Semois Pipe Tobacco: US Group Buy

[wisemanpipes]

Here's the real problem with this. What if we love the stuff? Damn!

A bigger group buy!

If I like it I'd be willing to place a really big order.

Ditto. This is really intended as an experimental taste. Having all of us participate saves shipping for each of us and we all get to try out a tobacco that is completely unavailable in the states.

If this stuff is fantastic, I'll definitely be ordering a lot more.

i second this. all opposed....no
motion passed! if we like it, we get more! ALOT MORE.
BOUCHONS FOR ALL!!!!!
-evan

[Massis]

I just thought of this yesterday, but what about taxes & legality of shipping tobacco? In most european countries it's illegal to import more than x amount of tobacco and you need to pay taxes if it's above 250gr...

What does the law specifiy on this in the US? I hear there's something called the PACT act?

Not that I trust ehow, but: http://www.ehow.com/facts_7575743_posta ... bacco.html

[d.huber]

I just thought of this yesterday, but what about taxes & legality of shipping tobacco? In most european countries it's illegal to import more than x amount of tobacco and you need to pay taxes if it's above 250gr...

What does the law specifiy on this in the US? I hear there's something called the PACT act?

Not that I trust ehow, but: http://www.ehow.com/facts_7575743_posta ... bacco.html

Great question, Massis. Knowing how hard people in Europe have been hit by taxes when they order tobacco from the US, I did a little digging. You can find the details in the OP, reposted here for convenience.

US import duty on pipe tobacco: $2.8311 per pound (source: http://www.ttb.gov/tax_audit/atftaxes.shtml)

[d.huber]

Pricing!

Fine Cut/Medium Cut/Thick Cut
100g (4oz) = $13.10
250g (10oz) = $32.74

Bouchons (box of 25) = $65.48

Here is the PDF guide for pipe tobacco and Bouchons: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B8-UXJF ... sp=sharing
Here is the PDF guide for cigar pricing: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B8-UXJF ... sp=sharing

Also updated the OP with this information.

PLEASE DO NOT SEND ME MONEY YET. Once we have a shipping estimate and a method of payment for Vincent I will contact each of you individually with your total and where to send it.

[Massis]

Who has to pay these taxes? I'm assuming it will be the receiving party having to pay?

Recently I ordered 280$ (+50$ shipping) worth of shaving equipment in the us, I had to pay €90 in taxes (=$120!)!

PS: your PDF links are incorrect...

[d.huber]

Who has to pay these taxes? I'm assuming it will be the receiving party having to pay?

Recently I ordered 280$ (+50$ shipping) worth of shaving equipment in the us, I had to pay €90 in taxes (=$120!)!

PS: your PDF links are incorrect...

I'll do a little more digging, but my understanding is that the recipient pays the taxes, which is why the amount will be split up among us. If it winds up being more than expected, I'll cover the difference.

PS - Fixed the links!

[scotties22]

The important this is the customs form. It must be clearly stated that this is "For Personal Use". The total value for each shipment also needs to be kept under $800 USD in order to be labeled as such. I have a feeling we might run into needing to make this order more than one shipment from Massis to Uber for this reason. "Gift" in this instance won't work. We are going to have to put as close to a real value as possible on the declaration.

[scotties22]

Oh, and we pay all duties and taxes before the shipment clears customs here. Unless it is specified on the Customs form that the Shipper is going to pay them they all defalt to the Consignee.

[Massis]

funny: his pricing says a box of bouchons is 25 pieces, but the box clearly contains just 20...

Prices are about what I remember them to be from when we ordered from Vincent with the dutch forum last year.
Seeing he's providing you with all needed information, I'm guessing he'll just ship straight to you guys in the US, as it'll cost him the same it would cost me.
The only difference is that his shipment would be a commercial one whilst mine would be a personal one.

As scottie stated, that might greatly deduce customs taxes for you guys. (and allow me to add my order to the list :-p )

[scotties22]

If you ship it to us it will save us all time and trouble getting it through customs for sure. Even if it is inspected a person to person shipment clears much more easily than a manufacturer to person shipment will.

I was in transportation for years.....done quite a few international shipments.

[d.huber]

I'd like to announce that since we are getting close to finalizing things, I will stop taking orders on Monday at noon. At that time, I will forward everyone their total.

Also, due to the large number of orders, I do not think it a good idea to use PayPal, at least when sending as a gift. Sending this many payments as a "gift" may set off suspicion and close down my account.

We can proceed 1 of two ways once the totals are in.

1. Funds can be sent to me as a payment using PayPal if everyone will cover the PayPal fee,
or
2. Everyone can mail me a check or money order.

I'm happy to accept either option and will work with each of you on an individual basis to ensure your preferences are met. Please respond to this thread or send me a PM with how you'd prefer to pay.

[d.huber]

Great info guys!

Manil will not ship to the United States and has expressly said so in a previous e-mail.

[Massis]

That'll probably ease the entire process and I'm quite sure the extra $15 in shipping costs (from Vincent to me, in the case I can't go and get it) won't make the difference split across all participants.

David: How are we going to work this out? Will I finalize the order with Vincent or do I order my bit through you and transfer my money to the US ?

Seeing as he doesn't ship, it's probably easiest if I finalize the order with him?

so everyone => David => Me => Vincent ?

[d.huber]

That'll probably ease the entire process and I'm quite sure the extra $15 in shipping costs (from Vincent to me, in the case I can't go and get it) won't make the difference split across all participants.

David: How are we going to work this out? Will I finalize the order with Vincent or do I order my bit through you and transfer my money to the US ?

Seeing as he doesn't ship, it's probably easiest if I finalize the order with him?

so everyone => David => Me => Vincent ?

I think the process should be

everyone => Me => Vincent => You

Transferring money is the biggest pain and costs us time. If I pay Manil directly it'll save us that time.

What would you like to order, btw?

[scotties22]

I think we should all split the cost of Massis's order for his time and trouble to get it to us. Seems like the right thing to do.

[d.huber]

I think we should all split the cost of Massis's order for his time and trouble to get it to us. Seems like the right thing to do.

Well geez, Scottie, I was getting to that!

I agree completely. Any dissenters?

Massis, let us know what you're after. Just don't buy the whole farm, please.

[wmolaw]

Here's the real problem with this. What if we love the stuff? Damn!

A bigger group buy!

If I like it I'd be willing to place a really big order.

Ditto. This is really intended as an experimental taste. Having all of us participate saves shipping for each of us and we all get to try out a tobacco that is completely unavailable in the states.

If this stuff is fantastic, I'll definitely be ordering a lot more.

That would be fantastic!

[Massis]

I just talked to my wife, she's ok with going down to Vincent's place and picking up the order. It'll be our baby boy's first big trip (he turned one 2 weeks ago and hasn't done any trips >1h)

That should save another 10-15€ in the total if Vincent doesn't have to ship to me


Edit: Thanks guys! Another proof why I love this community so much!
I'm only a smalltime smoker (<2 pipes a week), so I'll keep my order low just let me ponder it for a few hours, that is, if all participants agree!

[wmolaw]

I think we should all split the cost of Massis's order for his time and trouble to get it to us. Seems like the right thing to do.

Well geez, Scottie, I was getting to that!

I agree completely. Any dissenters?

Massis, let us know what you're after. Just don't buy the whole farm, please.

PM, or here?

I will take 500g of the rough cut tobacco and 10 or so bouchons.

No issues, with paying for whatever, all is good with me. Clearly, it will be a huge benefit to have Massis honcho this.

Just let me know how much and when. I can do check or paypal, your choice.

[scotties22]

Even if they don't.....we got you covered.