Shipping tobacco is a topic that often confuses retailers. As a result, many retailers want to know, “Can you ship tobacco in the mail?”
Shipping is always a tedious task for retailers, especially when they are dealing with certain goods that need extra consideration. When you are shipping, you need to adhere to several rules and regulations that help shipping to be done in an orderly manner.
In this article, you will explore the possibilities and legalities of shipping tobacco in the mail giving you a comprehensive understanding of regulations.
Guidelines for Shipping Tobacco to European Countries
Most of the European countries allow shipping tobacco, all you need to do is submit the paperwork and pack the item. However, when you are shipping, you need to consider the formalities that are specified for each country. Above all, you need to look into the rules and regulations that are mentioned by the shipping carriers. Hence to ship tobacco, you need to get in-depth research done.
To get a better understanding, it’s ideal to visit the customs website of the country you want to ship to. With that, you will know whether tobacco is a restricted, or a prohibited item. Most often you will find tobacco in the restricted items and also with a certain weight limit. For example, in Europe, you can only ship up to 800 cigarettes or a maximum of 1kg of smoking tobacco.
Regarding the license to ship tobacco, yes, you need to have one valid license when you are shipping tobacco regularly. You can also work around the details on whether you need to pay duties and taxes for shipping. For example, some countries like the US have GST, and others like Europe have VAT. Hence, to get a better picture, you could visit the government site. Not all shipping carriers accept tobacco for shipping, so you need to research exclusively to find the right one that suits you.
Legal Considerations to Ship Tobacco in the Mail
- Federal Laws in the U.S.
The Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) Act is a federal law that regulates the sale, distribution, and mailing of tobacco products. It follows strict guidelines regarding tax collection, licensing, and reporting requirements.
Mailing cigarettes and other tobacco products is generally prohibited, except for transportation between two businesses or authorized entities.
- State Specific Regulations
Shipping tobacco involves different restrictions and requirements in each state, including taxation and licensing. Some states may allow shipment to direct customers under certain conditions, while others may prohibit it. So you should completely abide by the rules of both states.
- International Laws
While you Ship tobacco in the mail internationally, you must comply with the customs regulations of the destination country. You must prepare accurate documentation like commercial invoices and customs declarations.
How to Legally Ship Tobacco in the Mail?
There are several things to consider while you ship tobacco in the mail, you have to comply with federal, state, and carrier-specific regulations.
Verify the Recipient’s Location and Age Restrictions
Before you ship tobacco in the mail you will have to ensure the recipient’s state or country allows Tobacco shipments. Make sure the recipients are of a legal age to purchase tobacco products depending on the jurisdiction for this you need to make use of age verification services.
Obtain Necessary Licenses and Permits
You need to secure business licenses to ship tobacco in the mail including any state or federal permits. You can familiarize yourself with other requirements under the PACT Act for tax compliance.
Follow Packaging and Labeling Requirements
You should have proper packages for shipping tobacco. Here is some packing material that you would require to pack tobacco securely.
- Cardboard box
- Bubble wrap
- Packing peanuts or cushioning
- Adhesive tape and scissors
Here are some steps to follow while you pack tobacco:
- Set up the cardboard box.
- Fill the bottom with cushioning or packing peanuts.
- Wrap the products with bubble wrap for extra protection.
- Use cardboard dividers, if you are sending over one item at a time.
- Always fill in the extra space with more insulation and cushioning to keep your products safe and steady.
- Seal your box and label it.
Choose a Carrier That Supports Tobacco Shipments
You need to select shipping carriers that allow the mailing of tobacco and review their specific shipping guidelines on their websites to ensure compliance with their requirements.
Which Carriers Allow You to Ship Tobacco in the Mail?
Can You Ship Tobacco with USPS?
USPS allows shipping tobacco but with certain restrictions. You can send tobacco in a limited capacity anywhere. Also, you need to make sure that you have a legal license to ship it. Remember that your packages need to comply with the Postal Services regulations and the US laws. You can deliver cigars domestically. For shipping tobacco, you need to follow certain conditions like:
- An adult signature is required. To comply with the adult signature requirement, you can use the ELEX EasyPost (FedEx, UPS, Canada Post & USPS) Shipping & Label Printing Plugin for WooCommerce.
- You can mail cigarettes and smokeless tobacco with certain restrictions:
- If you are present in person, can ship all allowed cigarettes and smokeless tobacco at the local post office.
- You need to ensure that the exception/allowed shipments of tobacco need specific markings on them.
- All the shipments with tobacco need to have a return receipt.
Can You Ship Tobacco with FedEx?
FedEx accepts tobacco shipments only if they send it from a licensed distributor to another. So if you are planning to send tobacco shipments to non-licensed private individuals, then FedEx is a big no.
Can You Ship Tobacco with UPS?
UPS can send tobacco by mail if you have the license to do it. The package also should comply with federal and local laws. You can find these laws on the government’s website. However, remember that UPS does not ship cigarettes at all.
How to integrate the shipping carriers on your WooCommerce store?
To incorporate the above-mentioned shipping services into your WooCommerce store, you can always make use of the ELEX EasyPost WooCommerce Shipping Plugin.
This plugin not only eases order processing but also helps you with various options like:
- Proper packaging algorithms to ensure safe and secure packing.
- Tracking information for the shipment.
- Individual product classification to help the customers get special services concerning the guidelines for shipping.
- Proper label generation.
The Last Shot
As we have discussed in the above article, it is not easy to ship tobacco in the mail. To make it happen, you need to work around various rules and regulations that are mentioned under Federal and state laws. Once you get your license done, you can easily ship tobacco with popular shipping options. With a clear understanding of shipping duties and taxes, you can simplify the process of shipping tobacco.
FAQs
- Are cigars treated differently when you ship tobacco in the mail?
Yes, cigars often have more lenient regulations compared to cigarettes and other tobacco products. Some carriers may allow shipping cigars in the mail under certain conditions. - Can you ship tobacco in the mail internationally?
Shipping tobacco in the mail internationally is highly regulated and often prohibited. Some countries allow limited quantities with proper documentation, but both the originating and destination country’s laws must be followed. - Can you ship tobacco in the mail for personal consumption?
No, shipping tobacco in the mail for personal use is generally not allowed, except for specific cases like cigars, where regulations may differ based on the carrier and destination. - Is age verification required every time you ship tobacco in the mail?
Yes, age verification is a legal requirement every time you ship tobacco in the mail to ensure that the recipient is of legal age, typically 21 or older in the United States. - Are duty-free tobacco products allowed to be shipped in the mail?
Duty-free tobacco products are typically not permitted to be shipped in the mail due to strict customs and excise regulations for domestic and international shipments.
