Snus tax

[initb2009]

I order snus in bulk from buysnus and I am wondering, since they are located in Sweden and I am in the United States, do I have to pay taxes on the snus that I have shipped to my state?

[Frosted]

I don't know what the laws are in the US but I'd doubt it. You're in a completely different tax system.

You'd probably pay it direct to UPS.

[Mr. Snuffleupagus]

If you buy from Northerner, they charge the state taxes for you. If you buy from Buysnus, you are responsible for paying taxes to your state.

[Snus Boost]

I have yet to hear of one person that buys snus from Sweden getting a tax bill.

[Mr. Snuffleupagus]

I have yet to hear of one person that buys snus from Sweden getting a tax bill.

That's true I believe. However, it is still our legal responsibility to pay the use tax to our state. That doesn't mean you "have" to, just like not stopping at a stop sign. There is a recent thread that rumors California might start buying private data to enforce this. Not sure if it will happen or how far back it would go, but there's still a chance of getting a decent sized bill down the road for some. Just sayin'

[GoVegan]

I have yet to hear of one person that buys snus from Sweden getting a tax bill.

Neither have I but I am going to figure importing tax free snus is the same as downloading illegal MP3's. The odds of getting caught are slim to none but they will probably hit you hard if you are one of the few that get caught. I really wish our government would set up a website where you can easily pay your federal and state taxes with a few clicks and a credit card.

[snusjus]

I'm sure the government will "make an example" of an unlucky person some day. With my vulnerability to bad luck, it will probably be me.

Oh well, I will take the risk and pay $3.65/can including shipping.

[GoVegan]

It'll probably be someone in California. They are hurting for money.

Oddly, it will probably be about sales tax for someone who buys from a US vendor - the US vendors have to report the tobacco taxes to the state tax authorities. It is, IMO, a small matter for someone from the tobacco tax department to walk that list over to the "use tax" department... Then they calculate the fines and interest - next thing you know Willie Nelson has to throw you a benefit concert.

The overseas vendors might be "safer", but customs is supposed to report you to the tax authorities. I don't know if they have the manpower/processes in place to do that - I tend to doubt it.

But I buy from US based vendors. I'm banking on a jury of my peers not throwing me in jail for "use tax" evasion - since all of them have ordered from Amazon at least. You'll get no sympathy over failing to pay tobacco taxes and you'll be called a boot-legger.

I tried to go completely legitimate - but in my state, the only way to pay all of your taxes in their processes is to become a vendor/company.

Hey I am just looking forward to the Willie Nelson Concert. I don't really like his music but he seems like one hell of a guy!