Importer

The law requires that anyone who wishes to import tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, snuff, pipe tobacco, roll your own tobacco) into the United States for business purposes must first obtain this permit.

Wondering how to get started as a tobacco importer? Visit our industry startup guide: Getting Started in TTB-Regulated Industry. Have a permit to operate in the tobacco industry and looking for next steps? See our industry compliance guide: Maintaining Compliance in a TTB-Regulated Business.

Getting Started

To apply for a permit, you must submit an application and the required documentation. We encourage you to use Permits Online to file your original and amended applications with us for FREE! With Permits Online, we can process your application more quickly. Avoid delay in processing your applications by seeing our permit application Q&As about frequently overlooked items.

Read the brief introductory information letter before submitting your application. This letter describes TTB’s requirements to manufacture tobacco products and provides a printable checklist so you can track the steps of the application process as they are completed.

Key Tobacco Manufacturer Topics

	Types of Permits Packets for manufacturers of tobacco products and processed tobacco. You can apply online!		Tobacco Laws and Regulations Public guidance including FAQs, procedures, rulings and industry circulars
	Requirements for Manufacturers Information explaining the requirements you must meet to maintain your business		Bonds and Consents of Surety Bond forms, approved surety companies, purchasing a security for a collateral bond
	Taxes Tax rates and due dates, Pay.gov and help with filing and preparing excise tax returns		Submission of Tobacco Samples How and where to send your tobacco samples, and TTB’s  Methods and procedures

Top Questions about the Tobacco Industry 

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