Terrible Experience with Shipping and Customs from Europe to the US

[Ryszard]

I'm envious of you all for even being able to order online. If I were to order tobacco from another country and customs seized the parcel I'd get slammed with a tax evasion charge, as well as a "disruption of the government's monopoly on tobacco" charge and have both that on my criminal record for years. ?

 

[fireground_piper]

I sent some samples to someone up in Canada last year with no issues. Listed everything including weight of each sample, that it was a gift with no sale value. It went through Canada customs fine, just took a while but they do permit up to so many ounces as gifts if I recall. I spent a good hour or two reading through all of the rules to make sure I was following them all. No one got hit with any duties either.

 

[3rdguy]

I have mailed many tins of tobacco yet I have mailed no tins of tobacco.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I sent some samples to someone up in Canada last year with no issues. Listed everything including weight of each sample, that it was a gift with no sale value. It went through Canada customs fine, just took a while but they do permit up to so many ounces as gifts if I recall. I spent a good hour or two reading through all of the rules to make sure I was following them all. No one got hit with any duties either.

Because it was my own homegrown, it was much more precarious. It all also fit neatly into a padded manila envelope. I wouldn't have thought it to set off any red flags. On the other hand, I've mailed seeds of my own peppers that I've cultivated to Canada with no issues. Random dice play, I guess.

 

[cachimbero]

I'm envious of you all for even being able to order online. If I were to order tobacco from another country and customs seized the parcel I'd get slammed with a tax evasion charge, as well as a "disruption of the government's monopoly on tobacco" charge and have both that on my criminal record for years. ?

But you live in Austria right?
Can't you buy tobacco on line in Germany? Supossedly we live in a unified market. Why can't we buy a legal item in another member state of this common market?
I have had my share of duties when buying outside the EU, but never with any item purchased from a member state. It is impossible to buy tobacco in many countries as non presencial sales are forbidden in many, but, wherever it is legal, I have done it with no problems. Spain is probably the country in the EU with a lower tobacco tax, I don't buy abroad to save but to have access to products that are not sold here. It would never cross my mind to buy cigars broad since price and variety is excellent, but pipe tobacco is a very different story.

 

[Ryszard]

But you live in Austria right?
Can't you buy tobacco on line in Germany? Supossedly we live in a unified market. Why can't we buy a legal item in another member state of this common market?
I have had my share of duties when buying outside the EU, but never with any item purchased from a member state. It is impossible to buy tobacco in many countries as non presencial sales are forbidden in many, but, wherever it is legal, I have done it with no problems. Spain is probably the country in the EU with a lower tobacco tax, I don't buy abroad to save but to have access to products that are not sold here. It would never cross my mind to buy cigars broad since price and variety is excellent, but pipe tobacco is a very different story.

Transportation of tobacco by mail as well as tobacco internet orders are entirely forbidden over here, no matter whether foreign or domestic. Austria has a government monopoly on tobacco and decides what tobacco is allowed to be sold by licensed and respectively taxed tobacconists. By importing tobacco into the country illegally (i.e. by mail) you are - so they say - defrauding the government's monopoly, even though you paid the tax in another member state. It's an ancient stupid law from before the EU membership to make sure the government gets a piece of the cake. The only legal way to obtain pipe tobacco from another EU country is to travel there and take back a maximum of 1 kilogram as part of your travel baggage, which normally wouldn't be a problem if borders were not closed due to the COVID situation. So count yourselves very lucky to have that kind of freedom, we are limited to the maybe 20 blends our local tobacconists have been allowed to offer by the government.

 

[cachimbero]

Transportation of tobacco by mail as well as tobacco internet orders are entirely forbidden over here, no matter whether foreign or domestic. Austria has a government monopoly on tobacco and decides what tobacco is allowed to be sold by licensed and respectively taxed tobacconists only. By importing tobacco into the country illegally (i.e. by mail) you are - so they say - defrauding the government's monopoly, even though you paid the tax in another member state. It's an ancient stupid law from before the EU membership to make sure the government gets a piece of the cake. The only legal way to obtain pipe tobacco from another EU country is to travel there and take back a maximum of 1 kilogram as part of your travel baggage, which normally wouldn't be a problem if borders were not closed due to the COVID situation. So count yourselves very lucky to have that kind of freedom.

