Post office Contraband

dervis · Apr 18, 2012

I am going to have to plead ignorance on this one. Just had to send this message to a member here I had made a deal with. I had no idea the issues this would cause. This is probably common knowledge to everyone else. Anyway the messge.
I went to the post office today on lunch ready to ship out your tobacco. Well the lady at the counter didn’t like my box and said how about I give you a new pretty box free of charge. Without thinking I said sure. She opens and finds the tobacco and you would have thought it was a bomb. Started screaming at me that I can’t mail contraband. I explained that it was pipe tobacco and she said yes, contraband. Long story short and me almost being escorted off premises I did not mail your tobacco today. I apologize, I am a man of my word and hate that this happened. I WILL be mailing tomorrow. You should receive your contraband ASAP. Either I am going crazy or the world is, I can’t decide.
BTW to the member this message went to, if you read this I will be adding a little something extra to the package.

2 reasons, 1. everyone likes suprises, and 2. My ignorance to the rules has cost you a day.

cortezattic · Apr 18, 2012

It might have gone better for you if you had ripped your picture off the back wall before you walked up to the service counter. :lol:

jcsoldit · Apr 18, 2012

dervis... Don't feel bad, I'm a lot older than you and I regularly mail tobacco to friends and I had no idea that it was considered contraband.
Thanks for the warning... : puffy

:

wonky · Apr 18, 2012

This is unfortunate that she reacted as such...
I'm pretty sure you can mail cigars and pipe tobacco, just not cigarettes and "smokeless tobacco".
https://www.usps.com/ship/domestic-tobacco-restrictions.htm
There is the regulation straight from the USPS site (actually it mentions nothing about pipe tobacco).

spartan · Apr 18, 2012

Thanks for that link Wonky. I read the whole thing and you're right it doens't mention pipe tobacco once.
So if your postal employee was reasonable they might let it go through if it's under 10oz. but it must be in a priority box or express mail, with an adult signature required lol
Cooky rules.
I say print it out and keep it in the car at all times lol

eaglerico · Apr 18, 2012

By USPS rules it does not specifically mention pipe tobacco but I think it falls under the "understood" category to everyone in a CYA mode at work in the post office.
However, taxes what they are, just like buying beer in one state and taking it to another it could be considered bootlegging. This is partly because of the different taxes from state to state on tobacco. Online retailers are in a big debate with Amazon and others over this issue as well and have begun charging sales tax depending the address of delivery.
With beer there is also the amount of alcohol that is legal in beer differs from state to state.

topd · Apr 18, 2012

My wife was Post Master here (Emerson, Arkansas) for 14 years before switching to the Sheriffs Office. She

says that she wouldn't have thought a thing about it. Just sayin'......

zanthal · Apr 18, 2012

It's pretty darned amazing these people who think they're saving the world by intercepting us swapping tobacco via mail, especially since people mail all sorts of dangerous drugs via the postal system, just ask the DEA.
Printing a shipping label online, or using stamps means you can avoid the post office counter.
Not that I would condone such illegal activity. :nana:
Oh by the way Dervis that model airplane I've been meaning to send you will be in the mail today. :nana:

papipeguy · Apr 18, 2012

I've never been asked about what the contents of a package is. I HAVE been asked if the contents are dangerous or flammable. The quick and easy answer is, "No."

portascat · Apr 18, 2012

Used to ship quite a few long guns (rifles, shotguns).
UPS will do this, by policy, but I never met a UPS counter person who wanted to do it.
So...I just printed out the label at work, stuck it to the box, and dropped it off. Walked in, said "this is prepaid, where do you want it?" and walked out.

nsfisher · Apr 18, 2012

LOL, ya sorry mate, some are like that. I just love the Postal Workers at my Post Office. I take baccy in, place it on the counter, get a bubble envelope and put it in. I hand the address to the lady behind the counter and she fills everything out, including the customs slip. When it comes to the "contents" part, she looks at me and I say "Ahh, Hobby Supplies". No muss, no fuss. Joy of a small town.

jaysin · Apr 18, 2012

papipeguy

Same here and the postoffice workers know whats being sent here and dont care.

lonestar · Apr 18, 2012

She is absolutely wrong about this, and the information can be found here http://pe.usps.com/FRN/PACT_Act_final.pdf

You needed to tell her to read Section 1716E of Title 18, U.S. Code.

Specifically, the exception that ANY tobacco, including cigarettes, can be mailed as "infrequent, lightweight shipments mailed between adult individuals".

I had this same problem when I was in the reptile business. Live animals are not shippable except when they are "Live Harmless Lizards" and the box is marked clearly as such. Seemed like I had to pull out their Handbook and show them that in writing every time I mailed animals.

Know your rights, because they sure dont !

zanthal · Apr 18, 2012

God bless you lonestar for doing your homework and sharing. : puffy

:
I really think we need a funny cartoon (such as this) about the ridiculousness of shipping tobacco.

markw4mms · Apr 19, 2012

I guess I've just been lucky because I've never had any problem sending tobacco through the mail.

lifeon2 · Apr 19, 2012

Postal worker: Anything liquid perishable flammable or hazardous?
Rick: Puppies and gasoline.
Postal worker: blank look or chuckle.

wildcat · Apr 19, 2012

Had a buddy who sold comics on ebay. Used the "book rate" for lower postage. After some time, the busybody behind the counter inquires about the books he sends out so often. He explaines they are old comicbooks. "They have ads in them! They are not eligible for the book rate!," she says. He says. "But the comics and the ads are 50 and 60 years old!" Long story short, he was no longer allowed to mail via book rate, as the ads in her opinion violated some rule of commerse...
Is this what George, Ben and Tom had in mind??

Post office Contraband

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