Hawaii Bans Online Tobacco Sales: SHTF Scenario

Log in

SmokingPipes.com Updates

Watch for Updates Twice a Week

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

Ahi Ka

Lurker
Feb 25, 2020
6,872
32,809
Aotearoa (New Zealand)
I was editing over my reply, look at the last comment, about a consumer paying tax.

What do you mean by increasing tobacco sent to Hawaii?

P.S. How things going mate? :)
For example, look 8 posts back further up this thread 🤙🏼

Yeah I saw that about consumer tax, which would probably be applied by the likes of SPC (or whichever online vendor gets a GE) at checkout.

As always curiously watching the entertainment from the bench seats. Enjoying the emotional rollercoaster.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cyxelsid

PipeIT

Lifer
Nov 14, 2020
5,238
30,895
Hawaii
For example, look 8 posts back further up this thread 🤙🏼

Yeah I saw that about consumer tax, which would probably be applied by the likes of SPC (or whichever online vendor gets a GE) at checkout.

As always curiously watching the entertainment from the bench seats. Enjoying the emotional rollercoaster.

Hey, you didn’t answer my question LOL 😆 How ya doing mate?

I went back 8 posts, hmm, still not sure which one you referring to? 🤔
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cyxelsid

PipeIT

Lifer
Nov 14, 2020
5,238
30,895
Hawaii
I just got off the phone today, and spoke to one of the heads of the Tax Department.

Fact, tobacco is not illegal to ship to Hawaii.

A business in the Continental USA, needs a GE & Tobacco License.

GE is $20 a year and Tobacco License $50 a year.

Also, a consumer can file a yearly M110 form, and pay the taxes on their end. If a consumer files the M110, then a business does not have to get a GE and Tax License if they want to leave it up to consumers.
 

OverMountain

Lifer
Dec 5, 2021
1,406
5,035
NOVA
I just posted this reply under the Tobacco Legislation for Hawaii as well, good news! :)

Hawaii Ban on Shipping
—————————————

On the link from the Electronic Smoking Device Retailer Registration Unit I posted above, I called them, and they told me to speak with the Taxation Office.

This is the Hawaii Taxation Department’s telephone number and website.

https://hitax.hawaii.gov/_/

(808) 587-4242 - Prompt #4

The Hawaii Taxation Department told me, for any online retailer in the USA, even without a physical location, to apply for a GE License for an Out of State Online Retailer.

I was told, yes, any business in any state with a Hawaii GE License can now legally ship to Hawaii!
So this is all a political brownie points paper drill?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cyxelsid

PipeIT

Lifer
Nov 14, 2020
5,238
30,895
Hawaii
So this is all a political brownie points paper drill?

There’s a little more info I posted above on #108.

I don’t know what this is, I’ve been told, it’s simply there were no Vape laws in the past, and they wanted it now regulated like tobacco, and then include getting licenses and paying the fees just like a local business to do business also out of state.

On the subject of fireworks, I’m aware, supposedly now, you pay a small fireworks permit fee, or they just seem to be letting people on like New Years and the 4th of July light them off as usual.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cyxelsid

MaukaMan

Lurker
Jun 27, 2023
22
95
Maui, Hawaii
this is in reply to maukaman. feel your pain brother. i live in washington which has banned online sales of tobacco. another example of our government helping us in our greatest need!!!!! dont know how we would ever get along without them. anyhow i started ordering online and shipping to my brother in idaho. he sends it to me via usps or i pick it up from him. hope this isnt against forum rules but this seems to be an urgent issue....you might also try ordering from 4 noggins...enough said on that suggestion. good luck to you.
You suggestion did the trick. Had a couple more blends I wanted. Thanks for the tip!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cyxelsid
Nov 18, 2024
4
3
"if a business doesn’t have a GE, a consumer is suppose to then be able to pay yearly taxes on their purchases, also making it legal to ship this way."
This was my understanding as well. After reading the bill and related articles it appears to me that the legislators' attitude is "Tobacco is evil and you're killing everyone in the world if you smoke, but if you do smoke we are going to make sure we get $$$$." Even in politics it's the bottom line.

The problem is, when you call the state agency and tell them, "Hello, I'd like to comply with your law and pay the extortionate 70% tax on some pipe tobacco" you're going to get the "You need to call some other office- sorry." Or, "I don't know anything about that."

The other problem is finding a shipper who is willing to ship even if you are ready, willing and able to do it legally.
 
Nov 18, 2024
4
3
I just got off the phone today, and spoke to one of the heads of the Tax Department.

Fact, tobacco is not illegal to ship to Hawaii.

A business in the Continental USA, needs a GE & Tobacco License.

GE is $20 a year and Tobacco License $50 a year.

Also, a consumer can file a yearly M110 form, and pay the taxes on their end. If a consumer files the M110, then a business does not have to get a GE and Tax License if they want to leave it up to consumers.
Thanks for doing the leg work. From the M110 instruction sheet: "For example, if you are an individual and you buy cigarettes or tobacco products online or through a catalog from an unlicensed seller located outside of Hawaii and import those products into Hawaii for your own use, then you are required to report and pay the cigarette and tobacco taxes on those products."

Do you think any online sellers will be willing? The sites I have looked at have large font "We do not ship tobacco products to Hawaii."
 
  • Like
Reactions: Shore

PipeIT

Lifer
Nov 14, 2020
5,238
30,895
Hawaii
All I know is, moving forward, the most important thing now according to CRA;


The main reason why cigars and pipe tobacco can’t be legally shipped, is supposedly Legislation didn’t get the Tax worked out on these items, when the Vape Law went active, so it became illegal to ship them.

CRA believes because of this, shipping to Hawaii should be hopefully legal again next year.
 
Nov 18, 2024
4
3
All I know is, moving forward, the most important thing now according to CRA;


The main reason why cigars and pipe tobacco can’t be legally shipped, is supposedly Legislation didn’t get the Tax worked out on these items, when the Vape Law went active, so it became illegal to ship them.

CRA believes because of this, shipping to Hawaii should be hopefully legal again next year.
Thanks for the update and thanks for informing me about CRA.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Shore and PipeIT