A very sad situation. I think it goes against EU law (not the fact that tobacco cannot be sent by mail, but the fact that you have limits on goods purchased in another member state). I didn't know that you could be searched when crossing inner borders (in a non pandemic environment). Hope it is not learnt by other states, I suspect they'll be very keen to imitate.

 

[Ryszard]

A very sad situation. I think it goes against EU law (not the fact that tobacco cannot be sent by mail, but the fact that you have limits on goods purchased in another member state). I didn't know that you could be searched when crossing inner borders (in a non pandemic environment). Hope it is not learnt by other states, I suspect they'll be very keen to imitate.

Sad indeed, customs can search you on the basis of doing "random" non-permanent spot checks. If you're found to carry more than 1 kilogram, you'll have to prove to them that you're not importing for profit. I don't even know how you'd prove private use, depends on how much of a hard on the customs officer has and the situation I guess.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

But you live in Austria right?
Can't you buy tobacco on line in Germany? Supossedly we live in a unified market. Why can't we buy a legal item in another member state of this common market?
I have had my share of duties when buying outside the EU, but never with any item purchased from a member state. It is impossible to buy tobacco in many countries as non presencial sales are forbidden in many, but, wherever it is legal, I have done it with no problems. Spain is probably the country in the EU with a lower tobacco tax, I don't buy abroad to save but to have access to products that are not sold here. It would never cross my mind to buy cigars broad since price and variety is excellent, but pipe tobacco is a very different story.

Yes This might soon become subject to change but as of now, where I live ,Customs legislation clearly declares it is unlawful action to acquire tobacco or alcohol products via online orders from registered commercial vendors regardless where their businesses might be located Europe or not,if such delivery is found & intercepted by Customs authorities it is not eligible to pass customs clearance process and as a such has to be sent back to the vendor or destroyed under the customs surveillance

 

[cachimbero]

Yes This might soon become subject to change but as of now, where I live ,Customs legislation clearly declares it is unlawful action to acquire tobacco or alcohol products via online orders from registered commercial vendors regardless where their businesses might be located Europe or not,if such delivery is found & intercepted by Customs authorities it is not eligible to pass customs clearance process and as a such has to be sent back to the vendor or destroyed under the customs surveillance

And in person? Can´t you bring into Denmark tobacco or wine purchased in another EU state? I am getting worried, maybe I am breaking the law when buying at Estervals. Funny, when it means I pay more than I would pay for the same product if it were distributed here. A pack (40 grams) of Mac Baren 7 seas costs 2.40 euros here, it is a pity I don´t like it. If I buy a tin of Acadian Perique there the reasson is availability. I would never buy HH Vintage Latakia there when it is available here for a lower price. I was convinced there was free circulation of goods and services, now I know better. Sad.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

And in person? Can´t you bring into Denmark tobacco or wine purchased in another EU state? I am getting worried, maybe I am breaking the law when buying at Estervals. Funny, when it means I pay more than I would pay for the same product if it were distributed here. A pack (40 grams) of Mac Baren 7 seas costs 2.40 euros here, it is a pity I don´t like it. If I buy a tin of Acadian Perique there the reasson is availability. I would never buy HH Vintage Latakia there when it is available here for a lower price. I was convinced there was free circulation of goods and services, now I know better. Sad.

I'm speaking here of Finland's Customs Instructions on tobacco and alcohol imports, but as I have stated earlier ,in coming years all this might become subject to change ,since these like restrictions play against the free EU commercial zone idea ,and like such are soon going to be revised by EU councels in Bruxelles

 

[BROBS]

Wouldn't that send audible alarm bells ringing both sides of the Atlantic, or anywhere else in the world? As a biologist/biochemist by training I know that the introduction of foreign species in an ecosystem can really wreck it. The examples are too many, but I bet you're familiar with the decline of the American chestnut, kudzu, Dutch Elm disease, phyloxera and so many others. When I visited the US I had to declare I bring no agricultural or food products with me on my landing card, and going back to Greece I had to do exactly the same, I think it makes sense really.

