As noted in the federal excise duty tax change memo shared on March 30, 2023, the BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) is working as quickly as possible to adjust its systems and processes so that wholesale prices reflect the two per cent excise duty increase, as opposed to 6.3 per cent.
It is expected that this change will be completed and effective as of Friday, April 7, 2023, and that updated wholesale and hospitality price lists will be made available at that time.
Refunds for impacted customers
We recognize that, between April 1 and April 6, 2023, some wholesale and hospitality customers may have paid excess excise tax to the LDB for products that the LDB pays excise tax for (including all imported products, domestic spirits and/or domestic, spirit-based refreshment beverages). The amount of excess excise tax paid would be the difference between two per cent (current excise rate) and 6.3 per cent (previous excise rate).
To compensate any wholesale or hospitality customers for paying this excess excise tax, the LDB will be issuing refunds. Further details will be provided to those impacted customers in the coming weeks.
Further details will be provided to those impacted customers in the coming weeks.
More information about the recently proposed adjusted excise rates is available on the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) website.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.