Legality of Shipping Pipe Tobacco From the UK to US, Through Private Individuals?

[IBEW]

Has anyone had experience shipping pipe tobacco from the UK to the US? I have a friend who lives in England and I was wondering if they would be allowed to send me some blends. I know royal mail and USPS don't have any issue with shipping pipe tobacco. But I was wondering about how it would work out with US customs. I figure i'd just have to pay duties fees? I couldn't find much information about it online

Thanks in advance!

 

[woodsroad]

No US duties below a certain amount. Most shipments that go through USPS slide right through.

 

[IBEW]

No US duties below a certain amount. Most shipments that go through USPS slide right through.

Thanks for the reply!

So there won't be an issue with my buddy writing pipe tobacco on the CN22 customs form right?

Any idea how much duties typically are? I know federal duties on pipe tobacco aren't much, but brokerage charges can be a lot. UPS gave me some hefty brokerage charges when I ordered from estervals but the federal duties fees were like $2 on 15 tins

Does USPS have some sort of brokerage charge or is it only federal duties?

 

[Ahi Ka]

I’ve never had any issues or duties on tobacco arriving from uk to USA. Shipped Royal Mail, delivered by usps. I think it was just hobby supplies on the customs declaration

 

[Brad H]

The phrase “I have nothing to declare” has always worked for me.
Also my packages were not big and heavy as to be considered bulk.

 

[woodsroad]

“Gift, Personal Use”
I have never been charged customs on pipe tobacco shipped to me in the US, via USPS or DHL.

 

[IBEW]

“Gift, Personal Use”
I have never been charged customs on pipe tobacco shipped to me in the US, via USPS or DHL.

There's a gift checkbox on the customs form, but then it asks for a description of the items. You just put personal use there?

 

[condorlover1]

I have got quite creative over the years. Potpourri usually works as a description, art supplies if you are sending plug tobacco, artistic ons if it is all sorted lengths of twist. Votive candles from the shrine to our lady of perpetual flatulence sent by Father Furz seems to work well for our German friends.

 

[IBEW]

I have got quite creative over the years. Potpourri usually works as a description, art supplies if you are sending plug tobacco, artistic ons if it is all sorted lengths of twist. Votive candles from the shrine to our lady of perpetual flatulence sent by Father Furz seems to work well for our German friends.

This is great haha. Thank you

 

[IBEW]

I have got quite creative over the years. Potpourri usually works as a description, art supplies if you are sending plug tobacco, artistic ons if it is all sorted lengths of twist. Votive candles from the shrine to our lady of perpetual flatulence sent by Father Furz seems to work well for our German friends.

Is there a certain weight you try to not exceed?

 

[sablebrush52]

Thanks for the reply!

So there won't be an issue with my buddy writing pipe tobacco on the CN22 customs form right?

Any idea how much duties typically are? I know federal duties on pipe tobacco aren't much, but brokerage charges can be a lot. UPS gave me some hefty brokerage charges when I ordered from estervals but the federal duties fees were like $2 on 15 tins

Does USPS have some sort of brokerage charge or is it only federal duties?

Should you order again from Estervals skip UPS and go with DHL Express. UPS has been slapping some very heavy fees on shipments, amounts that they make up. DHL has other risks, like getting caught up with a customs declaration, but generally has been fine for the majority of buyers.

 

[VDL_Piper]

In this shipping game there only haves and have nots. The haves just get on with it and bare the costs, charges, losses and then sit down and smoke what they desired.

 

[Brad H]

I have got quite creative over the years. Potpourri usually works as a description, art supplies if you are sending plug tobacco, artistic ons if it is all sorted lengths of twist. Votive candles from the shrine to our lady of perpetual flatulence sent by Father Furz seems to work well for our German friends.

Don't declare coffee. Its a red flag. Dealers use it to disguise the scent of drugs that our dog friends can smell. Well know fact, and might flag your package for further review.

 

[condorlover1]

@Brad H : Good point

 

[Sigmund]

I have not shipped tobacco but I literally ship a couple hundred packages to the US every year. Unless there is something suspect written on the package its not gonna get opened.

Padded envelopes are you friend with customs. They dont get the attention that boxes get...so Im told. So far as I know not one of the nearly a thousand packages Ive sent to the US over the past years has been even opened. If what is written on it makes sense (white elephants dont fit in padded envelopes) it move on through.

That said, almost every large box I have sent from the US to the EU gets opened for "Security" reasons. Padded envelopes and small boxes dont.

Since the US doenst charge VAT/TVA on imports there is less concern with incoming international mail. Its not a source of significant funding. In the EU you are basically paying sales tax on the item like the way you would if you bought it "In country". The motivation to check thing is much greater.

 

[AirOne]

I have got quite creative over the years. Potpourri usually works as a description, art supplies if you are sending plug tobacco, artistic ons if it is all sorted lengths of twist. Votive candles from the shrine to our lady of perpetual flatulence sent by Father Furz seems to work well for our German friends.

Will definitely keep these ideas in mind for later!

 

[Brad H]

Some are screened X-rayed and organic material shows up orange (tobacco,weed,an apple,etc) depending on the person screening could be subject to “additional review”

Don’t declare tobacco as “a perishable” or “fragile” either.

The phrase “I have nothing to declare” has always worked for me.
Also my packages were not big and heavy as to be considered bulk.

Above phrase is your friend.

 

[IBEW]

Has anyone declared pipe tobacco on the customs declaration with any issues? I noticed the duties aren't much, only $2.50/lb or somewhere around there

 

[Ahi Ka]

Has anyone declared pipe tobacco on the customs declaration with any issues? I noticed the duties aren't much, only $2.50/lb or somewhere around there

Yes.

 

[woodsroad]

Don't declare coffee. Its a red flag. Dealers use it to disguise the scent of drugs that our dog friends can smell. Well know fact, and might flag your package for further review.

Thank you for answering my question!