Morning folks,

No that I'm close to moving to Toronto I'm getting all nostalgic about England (Sad I know.), so in line with my new patriotic fervour I've decided to send a hamper of English goodies to my friend in Ontario for her birthday.

I've looked at a couple of web sites for UK hampers John Lewis, F & M et al whom will happily sell me a hamper but won't deliver it abroad!!! Question is can anyone tell me the name of a company that will deliver a hamper to Canada or is it a customs no no due to the alcohol?

Alternatively I can have the hamper delivered to myself as I'm still in the UK and forward it on to her? Therefore I can fill out a customs declaration that it's an unsolicited gift and include it with the parcel or is this still not allowed?

Also as a secondary point I know wine sales in Ontario are controlled by the LCBO but what happens if I want to buy a really expensive bottle of rare wine, will the government buy it for me then invoice me!?!? Not that I do buy expensive wine you understand, I just want to know that I can in case I turn into a raconteur in my old age.

TTFN

Mark

I don't know about a single bottle of wine as a collector's item but I know people who like to drink wines not listed by the LCBO on a fairly regular basis. The common strategy is to buy the wine in the US and then to import it in the bloodstream, this avoids both the taxation and the LCBO mark up.

LCBO will order by the case for you

http://www.lcbo.com/programs_service...ordering.shtml

Otherwise you will have to tell your stories without the aid of fine wine.