Best Way to Send Pipe Tobacco to Ireland?

[spearheadbill]

Title edited for caps and brevity. Rule 9!

Hello,
So I am hoping to find the best way to send a small package of various pipe tobacco's to a friend in Ireland. I have sent 2 packages previously and 1 of them was confiscated. I sent it through the US post. would it be better to pay the extra costs for Fedex or UPS or some other way? I just want to ensure that my package arrives safely cost not a factor.
thank you for your input.

 

[warren]

I wouldn't attempt to send tobacco to an EU country. You will get some "work around" suggestions from others. Well, at least until the mods stumble onto such posts.

 

[spearheadbill]

is speaking on this forbidden? I guess I could have read the rules more closely. I honestly didn't know. Just want to share with a friend.

 

[warren]

is speaking on this forbidden? I guess I could have read the rules more closely. I honestly didn't know.

Can certainly be discussed. Responders are simply prohibited from suggesting "how to's" for getting around the various laws.

 

[Auxsender]

I think it all depends on how you word the declaration of contents on the customs forms. Be truthful but also be….smart.

 

[telescopes]

I have a friend on the forum in an EU country. We send each other tobacco in envelopes used for mail. I always mark them "Burn after Reading." So far, there have been no problems. It is how I am currently smoking a pipe load of Condor. The one time I did send him some in a box, he had to pay custom charges. He is currently waiting for me to reciprocate with a pouch of "Salty Dog." Yes, you can be sure I'll be writing a Sea Shanty about a sailor's dog and sending it off to Spain. I always did enjoy sending letters.

 

[AJL67]

If you wanna be a nice guy and send them tobacco, just send it and be honest on the custom forms. You never know they might see an honest custom form and not decide to charge an arm and leg and fees and duties. I’ve sent large packages overseas, and the duties and taxes turned out to be much less than I thought they would be, sometimes honesty is the best policy

 

[anotherbob]

most countries literally have websites that have this information on them. Have had to send things all over the world usually they make it easy to find out the specifics you need to know.

 

[spearheadbill]

most countries literally have websites that have this information on them. Have had to send things all over the world usually they make it easy to find out the specifics you need to know.

did I put you out by asking a question here?

 

[spearheadbill]

So, I wasn't asking for illegal smuggling tips or any nefarious referrals. Just simply trying to get some real firsthand experience with sending some pipe goodies to a friend in Ireland. I have done some peeking around on the web and looked at USPS and other sites but thought I might glean some real experience from fellow smokers who have done this. Why some folks need to chime in with zero experience and nothing but presumptuous opinions is a mystery as old as the internet itself! it is entertaining though if not completely worthless! thanks for nothing.

 

[Ahi Ka]

Can certainly be discussed. Responders are simply prohibited from suggesting "how to's" for getting around the various laws.

Actually it appears the forum rules were updated a while back (not sure when but I feel at least a year) and the whole section about avoiding customs etc has been removed.

 

[warren]

So, I wasn't asking for illegal smuggling tips or any nefarious referrals. Just simply trying to get some real firsthand experience with sending some pipe goodies to a friend in Ireland.

I'd bet firsthand experiences by members here will vary widely. Totally on the customs officer handling the parcel I'd guess. Some are competent, others lazy or, inattentive. Pipes are not the same as tobacco.

Ireland is a member of the EU. Northern Ireland is also still, despite Brexit, I believe. UK members have different status from what I've read. You need to query the EU asking about sending tobacco products into a member country. I believe, you really need to ask them. My understanding, limited as it is, is you can send such but, there are duties to be paid by the person you are gifting or trading with. The product needs to be declared on the Custom's form you will fill out.

You're asking a bunch of laymen for legal advice. So, you are gonna get a bunch of responses, some of it anecdotal, some totally wrong but, I doubt you will get a definitive answer unless you ask EU customs.

Actually it appears the forum rules were updated a while back (not sure when but I feel at least a year) and the whole section about avoiding customs etc has been removed.

And, importantly, Ahi Ka is correct. Members are apparently allowed to suggest methods of circumventing laws and regulations. So, those of you inclined to aid and abet such behavior are apparently free to do so. Mea culpa! I haven't stayed up on the latest changes in the site's rules. Such was explicitly prohibited some time ago. My apologies!

 

[Ahi Ka]

No need to apologise Warren, I found it strange that the rule vanished into the void.

As for the OP, among the entertaining posts you’ve had some pointers already. It’s a topic that one really has to read between the lines on. I know some members are quite open about strategies etc, and others just don’t say anything, as to do so would be publicly posting about breaking the law in their country.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Send Fed Ex. Snap amount, your chances are very good.

 

[anotherbob]

did I put you out by asking a question here?

Nope just trying to give the most useful answer I can. And my hope is you can get a certain answer that allows you to send your friend some tobacco without any worries about unnescary bothers.

 

[orlandofurioso]

 

[WerewolfOfLondon]

Put one, maybe two tins of tobacco in a padded envelope. Tins now, not those pressurised cannisters C&D put their bacci in. In my experience, small envelopes get a pass, boxes, however small, seem to get snagged.

 

[telescopes]

I agree. This was my point that I was making above. Of course, if I were sending a large shipment of tobacco, I would fill out whatever customs form necessary. But sending an ounce and a half of tobacco via a small letter sized envelope is much more user friendly, and more importantly, so much secure in that your mail will most certainly arrive. Most smokers I have found are simply wanting to try out a tobacco they normally can't get a hold of so they can sample it. If someone finds doing this offensive or wrong - my advice is don't do it. This is not a lesson on how to circumvent regulations but merely the fact that a letter sized envelope is cheaper and easier to mail.

Put one, maybe two tins of tobacco in a padded envelope. Tins now, not those pressurised cannisters C&D put their bacci in. In my experience, small envelopes get a pass, boxes, however small, seem to get snagged.

 

[UB 40]

Versand von Zigaretten außerhalb der EU​

Europäische Bürger können gemäß der Richtlinie 2006/79/EG des Rates Pakete mit bis zu 50 Zigaretten aus Nicht-EU-Ländern erhalten. Der Versand von Zigaretten in beliebiger Menge zwischen Privatpersonen wird jedoch von den meisten Kurierdiensten immer noch verboten. Wenn Sie Zigaretten per Post oder Kurier zwischen Privatpersonen verschicken, tun Sie dies auf eigenes Risiko.
Die gleiche Regel gilt für Sendungen mit Zigaretten nach und aus dem Vereinigten Königreich nach dem Brexit.

Shipping cigarettes outside the EU


European citizens can receive packages of up to 50 cigarettes from non-EU countries under Council Directive 2006/79/EC. However, sending any quantity of cigarettes between private individuals is still prohibited by most courier services. If you send cigarettes by post or courier between private individuals, you do so at your own risk.

From: Zigaretten per Post international verschicken - https://www.eurosender.com/de/pack-ship/zigaretten#kleine-Sendung