Canadian Container Deposit Fees: Province-by-Province Rates for Beverage Containers
Reference for Canadian provincial container deposit-return programs covering refundable deposits on bottles, cans, and other beverage containers across all provinces with active programs.
This is a regulated fee — required or governed by law in the jurisdictions below.
Overview
Most Canadian provinces operate deposit-return programs for beverage containers, requiring merchants to charge a refundable deposit at the point of sale. Deposits are refunded when consumers return containers to authorized depots or retail locations. Programs vary significantly by province: some cover all beverage containers while others apply only to alcoholic beverages. Deposits are generally considered non-taxable under GST/HST rules when separately stated. Online merchants selling beverages in Canada must charge the correct provincial deposit based on the customer's delivery address.
Fee schedule by jurisdiction
10 jurisdictions with active fee requirements.
| Jurisdiction | Fee |
|---|---|
| Alberta | 10¢ per container (≤1L); 25¢ per container (>1L) |
| British Columbia | Non-alcohol: 10¢ (≤1L), 20¢ (>1L); Alcohol: 10¢ (≤1L), 20¢ (>1L) |
| Saskatchewan | 10¢ per container (≤1L); 20¢ per container (>1L) |
| Ontario | 10¢ per container (≤630mL); 20¢ per container (>630mL) |
| Quebec | 10¢ per container (aluminum and plastic); 10¢ (glass <500mL); 25¢ (glass ≥500mL) |
| New Brunswick | 10¢ per container (most); 5¢ per container (≤500mL non-alcohol) |
| Nova Scotia | 10¢ per container |
| Prince Edward Island | 10¢ per container |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 8¢ per container |
| Manitoba | 10¢ per container (≤1L); 20¢ per container (>1L) |
Alberta
10¢ per container (≤1L); 25¢ per container (>1L)
All ready-to-drink beverage containers including juice, water, milk, and alcohol
Administered by ABCRC. 85% average return rate. Over 220 depot locations across the province.
British Columbia
Non-alcohol: 10¢ (≤1L), 20¢ (>1L); Alcohol: 10¢ (≤1L), 20¢ (>1L)
All ready-to-drink beverage containers including non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages
Administered by Return-It (Encorp Pacific). 83% average return rate.
Saskatchewan
10¢ per container (≤1L); 20¢ per container (>1L)
All beverage containers except dairy
Administered by SARCAN. 84% average return rate.
Ontario
10¢ per container (≤630mL); 20¢ per container (>630mL)
Alcoholic beverage containers only (beer, wine, spirits sold through LCBO and The Beer Store)
Ontario's program covers only alcoholic beverages. Non-alcoholic containers are managed through the Blue Box curbside recycling program, not a deposit system.
Quebec
10¢ per container (aluminum and plastic); 10¢ (glass <500mL); 25¢ (glass ≥500mL)
Most beverage containers including water, juice, soft drinks, and beer
Expanded coverage as of March 2025 to include more plastic beverage containers. Administered by Consignaction.
Effective Mar 1, 2025
New Brunswick
10¢ per container (most); 5¢ per container (≤500mL non-alcohol)
Most beverage containers
Program administered through Encorp Atlantic.
Nova Scotia
10¢ per container
Most beverage containers
One of the highest return rates in the country.
Prince Edward Island
10¢ per container
Most beverage containers
Newfoundland and Labrador
8¢ per container
Most beverage containers
Manitoba
10¢ per container (≤1L); 20¢ per container (>1L)
Most beverage containers
Administered by the Canadian Beverage Container Recycling Association.
Enforcement
Provincial regulations require merchants to collect and remit container deposits. Failure to do so can result in fines and enforcement actions from provincial environmental agencies. Deposits are generally non-taxable under GST/HST when separately stated on invoices.
Official sources
Related guides
Step-by-step guides for charging canadian provincial container deposit programs on Shopify.
Shopify compliance
This is a mandatory fee — merchants selling in covered jurisdictions are legally required to collect it. Shopify requires that mandatory fees be clearly disclosed to customers before checkout. Use a Shopify app like Magical Fees to automate collection and ensure compliance.
This information is maintained by the Magical Apps team and reviewed annually. Always consult official government sources for the most current requirements.
Quick facts
- Regulation
- Provincial Beverage Container Deposit-Return Programs
- Country
- Canada
- Jurisdictions
- 10
- Category
- Container Deposits
Explore Canadian Provincial Container Deposit Programs in practice
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Related use cases
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Other regulations in this category.
Australian Container Deposit Schemes
Reference for Australia's container deposit schemes (CDS) operating in all states and territories with a uniform 10-cent refund per eligible beverage container.
View fee schedule →GermanyGerman Pfand (Deposit-Return System)
A reference for Germany's Pfandpflicht deposit-return system. Covers Einweg (single-use) and Mehrweg (reusable) container deposit amounts and the beverages they apply to.
View fee schedule →European UnionEU Deposit Return Schemes (DRS) Rollout
Reference for deposit return schemes (DRS) across the European Union. Multiple member states have launched or are launching DRS under the Single Use Plastics Directive; rates and scope vary by country.
View fee schedule →HungaryHungary Deposit Return Scheme (MOHU)
Reference for Hungary's national deposit return scheme operated by MOHU, requiring a refundable 50 HUF deposit on single-use glass, plastic, and aluminum beverage containers.
View fee schedule →IrelandIreland Deposit Return Scheme (Re-Turn)
Reference for Ireland's national deposit return scheme (Re-Turn), requiring refundable deposits of 15–25 cents on PET plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and steel cans sold in Ireland.
View fee schedule →NetherlandsNetherlands Statiegeld (Deposit-Return System)
Reference for the Netherlands' Statiegeld deposit-return system requiring refundable deposits of €0.15–€0.25 on plastic bottles and aluminum cans.
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