Can I have English friends bring tobacco to the US for me?

[ericusrex]

I will see a couple of good friends at a conference this summer. They live in England. Can they legally bring me a pound or two of some tobaccos I can't get here in the states?

 

[Perique]

Not without paying duty. If they declare it. Not sure what the threshold is for paying tax nowadays , but I would imagine it's significantly less than a pound.
That said, between you, me, and the NSA, my (imaginary) experience with customs is that your friends are unlikely to be caught " smuggling" tobacco. Hypothetically, I may have brought plenty of tobacco back from overseas trips with no problems.

 

[sablebrush52]

If any of your friends have diplomatic immunity, you're set. That's how I used to get my Cubans.

 

[beastkhk]

Interesting, customs has it noted that can bring 100 cigars or 200 cigarettes in, but if loose or pipe tobacco you have to contact the port of entry directly.
Customs help

 

[jkrug]

Do our friends enjoy a good brisk strip search and the rubber glove treatment...if yes than by all means have them bring as much as you want!! :rofl:
On a more serious note. Best to check with customs and see what the regulations state. Probably some limits and taxes/duties in place.

 

[warren]

Never had a problem bringing 20 or so tins back fro Ireland and England. Of course it was a mixed bag.

 

[mso489]

How many friends are arriving? If it's not too inconvenient, you could determine what the permissible limit is, then have them divide up the amount so they are each within the limit, since arriving passengers are evaluated one at a time. I think sealed tins would cause less hassle than loose tobacco. The bigger the quantity, the more attention it will get. If you get into paying duty, it wouldn't be worth the effort.

 

[matches]

Having a quick look at us customs pages. There's quite a discrepancy between residents entering the US and non-residents. Residents it says "a reasonable amount of tobacco" non-residents says 4.4lbs ie 2 kgs.

 

[ericusrex]

Thanks for the links, all!
I did get in touch with the port of entry directly and they weren't too specific...which concerns me. My first inquiry was replied to with merely a link to the exact webpage I had reference stating 'contact port of entry for pipe/loose tobacco'. I inquired again and directly referenced this in my second email and the reply was 'it basically falls under the 200 cigarette rule.' What do you think this means? Seems rather cryptic to me. Anyways, I'm not looking to import a lot of it, no where near the 2Kg Matches says is legal. I'm just looking for some pouches of blends like Condor, St. Bruno, Clan and Revor Plug. Maybe 8 oz total. That way, if it gets confiscated by some overly eager official I won't be out too much.
Thanks for all the replies!

 

[oakbear]

For a amount as small as 8oz i'd just ship it. I've sent packages to the US before and ever had a issue.

I feel sure the 8oz would be fine, especially between several people.

I also know people who have take a LOT of tobacco back to the US, and just walked through. Customs seem very relaxed coming from the UK as tobacco here costs a lot more and there are no major illicit substance issues.

 

[ericusrex]

I've got a friend flying through Heathrow next weekend! We'll see what she can find for me at terminal 5 duty free.