USPS Issues PACT Act Tobacco Mailing Rules
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is gearing up to implement the provisions of the PACT Act, which prohibits the mailing of cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco and smokeless tobacco.
USPS will attempt to publish a final rule effective June 29, 2010, which covers the general non-mailability provisions of the PACT Act, according to a report by the National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO). The proposed rule states that these tobacco products cannot be mailed in the continental United States, and if deposited into the mail, they are subject to seizure and forfeiture, while the sender is subject to criminal fines, imprisonment and civil penalties.
One exception, however, are cigars, which can continue to be mailed. There is also an exception to allow tobacco products to be mailed within Alaska and Hawaii.
USPS also concluded that cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco and smokeless tobacco cannot be handled through the U.S. Mail, either outbound to international destinations or inbound from international locations.
According to the notice, which was cited by NATO: "The Postal Service does not believe that any alternative exists at this time to allow U.S. mailers to tender cigarettes and smokeless tobacco as outbound international mail or to receive them as inbound international mail under the PACT Act's exceptions."
USPS will attempt to publish a final rule effective June 29, 2010, which covers the general non-mailability provisions of the PACT Act, according to a report by the National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO). The proposed rule states that these tobacco products cannot be mailed in the continental United States, and if deposited into the mail, they are subject to seizure and forfeiture, while the sender is subject to criminal fines, imprisonment and civil penalties.
One exception, however, are cigars, which can continue to be mailed. There is also an exception to allow tobacco products to be mailed within Alaska and Hawaii.
USPS also concluded that cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco and smokeless tobacco cannot be handled through the U.S. Mail, either outbound to international destinations or inbound from international locations.
According to the notice, which was cited by NATO: "The Postal Service does not believe that any alternative exists at this time to allow U.S. mailers to tender cigarettes and smokeless tobacco as outbound international mail or to receive them as inbound international mail under the PACT Act's exceptions."