A smoker who buys tobacco online says he pays 80 per cent less than purchasing the same product in Australia – and claims he would still do it even if it was illegal.
Graeme, surname withheld, uses the Ciggies World website to buy roll-your-own tobacco over the internet, which is shipped from Indonesia.
He told Daily Mail Australia he was spending $70 per week on 150g of tobacco – but now he was paying $14 for 250g.
‘I’ve ordered from the website dozens of times – I’ve only bought three packets of cigarettes in Australia since August,’ he said.
‘I declare it as tobacco with customs when I buy it. Customs get it some of the time.
A smoker who buys tobacco online says he pays 80 per cent less than purchasing the same product in Australia – and claims he would still do it even if it was illegal
Smokers use the Ciggies World website to buy roll-your-own tobacco over the internet, which is shipped from Indonesia (stock image)
‘They send a letter telling you how much duty is, and that if you don’t pay it the package will be considered abandoned.’
Graeme said despite having ‘about 30 per cent’ of his orders opened by customs the low price still made it worthwhile.
He said high prices in Australia forced him to look for the product elsewhere.
‘Once it went over $50 I thought I’m not paying their prices. They’re treating us with contempt, it’s totally unfair. They’re robbing us blind.
‘If they make it illegal, I’ll become a criminal. I’ll still buy it overseas.’
He said the product is always delivered in good condition, and he has purchased both roll-your-own tobacco and pre-rolled cigarettes using the website.
Payment is made via bank transfer to an Australian bank account, and the product usually arrives within 30 days.
‘It’s legit. There’s better quality and more variety [on the website].’
The website Ciggies World lists hundreds of different tobacco products for sale at cheaper-than-usual cost.
A packet of Marlboro Gold cigarettes retails for about $30 in Australia, but on the Ciggies World website a pack of 20 can be bought for $4.
Although the prices are comparatively cheaper, smokers face waiting more than a month before receiving their cigarettes – with a risk they may be forced to pay unexpected taxes.
The website Ciggies World lists hundreds of different tobacco products for sale at cheaper-than-usual cost
A packet of Marlboro Gold cigarettes retails for about $30 in Australia, but on the Ciggies World website a pack of 20 can be bought for $4
The site also sells Chinese, clove and flavoured cigarettes – including milkshake, mojito and tiramisu (stock image)
The site also sells Chinese, clove and flavoured cigarettes – including milkshake, mojito and tiramisu.
Ciggies World promises to ship products across the world. The website has a Swiss domain country code but is hosted in Sydney.
Shipping costs vary given the location. Shipping to Australia is either $7 or $25, for non-traceable or traceable delivery.
Customers are warned they are ‘choosing at their own risk’ by selecting non-traceable delivery, which means they will be unable to find out how long they will have to wait for their tobacco.
Traceable delivery costing $25 takes between 15-35 days and is ‘very likely to get taxed’.
Customers can buy a carton of cigarettes by selecting 10 packs, and payment instructions are sent once an order has been completed.
Ciggies World promises to ship products across the world. The website has a Swiss domain country code, but is hosted in Sydney
Australia is the most expensive place in the world to buy cigarettes, with the average cost soaring to nearly $40 a packet.
Treasurer Scott Morrison announced smokers would be slugged even more for a pack of cigarettes on September 1 this year, in the second of four consecutive 12.5 per cent tobacco excise hikes.
The tax hike is expected to result in aprice increase of about $3 for a typical packet.
Last year, the price of 30 Winfield Blues jumped $2.70 from $32.50 to $35.20.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Australia Border Force and Federal Police for comment.
Treasurer Scott Morrison announced smokers would be slugged even more for a pack of cigarettes on September 1 this year