Can You Mail Cigarettes or Other Tobacco Products? Know Now

Shipping tobacco products, including cigarettes, can be a confusing process with strict regulations in place across different carriers.

Whether you’re a business owner or an individual looking to mail these items, it’s essential to understand the laws and restrictions surrounding tobacco shipments.

Mailing cigarettes is generally prohibited, but some tobacco products like cigars and smokeless tobacco can be shipped under certain conditions.

In this article, we’ll explore the rules for mailing cigarettes and other tobacco products through USPS, FedEx, UPS, and other carriers.

We’ll break down the regulations, exceptions, and penalties to ensure you’re fully informed and compliant before you send any tobacco-related items.

Can You Mail Cigarettes or Other Tobacco Products?

Shipping tobacco products, including cigarettes, comes with strict regulations that vary between carriers. Whether you’re a business owner or an individual, it’s crucial to understand the legal requirements and restrictions that apply.

This guide will walk you through the rules for mailing cigarettes and other tobacco products through USPS, FedEx, UPS, and other carriers, highlighting what’s allowed, what’s prohibited, and the potential penalties for non-compliance.

Can You Mail Cigarettes with USPS?

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has strict prohibitions against mailing cigarettes, vaping products, and other tobacco-related items. According to USPS guidelines, cigarettes cannot be mailed domestically or internationally.

USPS defines cigarettes as any roll of tobacco wrapped in paper or another non-tobacco substance, which includes traditional name-brand cigarettes like Marlboro and Newport​.

USPS also prohibits the mailing of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and vaping products containing liquid nicotine due to health concerns. This ban applies to both domestic and international shipments​.

However, USPS allows certain tobacco products to be mailed under specific conditions. These include:

• Cigars
• Smokeless tobacco, such as chewing tobacco and snuff
• Pipe tobacco

Even when shipping these items, strict packaging, labeling, and age verification (21+) requirements must be followed. Packages must be properly sealed and clearly labeled as containing tobacco, and an adult signature is required upon delivery.

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Mailing Cigarettes with FedEx or UPS

Both FedEx and UPS have similar policies to USPS, with some important distinctions.

FedEx Tobacco Shipping Policy

FedEx prohibits the shipment of cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products, including vaping devices. This policy applies even if the sender has proper licenses to ship tobacco products. FedEx does not accept tobacco shipments at any of its locations​.

While the shipping of tobacco products to individual consumers is entirely prohibited, FedEx does allow shipments between licensed distributors, provided they comply with local and federal laws.

UPS Tobacco Shipping Policy

UPS also prohibits the shipping of cigarettes, including little cigars and other types of tobacco products like e-cigarettes. However, UPS allows the shipment of cigars and smokeless tobacco between licensed shippers and retailers, as long as federal and local regulations are followed​.

Key UPS requirements include:

• Packages must be properly labeled with a tobacco shipment warning.
• An adult signature (21+) is required upon delivery.
• Compliance with federal law, including tax stamps on tobacco products, is mandatory​(UPS).

A unique distinction for UPS is its ability to ship tobacco internationally to select countries. While USPS prohibits all international tobacco shipments, UPS can deliver cigars and smokeless tobacco overseas under strict guidelines​.

Are There Any Exceptions for Mailing Cigarettes?

There are limited exceptions to the ban on mailing cigarettes. For example, some Native American reservations allow shipments of tobacco products to and from reservation addresses, as long as both parties comply with applicable local and federal regulations​.

Additionally, certain small-scale shipments may be allowed for intra-Alaska and intra-Hawaii deliveries, for returns to the manufacturer, or as gifts. However, these exceptions are rare, and shipping cigarettes remains illegal under most circumstances.

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Can You Mail Smokeless Tobacco and Cigars?

Smokeless tobacco products like chewing tobacco, snuff, and cigars are allowed for shipping through USPS, FedEx, and UPS under strict conditions:

• Age Verification: The sender and recipient must both be at least 21 years old. Most carriers require an adult signature at the time of delivery.
• Proper Packaging: Cigar shipments must be placed in durable boxes, such as wood, metal, or cardboard, to prevent damage. Smokeless tobacco must be sealed in tins or pouches. Loose tobacco or unpackaged cigars cannot be shipped.
• Labeling Requirements: Packages must be clearly labeled as containing tobacco products, and the sender must indicate that an adult signature is required​.

In addition, large quantities of tobacco shipments (e.g., more than 50 cigars or over 50 pounds of smokeless tobacco) may trigger hazardous materials (hazmat) shipping standards regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)​.

International Tobacco Shipping: Where Is It Legal?

While USPS prohibits the international shipping of tobacco products, FedEx and UPS allow the shipment of cigars and smokeless tobacco to select countries, provided that the origin and destination countries permit the import and export of these products.

Key points to remember:

• Country Restrictions: Both FedEx and UPS maintain lists of approved countries where tobacco shipments are allowed. It’s crucial to consult these lists before attempting to ship internationally​.
• Customs Compliance: Proper customs paperwork must be completed, and all duties or taxes must be paid by the recipient upon delivery.
• Age Verification: The recipient must be of legal age in the destination country to purchase tobacco products, and an adult signature is required.

Penalties for Illegally Mailing Tobacco

Violating the rules surrounding tobacco shipments can lead to serious legal consequences, including:

• Mail Fraud: Mailing cigarettes illegally can be classified as mail fraud, resulting in fines or imprisonment for up to five years for a single violation.
• Hazmat Violations: If large shipments of tobacco trigger hazmat regulations and proper protocols are not followed, fines from transportation authorities may apply.
• Product Confiscation: International shipments that do not comply with customs laws may be seized by customs agents, resulting in the loss of the product.

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Key Takeaways on Mailing Tobacco Products

To summarize:

• Cigarettes and e-cigarettes cannot be mailed via USPS, FedEx, or UPS under most circumstances.
• USPS allows the domestic shipment of cigars, pipe tobacco, and smokeless tobacco, but strict packaging and age verification requirements must be followed.
• FedEx and UPS allow limited shipments of cigars and smokeless tobacco, both domestically and internationally, but prohibit cigarettes.
• Penalties for violating these regulations include fines, imprisonment, and product confiscation.

FAQs

Can I mail cigarettes within the U.S.?

No, mailing cigarettes is prohibited by USPS, FedEx, and UPS under most circumstances.

What tobacco products can I mail domestically?

USPS, FedEx, and UPS allow the shipment of cigars, pipe tobacco, and smokeless tobacco within the U.S. following strict packaging and labeling rules.

Can I mail e-cigarettes?

No, mailing e-cigarettes or vaping products containing liquid nicotine is prohibited by USPS, FedEx, and UPS.

Are there any exceptions to mailing cigarettes?

There are limited exceptions, such as shipments to and from Native American reservations or intra-Alaska and intra-Hawaii shipments, but mailing cigarettes is generally illegal.

Can I mail cigars internationally?

Yes, FedEx and UPS allow the international shipment of cigars to select countries, but USPS prohibits all international tobacco shipments.

What are the penalties for mailing tobacco illegally?

Penalties can include fines, imprisonment, and confiscation of the shipment.