I would like to order cigarettes online. Will they be taxed or confiscated at customs?

Question

I found a site that ships cigarettes from Netherland Antilles. They require ordering 10 cartons at once. What will I experience if anything when they come thru customs via Air Mail Express?

Answer 1

They probably won't be affected at customs, but if you don't pay your state's cigarette tax on them, expect a bill from your state for the tax plus penalties.

Answer 2

Customs will collect the Federal tobacco tax ($10.10 per carton) and any duties. They will also notify your state department of revenue of the shipment of tobacco. Many states, particularly those with high tobacco taxes, will then bill you for the tobacco tax and probably the sales tax due. If you live in NYC for example, the total taxes on 10 cartons could easily exceed $550.



This assumes that the shipment is properly marked. If it is not and if Customs catches it (they have dogs looking for such goods) they will confiscate and destroy the shipment. You will still be required to pay the taxes however under the assumption that you knew that the goods were coming in illegally. It would be up to you to prove otherwise.



Also bear in mind that foreign cigarettes, even familiar American brands, may be VERY different from what you are accustomed to.



Don't waste your time with the vacant lot trick foolishly suggested by another respondent. It won't work, aside from the fact that it's illegal. You must pay the Customs duties and fees prior to delivery and they will require positive ID before releasing the shipment. If you show up with a different name and address on your ID than on the package, they simply won't release it to you.

Answer 3

I have a friend who ordered some cigars that way and the state sent him a tax bill that knocked his socks off. Next time he orders he is going to use an alias and put a mail box up a few streets over from his house where there is a vacant lot. Then when the cigars are delivered he will remove the box so the notice to a non-existant person will be returned as undeliverable. As long as there are vacant lots to put mail boxes up at this should work okay.

Answer 4

I buy cigarettes online. Usually they split orders in small parcels (2 cartons each parcel). The reason they do it is to avoid customs clearance upon arrival. The postman brings my parcels home. I just sign the parcel upon arrival. That's it.

Answer 5

Ordering them online does not excuse you from paying your state tax as many people have found out to their horror.

Answer 6

My advice is to check carefully at http://www.go2cheapcigarettes.com/ Once I needed similar information and got everything there.