EDM3-2-3 Labelling of containers of spirits
Excise Duty Memorandum
May 2008
This memorandum explains the requirements relating to information that must be displayed on containers of spirits and on any packaging encasing those containers that are packaged by a spirits licensee in accordance with the Excise Act, 2001.
Except as otherwise noted, all statutory references in this memorandum are to the provisions of the Excise Act, 2001. The information in this memorandum does not replace the law found in the Act and its regulations. If this information does not completely address your situation, refer to the Act or regulations or contact your regional excise office for additional information. The offices are listed at Contact information – Excise and Specialty Tax Directorate.
On this page
Labelling requirements
Information displayed on container (s 87)
1. All spirits licensees who package spirits are required to ensure that specific information is displayed on the spirits container (for example, bottles) and on any packaging encasing that container, immediately after the spirits are packaged.
2. These requirements apply to all spirits that are packaged by a spirits licensee, regardless of the spirits' intended destination (for example, domestic consumption, export, duty free shops).
Meaning of packaged (s 2)
3. To package spirits means to place them into a container with a capacity of not more than 100 litres that is ordinarily sold to consumers without being repackaged into smaller containers. Packaging spirits also includes placing them into a marked special container.
Meaning of mark and special container (s 2)
4. A marked special container, in respect of spirits, is a container with a capacity of more than 100 litres but not more than 1,500 litres marked in a prescribed form and manner to indicate that it is intended for delivery to and use by a registered user, or for use at a bottle-your-own premises.
5. Additional information relating to the obligations and entitlements of spirits licensees is available in Memorandum EDM3-1-1, Producers and packagers of spirits, and Memorandum EDM8-1-1, Excise warehouses.
Information to be displayed
Regulations Respecting the Information to be Displayed on Alcohol Containers and their Packaging (s 1)
6. The Regulations require the following information to be displayed on a container of spirits:
- the name and address of the spirits licensee who packaged it; or
- the licence number of the spirits licensee who packaged it.
Legal name
7. The name of the spirits licensee who packaged the spirits must be the legal name of the business entity to which the spirits licence has been granted.
Trading name
8. If a spirits licensee wishes to display the trading name or operating name of its business, the legal name and address or the licence number must also be displayed.
Address
9. The address need not include the licensee's full physical or mailing address. It is sufficient that the address indicate the city and province in which the spirits licensee is located.
Licence number
10. The licence number that may be displayed on a container of spirits in lieu of the name and address of the licensee who packaged them refers to the number of the licence issued to the spirits licensee under the Act.
Location and visibility of information
11. The placement of information to be displayed on a container of spirits is not restricted to the paper label. It may appear anywhere on the container and may be printed directly on the container. There is no specific font size or style for the name and address or for the licence number, as long as the information is visible and legible.
Pre-approval not required
12. Spirits licensees are not required to obtain CRA pre-approval of labels they intend to use on containers of spirits or on any packaging encasing those containers.
Contract packaging
Spirits producer not packager
13. In certain situations, the spirits licensee who produces spirits is not the one who packages the spirits. For example, a spirits licensee may contract out the bottling to another spirits licensee. In such a case, the licensee who owns the spirits remains liable for the excise duty on those spirits.
Administrative alternative to prescribed information
14. Spirits licensees who produce spirits and contract out the packaging of the spirits may wish to display their names and addresses or their licence numbers on the packaging, and not those of the spirits licensee who packaged the spirits. This is permitted, provided that the spirits licensee who produces the spirits stipulates in writing that it can readily identify the spirits licensee who packaged the spirits.
Other statutes
15. Spirits licensees are encouraged to verify any other restrictions or requirements that may be in effect with all applicable federal and provincial departments and agencies. While the Act does not impose specific requirements about other information that may be displayed on spirits labels or containers of spirits, or require pre-approval of labels prior to use by a spirits licensee, all spirits labels must also be in accordance with other federal statutes, such as the Food and Drugs Act and the Safe Food for Canadians Act. Information on the labelling and packaging of spirits is available on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website by going to Food labelling for industry.
Offences and penalties
Failure to comply
16. If a person fails to comply with the conditions or requirements of their licence, they may be guilty of an offence or subject to a penalty under the Act.
17. Additional information on offences and penalties is available in Memorandum EDM1-6-1, Administrative penalties under the Excise Act, 2001.
Further information
For all technical publications related to excise duties, go to Excise duties technical information.
For information on how to make a general or technical enquiry on excise duties, go to Contact information – Excise and Specialty Tax Directorate.
For information on how to request a ruling or interpretation related to excise duties, go to Requesting an excise and specialty tax ruling or interpretation.