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Post by Stanhill on Apr 3, 2018 6:13:13 GMT -5
Thank you very much, David. I never been to the USA, but I like reading about all the American tobaccos we can't get here in Europe anymore; I get all worked up, but also know what would happen if I ordered some. I'd dearly like a tub of Prince Albert and that Lane remake of Edgeworth; two of the tobaccos I was tobacco-raised on, because my Father smoked them, but The Danish customs would have a field day and I'd be fleeced, not pleased.  Sounds really sad considering the Danish influence on pipe smoking....the superstars of pipe making and fine tobacco companies like MacBaren..... It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad world. It is sad, really. Normally, when you buy goods from outside of the EU, you're allowed to buy for such-and-such amount before they slam tax, duty, VAT and what-have-we on you (they even charge you 25$ just to look at the bloody parcel), but tobacco is an exception to that. I might buy a couple of ounces of each of the tobaccos and hope that they'll sail under the radar, but they'll be gone in less than two weeks and I'm back to square one. |
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Post by Legend Lover on Apr 3, 2018 6:54:45 GMT -5
I really don't understand why there's such an embargo (if that's the right word) on tobacco. What's the problem with letting us have access to alternative blends from across the world? Why can't there just be an added UK duty at checkout?
There's probably a legitimate reason, but in my head it's simple...but in my head most things are.
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Post by zambini on Apr 3, 2018 11:15:57 GMT -5
I really don't understand why there's such an embargo (if that's the right word) on tobacco. What's the problem with letting us have access to alternative blends from across the world? Why can't there just be an added UK duty at checkout? There's probably a legitimate reason, but in my head it's simple...but in my head most things are. The basic idea is that tobacco is known to contain certain harmful byproducts and is therefore a controlled substance (a scheduled drug I think you call it in the UK). Governments set up procedures for deeming that controlled substance safe enough which can prove costly for companies to pass. Companies therefore pick and choose what plays well in what market. Traditionally you're allowed a personal franchise when passing through customs that while with most products is tied to value, in tobacco it's tied to weight. If you go over the set amount (usually 200g of pipe tobacco, 20 cigars, or 200 cigs) than customs will seize and destroy or tax it. International agreements allow for certain controlled substances to pass on your person between many countries and won't be inspected by food or animal safety regulators i.e. those that deem the product for consumption in the new country. This is the case when customs defines importation as being 'for personal use'. When the product doesn't come on a person it is inherently defined as being 'for distribution' (you don't legally own something until you take control of it) and therefore of interest to the food and animal safety regulators. Customs, in most countries, is the lead inspector of packages from abroad and may seize anything they feel hasn't paid the proper duties on whatever is being imported 'for distribution'. Customs may additionally forward the product to the food and animal safety regulators if it doesn't pass its initial test of being in low quantity, vacuum sealed, tied to a residential address, etc. (Australia is really particular with regards to this but everyone is a little different). The food and animal safety regulators may decide that as the importer you are either liable for passing the necessary deeming tests or failing this, destroy the substance. In short, you'd need to set up the type of food and drug safety treaty that the US tried to convince the EU to sign on to but failed after the US wouldn't agree to implement the EU GMO policy in order to not have food and drug regulators destroy non-approved for sale tobacco. You'd otherwise need some person or company to have your favorite tobacco blend deemed safe enough for consumption in your country. The best you can do at the moment is take advantage of the existing customs agreements in place. |
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Post by Legend Lover on Apr 3, 2018 13:17:51 GMT -5
Very detailed explanation... Thank you. See, it's not that simple after all.
Thanks for taking the time to explain.
It does seem strange that tobacco is sold in both counties... It's not like you're trying to import a substance that is legal in one place but not in the other.
I'll enjoy what we have here. We have Germain's!
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