Shipping Tobacco Internationally

How to ship tobacco products nationally and internationally

Are you an individual, a manufacturer or a reseller willing to send tobacco by post or by courier? Get informed on how to ship tobacco products safely and legally. Have a look at tobacco shipping laws and regulations and check our packaging instructions if you are planning to send this type of product to your clients, friends, or family.

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Shipping tobacco products internationally

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HOW TO PACK

How to pack tobacco products for shipping on a pallet?

When shipping cigarettes internationally, you should make sure that you know how to properly prepare your package for transport. These simple instructions will surely help you send cigarettes by post or via courier services:

  1. Prepare the boxes and fill them with cushioning materials.
  2. Next, prepare the pallet and stack the boxes one onto another.
  3. Fix them with a packaging rope and wrap them in plastic foil to make sure they cannot move on the pallet.

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*Please have in mind that some courier companies may include tobacco products in the list of prohibited items. For any clarifications, please contact our team of specialists via chat.

HOW TO PACK

How to pack small quantities of tobacco products for shipping?

When shipping tobacco internationally, you should make sure that you know how to properly prepare your package for transport. Products such as cigars, pipe tobacco, and cigarillos must always be sent in their original sealed packaging.

  1. Place the tobacco inside a plastic bag to avoid contact with water.
  2. If you are shipping tobacco together with other items, like clothes, you can use them as cushioning. Otherwise, use several layers of bubble wrap.
  3. Prepare the box. Fill it with cushioning materials, then place the cigarette packs and all other items in the box.
  4. Seal the box.

SHIPPING REGULATIONS

Regulations on shipping tobacco for companies in 2021

Shipping tobacco products within the EU

Licensed tobacco manufacturers and retailers can legally ship tobacco to each other as freight. VAT and excise duty must be paid before these goods are sent to the destination country.

Shipping tobacco products outside the EU

European companies can ship tobacco products internationally to recipients based in non-EU countries, if they have an official license, pay VAT, excise duties, and conclude relevant agreements with authorized courier services.

FOR INDIVIDUALS

Regulations on sending tobacco in the mail in 2021

Shipping tobacco products within the EU

It is important to distinguish between sending tobacco in the mail and travelling with tobacco. While carrying tobacco for personal use is possible, shipping tobacco between individuals is not permitted in the EU. When sending tobacco products to each other, individuals do so at their own risk.

Shipping tobacco products outside the EU

European citizens can receive parcels containing small quantities of tobacco products (25 cigarillos of a maximum weight of three grams each, or 10 cigars or 50 grams of smoking tobacco or 200 sticks of tobacco for heating in electronic devices) from non-EU countries under the EU Council Directive 2006/79/EC.

However, sending any quantity of tobacco between individuals is still prohibited by most courier companies. When choosing to send tobacco products between private consumers in the mail, individuals do so at their own risk.
The same rule applies to tobacco shipments sent to and from the UK after Brexit.

MORE INFORMATION

FAQs on shipping tobacco products

Do all couriers allow shipping tobacco products?
It is important to note that not all courier companies will ship tobacco products internationally. For example, DHL, TNT and UPS will not ship products containing tobacco. Each courier has specific rules and requirements for different shipments and services, so we recommend checking this further with the designated courier for your route. When booking Express or Regular plus shipping services, please make sure not to include these items as the courier will refuse to collect the parcel. If you need further assistance, you can reach us by chat, phone or email before shipping to discuss your options further.
Do people still post tobacco within the EU?
Even though shipping tobacco products between individuals is not allowed in almost every EU country, European citizens ship them among other items every day. Cigarillos, cigars, tobacco sticks for heating and pipe tobacco are often posted as a gift. Senders usually carefully wrap them in their clothes or place them between other items in the parcel.
What are the official limits for people willing to transport tobacco products between several European countries on their own?
The limits for travelling with tobacco products within the EU regulations are as follows:
  • Cigarillos (cigars that do not weigh more than 3 g each): 400 items
  • Cigars: 200 items
  • Smoking tobacco: 1 kg
  • 800 tobacco sticks for heating or 250 g of tobacco content (in different presentations)
Exceeding these indicative levels is not recommended, as the traveller will need to prove that the goods are intended for personal use.
What are the tobacco allowances for individuals travelling from outside the EU?
  • 100 cigarillos or
  • 50 cigars or
  • 800 tobacco sticks for heating or 250 g of tobacco content (in different presentations) or
  • 250g smoking tobacco.
Travellers carrying tobacco products from outside the EU will need to submit a customs declaration.
What is the maximum amount of tobacco that one can send abroad and where can I find this information?
Every country has its internal policies regarding the acceptable limit of restricted products sent for personal use. To learn more, you need to check the official web pages of the pick-up and the destination countries’ customs agencies.

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Take into consideration these guidelines when shipping tobacco internationally. Nevertheless, please consider that following them does not guarantee that the courier company will transport your package without restriction. In case you decide to send tobacco, Eurosender will not be held responsible for any damages caused by the transportation of your shipment.
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