Application requirements
For an exemption for a specific non-beverage alcohol product, you need
- An application letter
- Two samples of the product
- Sample labels
- Front and back sample labels for each container size
- An independent lab report
Before you start
Non-beverage alcohol is a substance that has liquor combined with other ingredients. The other ingredients make the liquid not suitable to drink as a beverage. Non-beverage alcohol is considered to be 'denatured'.
You don't need a licence or permit to sell, supply, buy or use non-beverage alcohol, but you need to apply for an exemption.
Products denatured using salt must contain a minimum of 1.5% salt per 100g to be eligible for exemption.
Overview
There is no fee for this exemption.
A non-beverage alcohol exemption is for people who sell, supply, purchase or use non-beverage alcohol products such as:
Medicinal products
- Cough medicines
- Stomach bitters
- Ethnic medicines
- Herbal liqueurs and remedies
- Digestive aids
- Tinctures and tonics
Toiletry products
- Mouthwash
- Hand cleansers
Culinary products
- Cooking wines
- Cooking sherries
- Vanilla extract
- Gelled and peppered baking extracts
Most non-drinkable (non-potable) medicinal products, un-salted culinary products and toiletries are automatically exempt. If you are not sure if your product needs an exemption, submit the required documents to the LCRB and someone will contact you.
If you are a manufacturer or importer, you are still responsible to make sure you have all other approvals, permissions, licences or similar requirements by other authorities.
Review the Miscellaneous Policy Manual (PDF, 302KB) for more information on Non-beverage Alcohol Exemptions.
Apply
To apply
If you do not need to send samples
- Email the required documents to the LCRB
If you do need to send samples
- Mail the required documents and samples to
- PO Box 9292, Stn Prov Govt, Victoria B.C. V8W 9J8
Cooking alcohol
The sale or distribution of rice and cooking alcohol is specifically prohibited due to a history of illegal sale and consumption. This includes cooking wine made from rice alcohol and with an alcohol content of 10% or greater.
Only B.C. government liquor stores can sell rice alcohol.
The exception to this rule is for large-volume commercial sales in containers of 10 L or more
- If they are pre-sold to manufacturers or other commercial users before being imported to B.C.
Importing or distributing cooking alcohol in B.C.
Before importing or distributing cooking alcohol, you must apply to the LCRB.
To apply
Complete the application forms
- Record of Cooking Alcohol Shipment - LCRB046 (PDF, 642KB)
- Record of Distributor's Sales of Cooking Alcohol - LCRB047 (PDF, 663KB)
Send the forms to LCRB by
- Mail: PO Box 9292, Stn Prov Govt, Victoria B.C. V8W 9J8
- Fax: 250-952-7066
The LCRB will contact you to follow up.
Contact information
Contact the client support team.