Wine & Spirits Import — Pay Canadian Suppliers Faster, Cheaper
Wine margins are thin enough without losing 2-4% to your bank.. And your bank makes it worse — 3-day settlements, 2-4% hidden FX spreads, and zero visibility into what your payments actually cost.
We built payment infrastructure for wine & spirits import businesses. 0.5% spreads. Same-day CAD settlement. Free container tracking.
Get a Quote for Your Next Canadian PaymentWine & Spirits Import margins are too thin to donate 2-4% to your bank on every supplier payment.
Before we show you a single number, know this: we are regulated, audited, and transparent. Our pricing is published. Our client funds are segregated. These aren't marketing claims — they're regulatory requirements we meet daily.
These aren't marketing claims — they're regulatory requirements we meet daily.
Save £2,025 per £100k Payment
Typical savings for Wine & Spirits Import paying Canada suppliers
- ❌ 2-3 day settlement
- ❌ Hidden FX margins
- ❌ High correspondent bank fees
- ❌ Manual compliance checks
- ✓ Settles in seconds — 2.3 second average
- ✓ Transparent pricing
- ✓ Interac e-Transfer for Business available
- ✓ 0.14s automated compliance
At £200k-£2M monthly volume, save £24,300/year
What Challenges Do Wine & Spirits Import Businesses Face Paying Canada?
Industry Pain Points
- Duty and excise payments (large upfront costs)
- Bonded warehouse management
- Seasonal harvest allocation payments
- En primeur futures (pay 2 years ahead)
Country-Specific Considerations
- Bank of Canada and FINTRAC oversight
- GST/HST (5-15% depending on province) documentation
- Business Number (BN) required for tax purposes
- PIPEDA compliance for data privacy
How Do Wine & Spirits Import Businesses Typically Pay Canadian Suppliers?
Fast Settlement: Settles in seconds — 2.3 second average
Use Interac e-Transfer for Business for instant CAD settlement. Instant business payments up to CAD $25,000, email-based
Real-Time FX Exposure Tracking
Upload supplier invoices as PDFs. Our AI OCR extracts amounts and currencies. See exactly what waiting costs you in real-time. Lock rates for 15 seconds when you see a good rate.
0.14s Compliance Screening
Automated compliance checks for Canada regulations. Bank of Canada and FINTRAC oversight handled automatically.
How Wine & Spirits Import Businesses Typically Pay Canadian Suppliers
If you're importing in this sector, you're likely dealing with a mix of payment terms. Here's how they work — and why speed matters.
⏱ Payment Timing
Harvest allocations: 50% deposit, 50% on release (12-24 months). Regular shipments: Net 30-60. Duty on release from bond.
📄 Invoice Terms
Net 30-60 (established suppliers), 50% deposit for allocations, en primeur: 100% upfront 2 years before delivery.
Seasonal harvest payments (Sep-Nov). Christmas sales peak. En primeur cash-intensive. Duty payments create cash flow gaps.
📊 FX Risk Profile
HIGH: EUR dominates (70%). En primeur creates 2-year FX exposure. AUD/NZD for New World. Forward contracts essential for futures.
Long-term estate relationships essential for allocations. Négociants for volume. Direct relationships for fine wine. Loyalty rewarded with allocations.
Common Documentation for Wine & Spirits Import
- VI-1 Form (wine)
- Commercial Invoice
- AAD (Administrative Accompanying Document)
- Excise Movement Guarantee
- Certificate of Origin
Popular Canada Supplier Types for Wine & Spirits Import
Common Canada Suppliers
- Resource extraction equipment (Calgary, Edmonton)
- Auto parts manufacturers (Toronto, Windsor)
- Agricultural suppliers (Winnipeg, Regina)
- Aerospace components (Montreal, Winnipeg)
Payment Tips for Canada
- Canada = Natural resources leader, manufacturing hub (auto, aerospace)
- Interac e-Transfer fastest for payments under CAD $25k
- Strong US trade ties - many suppliers serve both markets
- Provincial tax variations - HST rates differ by region
Frequently Asked Questions: Wine & Spirits Import Payments to Canada
How do Wine & Spirits Import businesses pay suppliers in Canada?
Wine & Spirits Import businesses can pay Canada suppliers instantly using Unicorn Currencies. We offer a 0.5% FX spread with 2.3-second average settlement using local payment rails like Interac e-Transfer for Business. This is significantly faster and cheaper than traditional SWIFT transfers which take 2-3 days.
What banking details do I need for Canada Wine & Spirits Import suppliers?
To pay Wine & Spirits Import suppliers in Canada, you need the recipient's Institution + Transit (9-digit transit number and 3-digit institution number), account number, and beneficiary name. Our platform validates these details automatically to ensure successful payment delivery.
How much can Wine & Spirits Import businesses save on Canada payments?
Wine & Spirits Import businesses typically save 80% compared to traditional banks when paying Canada suppliers. On a £100k transaction, that's £2,025 in savings. With Unicorn Currencies, you pay just 0.5% FX spread + £5 per payment vs banks charging 2.5% spread + £30 fees.
Is container tracking available for Wine & Spirits Import shipments from Canada?
Yes, Unicorn Currencies offers FREE container tracking for Wine & Spirits Import shipments from Canada. You receive real-time visibility into your cargo, including demurrage alerts to help avoid costly port storage fees. This feature is included at no extra cost with your payment account.
What currencies do Wine & Spirits Import businesses typically use with Canada?
Wine & Spirits Import businesses typically convert GBP to CAD when paying Canada suppliers. Unicorn Currencies provides live exchange rates with a transparent 0.5% spread, and you can lock rates for 15 seconds when you see a favorable rate. Our AI-powered invoice OCR can automatically extract amounts and currencies from supplier invoices.
Ready to Pay Canada Suppliers 80% Cheaper?
Join Wine & Spirits Import businesses saving £2,025 per £100k payment with t+0 (2.3s avg within unicorn network).
Bank of Canada registered PSP | FINTRAC licensed MSB