Canada evaluates five new duty-free sites

Gavin Lipsith

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Three border crossings and two airports are being considered as locations for new duty-free stores

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is studying three border crossing and two airports with a view to launching duty-free tenders.  Border shops programme director Doug Waldie told delegates at the Frontier Duty Free Association's 21^st annual convention that the agency was considering the sites after receiving enquiries from companies interested in operating outlets at locations throughout Canada.

The biggest site is at Pigeon River Crossing in Ontario, where Waldie said the CBSA was in discussions with Parks Canada over converting the land for commercial use. The negotiations should be completed in a year.

The other four sites are at Paterson Bridge in British Columbia, Woburn in Quebec and at Abbotsford and Moncton airports.

"At some of the new sites the land is privately owned, which means there should be no problems acquiring it for duty-free outlets," said Waldie.  "Where the sites are on parkland, such as at Pigeon River, it can be more complicated."

Tenders will be announced when the CBSA has decided whether each of the sites are commercially viable and likely to generate enough interest from the private sector.