Canadian Beer Import Ban Set to Take Effect September 29

American brewers that produce beer in Canada should be aware of major trade changes taking effect September 29. Beginning at 12:01 a.m. ET, the U.S. will prohibit imports of many Canadian alcohol beverages, including packaged beer.

The administration announced the restrictions under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in response to Canadian provincial restrictions on American alcohol beverages. According to the administration, U.S. alcohol exports to Canada fell by roughly 81% during the period it examined, from $718 million to $137 million. U.S. Census Bureau figures indicate declines in beer exports to Canada are outpacing the broader alcohol market, down 85% since 2025 and 94% since 2024.

The September 29 restrictions cover Canadian beer shipped to the U.S. in bottles, cans, kegs, and other finished packages. This is particularly important for American breweries that use Canadian contract brewing partners. The restrictions are based on where the beer is produced, not where the brand is headquartered or who owns it. In other words, beer brewed and packaged in Canada can be subject to the ban even when the brand itself is American.

Bulk beer appears to receive different treatment. Based on the way the administration wrote the restrictions, Canadian beer shipped in bulk to be packaged in the U.S. appears to fall outside the new ban. It would still be subject to the existing 50% Section 338 tariff. Kegs, however, are specifically covered by the ban and do not qualify as bulk shipments. Any brewer considering changing how beer is shipped or packaged should work with its customs broker to confirm how its specific product would be treated.

The administration's new policy treats non-alcoholic (NA) beer differently from traditional beer, and the NA beer classification is not included in the September 29 import-ban list. Based on the published restrictions, there is not a blanket ban on Canadian NA beer, including NA beer produced in Canada under contract for an American brand. Importers should still confirm the classification of individual products and determine whether other tariffs or requirements apply.

With September 29 fast approaching, domestic breweries with Canadian production partners should review their existing commitments and the status of any shipments headed to the U.S. The rules include separate treatment for certain covered products shipped before September 29 but entered into the U.S. afterward, so breweries should not assume that simply placing an order or getting a shipment on the road before the deadline resolves the issue.

Brewers with any Canadian production should examine where their beer is being produced, how it is packaged, and when it will enter the United States. Those details could determine whether the beer can continue entering the U.S. after September 29.

The Brewers Association will continue to engage with government officials, monitor trade developments and advocate for the removal of barriers impacting independent craft brewers.