it with a food mail shipment. The best option is the LCBO store at 1980 Bank Street in Ottawa because of the selection and favourable cargo rates from Ottawa.

Step 1

Visit the LCBO web site to decide what you want to buy and check stock in the store.

Step 2 

Go to the Nunavut Liquor Commission to buy your permit. You have to specify the quantity and volume of beer, wine, spirits and cider that you wish to import so that the relevant charges can be calculated: 

Spirits are $3.75 per litre plus a $0.29 per bottle deposit

Wine is $2.00 per litre plus a $0.29 per bottle deposit

Beer is $0.56 per litre with a $0.14 per can/bottle deposit

Cider is $0.59 and $0.14

GST is charged at 5% on the per litre fee, but not on the bottle deposit.

Step 3

Send a fax to the LCBO store specifying your order and if they should ship it by Canadian North or First Air. Be sure to include your credit card details so they can charge you and your contact number for when your cargo arrives.

Step 4

Wait for the call

For a permit fee of $41.36 I ordered:

1 x 3l bottle Jack Daniels            $131.95

1 x 4l bag in box French Cross Shiraz            $41.95

1 x 4l bag in box French Cross Cabernet Merlot            $39.95

1 x 4l bag in box French Cross Pinot Grigio            $39.95

8 x 44ml cans Guinness Draught            $20.95 (for St Patricks!)

I also found this GN information today from which I am delighted to learn that Nancy can indeed bring us a bottle of Jack when she visits in June!

http://www.orientation.hr.gov.nu.ca/i18n/english/pdf/Buying%20Alcohol_eng.pdf