I agree. Agricultural product is probably the worst term you could use

 

[BROBS]

You do know that people mail seeds across the borders all the time. I get seeds from Canada all the time. Hell, one of the biggest suppliers of seeds in the US is in Canada. OSC and Berton Seeds are where most farmers get their seeds, unless you want to pay Burpee prices, and industrial ag folks don't. I get packages marked ag samples all the time from them. No problems.

That’s INTO the US not INTO Canada. They have tight assholes up there. They hassled me years ago about bringing some packs of Dutch master cigars for a few buddies. (They aren’t available in Canada)

 

[Ahi Ka]

So count yourselves very lucky to have that kind of freedom, we are limited to the maybe 20 blends our local tobacconists have been allowed to offer by the government.

That’s 21 more blends available than the local shops here...I consider borkum riff a disgrace so it counts as a negative lol

 

[Duke of Erinmore]

A very sad situation. I think it goes against EU law (not the fact that tobacco cannot be sent by mail, but the fact that you have limits on goods purchased in another member state). I didn't know that you could be searched when crossing inner borders (in a non pandemic environment). Hope it is not learnt by other states, I suspect they'll be very keen to imitate.

Even within the EU customs is allowed to check international parcels for tobacco. The rules that are applied are those of the recipient's state. In Germany that means, they apply ON TOP German tobacco and sales tax. Then they inform you if you wish to pay and accept, if not, it goes back. In other states it is not allowed to mail tobacco at all (France, Italy), so most retailers do not ship there.

The strange thing is: that is only relevant for mail. When you are travelling, there are quite generous allowances (400 cigarettes or 1kg tobacco). The reason is that everyone would just order in the low-tax states and the high-tax states would lose tax income.

 

[clickklick]

I'm the poor schmuck with package #3. And I've NEVER had a postmaster come to my house for any reason. Last I checked importing two tins of no longer produced tobacco at 100grams and less than $200 valuation was not prohibited from any country to the USA. I would gladly pay the tax on whatever they think is necessary based on the content description. But unfortunately my package and the contents have been denoted as delivered and henceforth "lost" going back for customs inspection. So I imagine I'll never see them again. I did manage to snap a photo of the two tins before the postmaster arrived.

Highest price I've ever paid for a single photo ?

 

[Ahi Ka]

The postmaster wasn’t wearing an adidas tracksuit and beanie by any chance?

Joking aside, I’m sorry to hear how it has turned out. Absolutely crazy. Hopefully it gets sorted. I’ve had lost packages turn up a few months later.

 

[clickklick]

The postmaster wasn’t wearing an adidas tracksuit and beanie by any chance?

Joking aside, I’m sorry to hear how it has turned out. Absolutely crazy. Hopefully it gets sorted. I’ve had lost packages turn up a few months later.

Hahaha, no he was legit and had ID.

 

[karam]

Even within the EU customs is allowed to check international parcels for tobacco. The rules that are applied are those of the recipient's state. In Germany that means, they apply ON TOP German tobacco and sales tax. Then they inform you if you wish to pay and accept, if not, it goes back. In other states it is not allowed to mail tobacco at all (France, Italy), so most retailers do not ship there.

The strange thing is: that is only relevant for mail. When you are travelling, there are quite generous allowances (400 cigarettes or 1kg tobacco). The reason is that everyone would just order in the low-tax states and the high-tax states would lose tax income.

Eh, generous is a relative term. For regular smoking yes 1kg is plenty, for cellaring hoarders like us, especially from pipe tobacco deserts like Greece, Austria and others then we're stuffed, we need to buy big amounts for the eventual day the doors will close for good and we'll be stuck with Borkum Riff and Captain Black.

Isn't it that Danes go food and more importantly alcohol shopping in Germany? I wonder what are the limits there, but have been told by Danish friends that it's common to drive across the border and come back with a car full of liquor. Also heard of Germans driving to Poland etc.

 

[Ahi Ka]

Hahaha, no he was legit and had ID.

I still can’t get my head around this. Lol like wouldn’t it cost more to retrieve the package than any duty owing on it.