Time in transit: Standard shipping to the contiguous 48 states takes 1-6 business days from the date of shipment depending on distance from our facility in Pennsylvania (not including weekends or holidays). Alaska, Hawaii, US Territories and APOs/FPOs may take longer.
International shipments: Due to the massive regulations, excise taxes, and fees on tobacco import by receiving countries, all of which vary drastically from country to country, we do not ship internationally outside of the US, US Territories, and APOs/FPOs at this time. Someday we probably will, but right now we cannot unfortunately.
State Restrictions
South Dakota, Utah and Hawaii: due to state regulations we cannot ship any tobacco product into these states.
Utah regulation states: "It is Illegal to Buy Cigarettes/Tobacco Products by Internet, Phone, or Mail-Order. The sale and/or purchase of cigarette/tobacco products via the internet, phone, or by mail-order is prohibited, except to licensed persons. Distributors or wholesalers who sell cigarette or tobacco products into Utah must ascertain whether or not a person ordering the cigarette/tobacco products is licensed in the state." For more information: https://tax.utah.gov/tobacco/internet
South Dakota regulation states: "The shipment or transport of cigarettes or tobacco products to consumers in South Dakota is ILLEGAL under South Dakota law." For more information: https://dor.sd.gov/businesses/taxes/cigarette-tobacco/
Hawaii Regulation States: Establishes the offense of unlawful shipment of tobacco products. Includes electronic smoking devices and e-liquids under the definition of "tobacco products" for purposes of the cigarette tax and tobacco tax law. Amends the license and permit fees for wholesalers, dealers, and retailers. for more information: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=975&year=2023
California and Delaware:
While we require all purchasers to be over 21 years of age, we and all online cigar companies shipping to the state of California are also required per Senate Bill 39/Stop Tobacco Access to Kids Enforcement Act (STAKE act) to:
- Verify the customer is at least 21 years of age
- Ship all orders Adult Signature Required
- Call the customer after 5pm (PST) prior to shipping the order
As such, in order to comply with this restriction, we cannot ship to a PO Box to California.
Delaware’s Title 30 Chapter 53 requires us to:
• Receive and store age verification documents in order to sell a tobacco product to you. We have partnered with Veratad Age and Identity Verification Solutions to safely and securely store your information. This is a one-time process and the information will only be used to comply with your state’s requirements. Obtain the signature of a person 21 years of age or order before completing the deliveryNote, in order to comply with this restriction, we are unable to ship to a PO Box or offer certain shipping methods to Delaware.
Return policies
Our return policy is simple: when your package arrives, open and inspect. Refund of shipping charges will depend on the reason for the return.
If you receive a damaged product: Every product that leaves Brandshopper LLC has been inspected and in grade A condition unless otherwise noted. Sometimes things happen on the way to the Coliseum as they say. Damage in transit drives us as crazy as it drives you. If you received a damaged item, we’ll file a claim with the carrier and send you a replacement, in which case shipping is on our nickel. We’ll work to resolve it in a manner that requires the least amount of effort from you possible.
If you are returning an item due to buyer’s remorse: We’ll refund you for the price of the item less shipping, as long as you return it in its original box and in saleable condition.
Returns must be sent back within 14 days. Please return it in the original package, and we’ll issue an exchange or refund depending on the circumstances. Before you drop it back in the mail, email us with your name and order #, let us know the reason for the return, and we’ll issue an RMA (return merchandise authorization). Write the RMA number on the package, as this will make your refund as prompt as possible.
Sales Taxes
We are required to collect and remit sales tax in the following states. Remittance of any taxes on orders shipped outside of these states is the responsibility of the purchaser.
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Nevada
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington DC
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Excise Taxes
As you may know, certain states have recently begun to impose excise taxes on tobacco products sold by online retailers. Brandshopper LLC collects excise taxes on your purchases as required by law. Please note that such tobacco excise taxes are in addition to applicable sales or use taxes, if any.
Indiana
Effective July 1, 2023, the State of Indiana is imposing an excise tax on all tobacco products sold to Indiana customers. Cigars and pipe tobacco will be taxed at 24% of the wholesale purchase price. For more details on the Indiana excise tax, please review here.
Maryland
Effective October 1, 2019, the State of Maryland will be imposing an Excise Tax on all tobacco products sold by online retailers to Maryland customers. See Maryland House Bill 1301. Please note that this excise tax is in addition to the Maryland sales/use tax already imposed on tobacco products sold to Maryland customers.
The Maryland Excise Tax rate will differ depending on the type of tobacco product sold:
- Premium cigars will be taxed at 15% of the wholesale price.
- Pipe tobacco will be taxed at 30% of the wholesale price.
For more details on the Maryland Excise Tax, review the law here.
Michigan
Effective January 1, 2022, the State of Michigan is imposing an excise tax on all cigars sold to Michigan customers. Cigars are taxed at 32% of the wholesale price, with a maximum excise tax of fifty cents ($.50) per cigar.
For more details on the Michigan excise tax, please review here.
North Carolina
Effective July 1, 2022, the State of North Carolina is imposing an excise tax on all cigars and pipe tobacco sold to North Carolina customers. Cigars are taxed at 12.80% of the wholesale price, with a maximum excise tax of thirty cents ($.30) per cigar. Pipe Tobacco is taxed at 12.80% of the wholesale price.
For more details on the North Carolina excise tax, please review here.
Ohio
Effective October 16, 2019, the State of Ohio will be imposing an Excise Tax on all tobacco products delivered to Ohio customers. See Ohio Code 5743.62 Please note that this excise tax is in addition to the Ohio use tax already imposed on tobacco products delivered to Ohio customers.
The Ohio Excise Tax rate will differ depending on the type of tobacco product purchased:
- Most premium cigars (and all pipe tobacco) will be taxed at 17% of the wholesale price, with a maximum excise tax of sixty-one cents ($.61) per premium cigar.
- Most little cigars with a filter or tip will be taxed at 37% of the wholesale price.
For more details on the Ohio Excise Tax, review the law here.
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania imposes an excise tax on “small cigars” shipped to customers in Pennsylvania. Specifically, small cigars weighing 4lb per 1000 or less, not in carton packs, and not containing 20 to 25 sticks per pack are taxed at $0.13 per cigar. (Please note, we cannot ship to Pennsylvania customers any small cigars weighing 4lb per 1000 or less packed in cartons that contain 20 to 25 sticks per pack).
Loose or pipe tobacco is taxed at 55 cents ($0.55) per ounce, with a minimum excise tax of 66 cents ($0.66) per package.
Rather than pass the entire tax on to our customers, we have decided to charge only 30 cents ($0.30) per ounce. As a courtesy to our customers, Cigars International will pay the remaining 25 cents ($0.25) per ounce excise tax imposed by Pennsylvania.
South Dakota
Effective January 1, 2022, the State of South Dakota is imposing an excise tax of 32% of the wholesale price on all cigars shipped to customers in South Dakota. SD continues to prohibit the shipping of all other tobacco products.
For more details on the South Dakota excise tax, please review here.
Virginia
Effective July 1, 2022, the Commonwealth of Virginia is imposing an excise tax on all retail sales of cigars and pipe tobacco to Virginia customers. Cigars are taxed at 20% of the wholesale price, while pipe tobacco is taxed at 10% of the wholesale price.
For more details on the Virginia excise tax, please review here.
