Pact Act - US orders no effect!

[GoVegan]

Well, Northerner and Buysnus should be looking into sending by mail again from Sweden, I would assume the same rules apply. The UPS charges and inconvenience is an outrage. I've been getting snuff in the mail without problem or delay from both Toque and Mr. Snuff and am almost inclined to give up snus completely if I have to pay $15 - $20 for shipping and be home to sign for my package

I hate to break it to you but it looks like the UPS shipping rates are now about $30.00 to send a couple of rolls from Sweden. This shipping expense adds significantly to the cost of a roll of snus. Now if you are going to do this right, you will also needs to pay your states tobacco tax and sales tax in some cases which you can reasonably estimate to be between $5-15 per roll. This PACT Act really sucks. Either rob us for shipping or rob us for tobacco tax but not both. My guess is that the states would be able to get more in taxes and not less if our government were to be reasonable about this. How about allowing USPS to ship snus and charge a small fee, say $3 or $4, to check ID when you pick up your snus at the post office? Or, how about states allowing you to pay your tobacco tax online without having to fill out a bunch of forms? You see, most business' look at ways to maximize profits while keeping their customers happy. Crap like the PACT Act shows that our government is only focused on ways of maximizing profits regardless of how their customers feel.

[Mr. Unloadingzone]

We were, it appears, in a panic over nothing. I spoke to Royal Mail again today and they say USPS must complete their contract to deliver UK mail under the Berne Agreement and nothing short of refusing to deliver all mail from the signatory countries can change it.

The imported tobacco lobby already tried using the Berne Agreement argument and it doesn’t hold water. If marijuana was legal in the UK, the US Post Office could still refuse to deliver it to the UK and file criminal charges. For Americans, the problem is getting tobacco products (except cigars) delivered to ANY address in the US; Alaska and Hawaii not included.

In July, the NY District Federal Court did rule in the Seneca Lawsuit to stay this ban for the Seneca’s pending arguments. The Court has since vacated that stay since the plaintiff didn’t make a case that having to use UPS instead of USPS would cause severe damage to their business. As of now, all snus distributors and retailers with a physical presence in the United States must not ship USPS, must make sure each can has the correct FDA label format, and must collect tobacco tax and sales tax.

Offshore snus eStore like buysnus.com or snuscentral.com can not ship USPS, must conform to labeling requirements like a Duty Free shop would, and verify age. None of the US State Governments are equipped to collect tobacco taxes from eStores only located in Sweden.

Like with anything else Americans purchase on the internet (for a while longer at least), we are responsible to pay any taxes due to our State Governments. Buysnus and Snuscentral do prepay the duty and customs to UPS...I don't know about any of the other Swedish location only eStores.

I guess the bottom line is for the foreseeable future, no USPS for Americans. The Seneca lawsuit should do away with that based on US Law. Unfortunately, our courts don't always rule based on law but on judicial activism. Even if the USPS ban is overturned, you're looking at 5 years minimum to work it's way up to the Supreme Court.

[chadizzy1]

Thanks for the reply Larry, I was hoping someone with ties to eStores would weigh in with this.

[Toque Snuff]

Mr Unloading,

That's what we were told as well, however our postal service has ruled it unconstitutional. Looks like a lot of snus users will be switching to Toque for the time being.

[justintempler]

Roderick,

I'm not going to argue with you , but I agree with Larry.

Just because I can get a package of generic Viagra sent from India to the USA doesn't mean it's legal, people do it all the time, the same goes for tobacco.

When people start getting their packages that were sent utilizing USPS confiscated by US customs you'll find out for yourself.
The Berne agreement allows each country to determine what is and what is not allowed into their respective countries.
There is nothing "unconstitutional" about the US congress telling the Post Office about what is and what is not allowed into the country.
PACT gave USPS some time (6 months?) to implement the changes, just because some people are getting away with it now, doesn't mean they will a year from now.

[c.nash]

You both have valid points, I guess we won't know unless one of Roderick's shipments gets stopped.

[Toque Snuff]

I thought Pact was immediate; we'll have to wait 6 months and see if USPS starts sending our shipments back.

As far as our Govt are concerned by completing a CN22 customs declaration and stating the value of the contents for tax collection we are fully compliant.

[snusgetter]

Snusgetter, It's about high time you placed an order with Toque...don't ya think...? (lol)

U be rite, my man!!

I think I'll take advantage of Toque's "Sample Selection 10 for the price of 9. Free Worldwide Shipping."

For ~$20, it's a cheap enough way to test the waters snuff-wise and shipping-wise.

Now I've just gotta figure out what flavors I might like.

[bipolarbear1968]

I'm not sure what your taste is. IMO, You should try a can of Menthol, Quit and SP Extra, pretty good flavor/nicotine wise.

I also love the Natural/Lime toast, but not for beginners...I wouldn't think.

Edit- you MUST try the Spanish Gem.

[snusgetter]

I'm not sure what your taste is. IMO, You should try a can of Menthol, Quit and SP Extra, pretty good flavor/nicotine wise.

I also love the Natural/Lime toast, but not for beginners...I wouldn't think.

Edit- you MUST try the Spanish Gem.

Anything like Spanish Fly?



I'm slowly checking out the on-site reviews but I'll consider any and all suggestions.
I'll definitely consider yours, BPB.

[PipenSnus]

I'll second BPB's recommendation of Spanish Gem. You should try it just because there's no other snuff like it. I would also recommend Berwick Brown for similar reasons.

Other than that, just go with flavors that sound good to you. You may want to avoid the toasts (Lime Toast, Natural Toast, Bourbon, Toast & Marmalade, Whiskey & Honey) until you've got a little snuffing experience, but it's your call.

[snusgetter]

Well, I just placed an order:

1. Berwick Brown,
2. Blueberry Menthol,
3. Cheese & Bacon,
4. Menthol,
5. Original,
6. Peppermint,
7. Quit,
8. Raspberry Menthol,
9. Spanish Gem,
10. Toffee

Now I just wait to see what happens!!


I'm hoping the menthols help my sinuses!!
Whatcha think for a first order?

[PipenSnus]

Nice selection, snusgetter. I haven't tried the Cheese & Bacon or the Toffee, but they both have a lot of fans. Toque's menthols are very good, as is the Peppermint. Toque Original will introduce you to the SP style of snuff, and you'll have to make up your own mind whether SP's are for you. Berwick Brown's flavorings are similar to an SP, but on a much different tobacco base. Quit doesn't have any flavorings added at all, which may or may not suit you. I ended up flavoring my 10g tin of Quit with peppermint oil.

[snusgetter]

Nice selection, snusgetter. I haven't tried the Cheese & Bacon or the Toffee, but they both have a lot of fans. Toque's menthols are very good, as is the Peppermint. Toque Original will introduce you to the SP style of snuff, and you'll have to make up your own mind whether SP's are for you. Berwick Brown's flavorings are similar to an SP, but on a much different tobacco base. Quit doesn't have any flavorings added at all, which may or may not suit you. I ended up flavoring my 10g tin of Quit with peppermint oil.

I'll have to remember that.

I was wondering if it was possible to flavor snuff as you would snus.

Guess I'll just have to figure out which flavorings work best and how much.

I'll let you know what I think of the Bacon & (Blue) Cheese and the Toffee.

Thanks.

[Darwin]

Ditto on the raves for Spanish Gem. I can hardly keep my fingers away from the stuff.