The federal government is passing legislation that includes an HST exemption for eligible alcoholic beverages between December 14, 2024 and February 15, 2025.
Eligible products: Products eligible for the HST exemption include:
. Beer and cider
. Wine (including fortified wine or sake) up to 22.9% ABV
. Spirit-based RTDs (7% or less ABV) and malt or wine-based RTDs (no ABV limit)
. Any non-alcoholic/de-alcoholized beverages
Pricing calculators: These will be updated. The current requote process will remain in place.
Limited Time Offers: On December 14th, retail prices will be adjusted, and promotional products will take into account the new retail price minus your LTO discount.
Promotional Periods: Promotion periods remain unchanged.
Online pricing: Eligible products on lcbo.com and the LCBO app will have HST removed from the retail price starting December 14. A maintenance window will be in place for a short period of time while pricing updates are made.
In-store pricing: Bin tags (i.e. shelf prices) will continue to show all-in pricing, including HST. However, customers will receive the HST-free price on eligible products at the cash register. In-store signage will help educate customers about product eligibility and the removal of HST at cash.
Minimum retail pricing: The Government of Ontario intends to implement temporary regulatory amendments to ensure that minimum pricing rules don’t impede passing through the HST relief to consumers for certain beverage alcohol products. During the HST holiday, licensed convenience and grocery stores must remove the 13% HST from the retail price of eligible products; this includes products that are priced at or just above the minimum retail price.
Please direct any questions to your LCBO Merchandising representative.