Off-Site Storage Tip Sheet

Please see the below bulletin about off-site storage in response to the questions we have received from Alberta manufacturers since the Liquor Manufacturer Handbook section 6.1 was amended in October 2020. The tip sheet is meant to be a reference tool that addresses common questions specific to the storage of liquor product in Alberta.

Liquor Manufacturer Handbook

Questions and answers on the storage of liquor produced by Alberta manufacturers (Section 6.1)

ARE ALBERTA MANUFACTURERS PERMITTED TO STORE LIQUOR AT EITHER A LICENSED MANUFACTURING FACILITY OR A SECONDARY LOCATION?

Yes, Alberta manufacturers are permitted to store liquor on-site (at the licensed manufacturing facility) or at an off-site facility approved by AGLC.

HOW DO ALBERTA MANUFACTURERS APPLY FOR OFF-SITE STORAGE?

Alberta manufacturers may submit a written request for an extension of their manufacturing licence to include off-site storage to the AGLC Inspector assigned to their licence. The off-site storage facility does not have to be physically connected to the manufacturing facility. The facility requirements of the off-site location will be similar to the facility requirements of the manufacturing facility. The facility must comply with AGLC policy and municipal, provincial and federal requirements, including the Canada Revenue Agency’s excise requirements if the product stored off-site is non-duty-paid.

WHAT PRODUCTS ARE ALBERTA MANUFACTURERS PERMITTED TO STORE?

Alberta manufacturers are permitted to store liquor products that are manufactured in their licensed manufacturing facility. This includes:

Packaged liquor product manufactured and owned by the licensee;

Packaged liquor product manufactured by the licensee as a result of a collaboration or contract arrangement, but owned by the participating manufacturers (collaboration) or contractee (contract arrangement); and

Bulk liquor product for the purposes of aging (includes aging of bulk liquor product of other licensed manufacturers or registered liquor agencies where a contractor-contractee relationship exists).

CAN ALBERTA MANUFACTURERS STORE LIQUOR MANUFACTURED BY OTHER LICENSEES?

Under the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Regulations, Class E licensees can only possess and store the liquor they manufacture in the licensed premises.

WHAT IS AGING?

Aging is the process of storing distilled spirits (or wines) in barrels for a specific period of time.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OFF-SITE STORAGE AND WAREHOUSING?

Off-site storage is an extension of the manufacturing facility, alleviating capacity issues encountered by Alberta manufacturers as volumes increase and product lines diversify. Policies specific to a manufacturer’s off-site storage facility can be found in the Liquor Manufacturing Handbook.

Warehousing refers to the ability to warehouse and distribute liquor products on behalf of AGLC, on a consignment basis. The central warehouse, operated under contract by Connect Logistics, warehouses and distributes spirits, wine, coolers and beer in Alberta. Additionally, there are four more warehouses operating in Alberta for the warehousing and distribution of domestic beer. Policies specific to authorized warehouses can be found in the Liquor Warehouse Handbook.

For more information contact liquorservices@aglc.ca

Visit our website www.Albertamadeliquor.ca