Customs rip off

[chainsnuser]

PP, actually the plants only need MUCH water (it's seemingly impossible to over-water them, but once they get slightly too little water they virtually stop to grow), MUCH sun and very little care. The Rustica plant just needed to be turned 180 degrees every day to prevent her from growing too much in one direction and topple over. In the last two weeks even that was no longer necessary. I even filled the wrong soil in the little bucket by mistake (special 'germination soil', almost free of nutriments, instead of potting soil)! We just had a very sunny April and beginning of May, that's all the secret. So, it's a myth that tobacco is hard to grow. I'm not sure how it will go outdoors, where the plants are exposed to wind, direct sun and especially the bugs and snails, which are real killers here, but these plants are really not as delicate as I thought. I guess everyone who loves tobacco should grow a plant, if only just for fun.

And yeah Craig, 'sehr hübsch' is maybe not enough, I think we can do better than that: she's a real Schönheit! ... but she's also damn hairy! :lol:

Cheers!

[Premium Parrots]

Yea that plant looks so hydrated that it might spring a leak. Does look great. My expertize is in growing another leafy smoking plant. But I'm too dam old to grow that now. However, I still consume the product. :wink:

[Craig de Tering]

And yeah Craig, 'sehr hübsch' is maybe not enough, I think we can do better than that: she's a real Schönheit! ... but she's also damn hairy! :lol:

Cheers!

Aha! In that case I'll cut the chase and call it like I see it in Dutch: "Het is een zeer lekker ding!"

Which is the same thing two men would comment to each other about a geiles girl walking by.

[chainsnuser]

Ik hou van mijn lekkere tabaksplant!

BTW, in the region of Berlin you could even say "geile Pflanze!", which is dead-on!

Cheers!

[chainsnuser]

Some new photos:

Rustica and Virginia:


Rustica's blossoms:


Virginia:


Of course, I didn't tell them, that their photos would get published on the internet!

Cheers!

[bruno]

Whaooo... Cool! ... Pretty nice !

[watchyoursix]

im surprised i havent had to deal with this in the united states......
weird

[screamcat]

So I thought I'd post again with some new importing experiences that might be beneficial for any Aussies on this board.

After getting 'caught out' and taxed after ordering five cans from buysnus.com, I did some research and saw some posts suggesting that Australians only order one can at a time to avoid getting fined by customs. I placed an order for a single can of general, this time from northerner.com.

While it took a lot longer to come (over two weeks), this time the Snus arrived in my mailbox untouched. I also noticed that Northerner did not write 'Swedish Snus' on the declaration from as buysnus.com did, so this may have helped too. Obviously this is a terribly inefficient way to get your Snus, but for those of us whose governments are a tad slow on recognising the health benefits of smokeless alternatives, it works.

I got cocky after that and ordered two cans, and this time the package came through (again after around two weeks) with a big sticker saying 'This package has been inspected by customs', and 'tobacco product' written on the sticker, but no fine! I don't really know what to make of that, maybe customs just couldn't be bothered chasing up four bucks worth of tobacco tax.

The moral to this long winded tale is: Ordering one or two cans at a time seems to be a way to avoid the customs fine, and while Northerner's prices and postage times may not be the greatest, their packages seem to have a better chance of getting through. Hope that helps any Australians looking for a solution to getting their Snus fix. I'm about to place an order for 3 cans (I know, I know, lets not get too crazy!) so if there's any interest I'll post and let everyone know how it goes.

[screamcat]

You got off real easy, i got a bill here from yesterday from customs, for 4 cans of general white... $34.58!!!
Thats over $8 a can!!!
Lucky you. I've found that 2 and 1 can orders get through most of the time here in sydney, but had a couple pulled up. It sucks here down under

Sorry didn't see your post until after I posted. That sucks mate, bad luck indeed. It's very strange the lack of consistency in enforcing the fines i.e. my first package of 5 cans was taxed less than half your 4 can package, and my package of two cans was opened and inspected but no fine was issued. Weird stuff.

[xbeejx]

So how did you guy screamcat, did it get in?
This country seriously sucks, it is a total police state, I cant wait till I move to Berlin next year and flip the bird to these tyrannical pricks that run this country

[surfing_64]

I've just given up on trying to get around the customs now, buysnus.com were fantastic with me and shipped in 1s, 2s and up to 5s (and send in 5s now) tp try and get around paying bills. so when i order i just know how much the bill will be, so i just pay it. Snus is too good to complain about a bit of tax. And since i slipped up the other day and had a ciggie i know that they taste like shit! and i love snus too much to not order.

[xbeejx]

I was going to get a swedish mate to send some marked as a gift, asked customs first, got this reply. utter utter bastards

thank you for your email.

From 1 October 2008 the Gift Concession will no longer exist. I have attached Australian Customs Notice ACN 2008/43 - Revocation of Gift Concession for your info.

All imported tobacco will attract duty of A$318.14 per kilo.

10% GST also applies. It is calculated on the purchase price plus the duty plus the overseas freight and insurance costs.

If you import more than 1.5 kg's of snuff or chewing tobacco you will need to organise an import permit from the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer.


Regards,

Sue Vivian
Information Officer
Customs Information & Support Centre
AUSTRALIAN CUSTOMS SERVICE

[RobsanX]

^^^ Bend over... :roll:

[Premium Parrots]

I was going to get a swedish mate to send some marked as a gift, asked customs first, got this reply. utter utter bastards

thank you for your email.

From 1 October 2008 the Gift Concession will no longer exist. I have attached Australian Customs Notice ACN 2008/43 - Revocation of Gift Concession for your info.

All imported tobacco will attract duty of A$318.14 per kilo.

10% GST also applies. It is calculated on the purchase price plus the duty plus the overseas freight and insurance costs.

If you import more than 1.5 kg's of snuff or chewing tobacco you will need to organise an import permit from the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer.


Regards,

Sue Vivian
Information Officer
Customs Information & Support Centre
AUSTRALIAN CUSTOMS SERVICE

so whats the tax on vaseline?

[surfing_64]

Theres no need for vaso here in australia, the gov f&%ks you over too many times to need it anymore haha.