Quote Originally Posted by jaewing View Post
I would fight this.

First of all you should not have to prove a negative (that you didn't order cigars) by providing invoices of your purchases. They should have to prove that a tobacco purchase was made and that such a purchase was subject to a tax and that you failed to pay that tax.

Second, unless Thompsons (or any other online retailer) sent them copies of all of your purchases there would be no way to prove that you had actually purchased tobacco since most of these online stores sell non-tobacco products as well. Basing the tax on the weight of the package is pure BS . . . I knew I should not have ordered that marble ashtray.

Third there is a statute of limitation in most states for collection of taxes. I am not a tax attorney but I believe that here in the Tobacco Nazi Regime of California it is 10 years from the assessment of the tax.

I would be very interested to see where this goes.
First, thanks to all who have responded. I'm probably repeating myself, but here's what I was told:

It was UPS that provided the information. They didn't know what was in the packages they delivered, all they knew is that it was from Thompsons and the gov't assessed the tax upon the weight. When the guy's attorney asked them, "How do you know the packages didn't contain non tobacco products, like lighters or humidors?" The answer came back, "It doesn't matter." (Sounds a little like, "You have to prove your innocent.") However, in at least one on line store, there is a blip on one of the pages...in small print...that says the buyer is responsible for any taxes, etc.

I received an email from Atlantic today in regards to a question I sent a few days ago. It said, and I'm quoting: "We have a confidentiality agreement with all our customers. The states can ask for information about, but legally we do not have to provide it. You should
be fine ordering cigars online. I have not heard of anyone having any problems and we ship quite a bit to AK.

I'm still hoping that this was a rumor, but it's beginning to look like it is a rare, but possible scenario.