Many of the online cigarette web sites operate out of Western Europe and Russia. While this is not illegal, the products they sell and how they ship to you will be very different from Aadiscount cigarettes.
The cigarettes sold in Europe and the Russian communities have a distinctly different tastes than their American counterparts. They are the same brand names and packaging, in most cases, is also very similar but the flavors can be very different. The Europeans and Russians like a stronger taste in their tobacco so if you buy their products, you may notice a very different flavor. That may not be bad and this is not meant to say you won’t like them but just be prepared for a differnt flavor than what you are used to in America. At aadiscount cigarettes, we only sell Americn cigarettes, made in the the USA and shipped to you fresh daily (usually within 2-7 days of your purchase).
Shipping and delivery is also very different. Your orders from Europen seller may take anywhere from 7-30 days to arrive and in many cases, will not arrive in full carton shipments. Why?
This is kind of a two edged sword that has some funny underpinnings to it. According to Customs and the ATF, a person returning from a foreign country is allowed up to 200 cigarettes duty free.
I. The rules governing the importation of cigarettes and tobacco productsunder 26 U.S.C 5754. Restrictions on Importation of Previously ExportedTobacco Products and Other Conforming Amendments:A. Export-labeled tobacco products:B. Personal-use quantity exemption:(1) Passengers/travelers may import previously exported (restricted)tobacco products only in quantities not exceeding the amountsspecified in exemptions for which the traveler qualifies. Anyquantities of restricted tobacco products not permitted by anexemption will be seized and destroyed. These items are typicallypurchased in Duty Free Stores, on carriers operatinginternationally, or in foreign stores. These items are usuallymarked “Tax Exempt. For Use Outside the U.S.,” or “U.S. TaxExempt For Use Outside the U.S.”For example, a returning resident, if she/he claims and is grantedan exemption, is eligible for the $400 exemption, which may include200 cigarettes. If the resident declares 400 previously exportedcigarettes, the resident would be permitted 200 cigarettes, tax-freeunder the exemption and the remaining 200 cigarettes would beseized. If a returning resident is eligible for the $400 exemptionand declares 400 cigarettes, of which 200 have been previouslyexported and 200 which have not been previously exported, theresident would be permitted to import the 200 previously exportedcigarettes tax free under the exemption and the resident would becharged duty and tax on the remaining 200 cigarettes.
There are also some pretty strict labeling requirements and other things that a foreign cigarette manufacturer must adhere to in order to import cigarettes into the US (for re-sale).
The part about shipping cigarettes to the US has the States Attorney Generals offices up in arms. They want the US Postal Service to begin confiscating shipments of tobacco products from foerign countries whereas the Postmaster General is refusing to do so because it is not part of their charter.
Because of this impending threat to their business, many foreign shippers will send your cigarettes in smaller, less obvious packages (than a carton size package) and you may receive your cigarettes over a period of time 2-5 packs at a time. Now, if your order takes 2-4 weeks to ship and they are coming in 2-5 packs at a time, how fresh can they be? Also, what a pain to receive them 2-5 packs per delivery. Think about it if you are ordring 4-5 cartons at a time?
Oh well, just some interesting tidbits of information about ordeing cigarettes online from foreign sellers
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