Nova Scotia Regulation 125/2025 introduces a new set of rules governing the importation of alcoholic beverages for personal use, replacing earlier regulations made in 2015. This change follows the formal recommendation by the Minister responsible for the Liquor Control Act and is enacted under Section 50 of the Liquor Control Act, Chapter 260 of the Revised Statutes of Nova Scotia, 1989. The primary action taken through Order in Council 2025-189 is twofold: first, it repeals the existing Importing Wine for Personal Use Regulations (N.S. Reg. 267/2015); second, it introduces a broader framework for importing a range of alcoholic beverages—not just wine—when intended for personal use.

The newly implemented Importing Alcoholic Beverages for Personal Use Regulations modernize and simplify the previous rules. A key feature of these new regulations is the expansion of allowable imports beyond wine to include any alcoholic beverage with more than 0.5% alcohol by volume. This includes spirits, beer, and other liquors, provided they are intended strictly for personal consumption and not for resale or commercial use.

The regulatory framework relies heavily on the concept of “reciprocating jurisdictions,” which are other Canadian provinces or territories that have entered into formal “direct to consumer agreements” with Nova Scotia. These agreements are mutual in nature, allowing individuals to import alcoholic beverages across jurisdictions so long as certain criteria are met. For instance, Nova Scotians can import alcohol from manufacturers based in participating provinces, and residents of those provinces can do the same in return from Nova Scotian manufacturers.

For an individual to legally import alcohol into Nova Scotia under the new rules, three primary conditions must be satisfied. First, the alcoholic beverage must be produced by a manufacturer whose facility is physically located in a reciprocating jurisdiction. Second, the manufacturer must be properly licensed or otherwise legally authorized to produce and sell alcoholic beverages under the laws of their home jurisdiction. Third, the beverage must be purchased directly from the manufacturer, meaning no intermediary sellers or resellers are involved in the transaction.

This regulatory change reflects a shift toward harmonization and consumer convenience within interprovincial alcohol commerce, aligning with growing national trends aimed at reducing trade barriers between provinces. The inclusion of “direct to consumer” language signals an intention to encourage lawful online purchases and direct shipments, something increasingly common in the e-commerce age.

In summary, N.S. Reg. 125/2025 replaces outdated wine-specific import rules with a more flexible and modern framework that facilitates personal imports of all types of alcoholic beverages from provinces and territories that have signed mutual agreements with Nova Scotia.

Nova Scotia (125/2025) July 7, 2025
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