Skruf Availability Post-Pact Start and Summer Shipping ?s

[bbass]

I don't get out here much, sorry if this is common knowledge, but does anyone know definitively if Skruf (specifically Skruf Stark Los) will be available in US once pact kicks in?. I thought I had seen on here in a past thread that it would definitely be available in US, but just yesterday I received an email newsletter from another place stating that "Skruf brand snus will no longer be available in the United States" after pact starts.

Also, I usually order plenty during cooler months to prevent having to order in the Summer, but if I have to put in a big Skruf Order now...I generally order from GetSnus (haven't since it changed hands), and gets to my location in 3-4 days...next week looks to be a week of > 90 degree days, is there any concern about quality degradation spending that much time in a hot truck?

Thank you for any enlightenment.

[Anthony]

Larry got in touch with Skruf last month:
http://www.snuscentral.org/snusnus/m...ish-match.html

"What Jesper did confirm was the one thing I hoped he wouldn't. skruf Snus AB has not submitted product information and ingredients to FDA as required for a tobacco product to be registered and available for sale legally within the United States after June 22nd."

[Guest]

A bit OT but from reading that article I don't like the sound of putting less snus in each portion as that will lower the nic dosage Would rather they just put less portions in the tin or something.


Edit - From what I've heard this is true, less snus per portion, so look out for the new Skruf Not-So-Large portions

[tom502]

I agree, that is odd to lower the amount in the portion. Seems it would be easier as well, to just knock it back to 22, or 20 per can.

[bbass]

Thank you for your replies. Here is a portion of the response I received to basically the same question I posed to "Contact Us" on GetSnus:

"We will still be shipping snus after Pact Act.....The manufacturers we know for sure will sell in the US are Skruf, Swedish Match, V2 Tobacco, TillCe, and Gotlandssnus."

[bipolarbear1968]

TillCe??? Oh hell no! Snap!

[PipenSnus]

Thank you for your replies. Here is a portion of the response I received to basically the same question I posed to "Contact Us" on GetSnus:

"We will still be shipping snus after Pact Act.....The manufacturers we know for sure will sell in the US are Skruf, Swedish Match, V2 Tobacco, TillCe, and Gotlandssnus."

There does seem to be a discrepancy between what Larry at SnusCentral is saying, and what GetSnus/Northerner is saying. I'm hoping Northerner is correct, since they're telling us more brands will be available.

[danielan]

There does seem to be a discrepancy between what Larry at SnusCentral is saying, and what GetSnus/Northerner is saying. I'm hoping Northerner is correct, since they're telling us more brands will be available.

What is the discrepency?

If it is Tillce - I think only Northerner carries them right now. (Oomph, etc).

[PipenSnus]

What is the discrepency?

Larry at SnusCentral says Skruf products won't be available in the US post-PACT. He claims he spoke with Imperial Tobacco by phone.

[lxskllr]

Larry at SnusCentral says Skruf products won't be available in the US post-PACT. He claims he spoke with Imperial Tobacco by phone.

Northerner says FDA requirements don't apply to snus :^D

I guess we'll find out soon enough, eh?

[PipenSnus]

Northerner says FDA requirements don't apply to snus :^D

I guess we'll find out soon enough, eh?

Let's just hope that Northerner and Imperial don't find out by having a crateload of product confiscated at the port of entry.

[Joe234]

I read somewhere that Skruf was going to have an American product tour.
How will they do that with no product?

[danielan]

Larry at SnusCentral says Skruf products won't be available in the US post-PACT. He claims he spoke with Imperial Tobacco by phone.

I thought the status on Skruf was that they were missing the deadline, but committed to the market. That they just needed a couple more months.

[PipenSnus]

Hmm... I went back and re-read the article at SnusCentral. Actually, it's worded very mysteriously, and I discovered I misquoted it. Larry reports that Jesper Svensson of Skruf AB (which is a subsidiary of Imperial Tobacco), said that Skruf has not submitted the required information to the FDA. However, Mr. Svensson said (according to Larry) "that Imperial Tobacco and skruf Snus were hopeful Americans would be able to continue enjoying skruf snus after June 22nd". So maybe Skruf is thinking also that the FDA requirements will not have to be met. Perhaps they know of a legal challenge to PACT which has not been announced to the public yet.

So I stand corrected.

[lxskllr]

Here's Northerner's take...

Here is our latest answer from our Washington lawyer which means we will still be able to ship brands not listed at FDA:

1. FDA Registration and Listing Questions

Under FDA’s current guidance, which will likely be applicable until FDA promulgates regulations relating to foreign establishments, Northerner is not required to register or list its products with FDA because it does not own or operate a domestic tobacco manufacturing establishment. In its November 2009 guidance on registration and listing (attached), FDA clearly stated, “Registration and product listing requirements apply only to those persons who own or operate domestic establishments engaged in manufacturing tobacco products; an importer who does not own or operate such an establishment is not subject to the requirements of section 905(b) or section 905(i) of the act.”

We recognize that, as you noted, the FFDCA’s general definition of “tobacco product manufacturer” includes importers. However, the registration and listing requirements apply only to the narrower category of establishments engaged in the “manufacture, preparation, compounding, or processing” of tobacco or tobacco products. Manufacturing includes repackaging or otherwise changing the container, wrapper, or labeling of any tobacco product package; however, we understand that the labeling done by Northerner takes place outside the US and therefore would not be considered domestic manufacturing. Because Northerner’s U.S. subsidiary imports but does not actually manufacture tobacco products, neither Northerner nor its U.S. subsidiary is currently required to register with FDA or submit product lists.

Finally, while section 905(h) of the FFDCA requires owners and operators of foreign establishments engaged in the manufacture, preparation, compounding, or processing of tobacco or tobacco products to register their these facilities with FDA “under regulations promulgated by the Secretary,” and section 905(i)(1) requires foreign registrants to file product lists, FDA has not promulgated foreign establishment registration regulations and has indicated that it will not enforce these requirements with respect to foreign establishments. Until FDA promulgates applicable regulations, Northerner will not have to register its foreign establishments or submit product lists.


Sincerely,
Frank

http://www.snuson.com/forum/showthre...Pact-Act/page2