That was during the time when a lot of online vendors in all markets also got a lot more diligent about charging and collecting customer‘s state sales and use taxes on all purchases. Most of the payment processing systems have been limited to sales taxes only, unless the vendor is also in the jurisdiction (for instance, Boswells hits PA customers with a 55 cent/oz. state surcharge, because Boswells is in PA). Are you in a sales tax + tobacco tax state? I’m very surprised any vendor would report an out of state customer on the latter, especially without notice.I haven't. I received a very generic letter from my state DOR saying report and pay your taxes on all mail order tobacco purchases. I called the revenue agent listed and she told me the purchase had been reported by Iwan Ries, the amount of the purchase, and the tax I owed on it. This was maybe 5 or 6 years ago. Haven't ordered from Iwan Ries since, and don't know if they still report purchases, but it made me wary.
Many of these vendors have been operating in a state of near fear for a long time now. They’re in the front lines of this war. It’s why nowadays, many vendors are increasingly just laying out up front the states they will no longer make sales to. I’ve dealt with the owner of IR and he seems a decent gentleman. But he should have noticed you in advance of the sale of these additional liabilities, and given you the chance to cancel the order. That you got ambushed later with it is bad form.