Cheap cigarettes and cigars

greenwich

I don't smoke a lot but like the odd cigar. I've noticed that there are lots of US websites that sell very cheap cigarettes and cigars by mail order. E.g. Anyone have any experience of these sites? If I buy from them, will Customs & Excise impound the stuff or charge me UK tobacco duty?

**EDITED by board guide i have removed the link from this post as we delete all links which are potentially illegal. We do not allow tobacco sites like the one posted on this board. Many Thanks ***

crossleydd42

That's the reason why they haven't taken off here. They come from outside the EU and attract Excise Duty and VAT! I suppose any within the EU would be okay, but I've not seen any on the web. Do a search, if you're interested.

speedyjoe

greenwich wrote:

I don't smoke a lot but like the odd cigar.

Be careful importing "odd" cigars into the UK could get you into a great deal of trouble ;-)

If you're after non-whacky baccy then be aware it's a very risky business. HM customs and Excise used to have an advice guide but it seems to have dissapeared. This link http://www.ash.org.uk/html/advspo/html/internetsales.html , though dated, has most of the stuff you need to know.

Joe

ManAtHome

Even those within the EU are illegal - you are allowed to bring in with you up to 3200 ciggies without (potentially) having to convince C&E that they are for your own use. If you live outside the UK (EU or rest of world) you are allowed to send presents of up to 50 ciggies to people residing in the UK. Most of the dodgy sites will pack in 40s in an attempt to get round the 'gift' exemption, but it's still illegal...

Alternative suggestion - if you smoke (like I do), take the opportunity to let 'uncle Gordon' pay for your hols in Spain or Greece (cheapest in the EU) by actually going there and bringing your ciggies back in with you.

mm66

i get my cigars from USA; one box at a time and even with duty it is far cheaper to get it from there rather than here. I got 300 cigar cedar wood humidor which was being sold here for £700 and it cost me incl duty and shipping charges £250. so well worth it.

Sarahsaver

i got some dodgy email spam from someone in spain selling cheap fags, so just switch off your email filter and then maybe you will get some similar. Its cheap enough to fly to europe these days. Save your money and give up smoking!

sickboyedd

I was a plum once and spent £50 on "tobacco from spain" (now dead, thank goodness, check google for drinksfromspain etc. to read up on other scams). Basically, they try get them in without paying duty, which makes them dead cheap. This gives the company an excuse for delayed delivery, so by the time you're certain they're not coming, your money is long gone!

I managed to reclaim my money as I used a credit card, but with the whole identity theft thing being so much more active nowadays, it's a huge risk and the credit card companies may not be so understanding anymore.

Get on a plane/ferry and take a day out to go buy some, I'm sure a few friends would pay for the trip if they knew you were going to return with some free cigs for them