Shipping Policy
Last updated: June 19, 2025
Address Matching, State Shipping Restrictions & Fraud Prevention Policy
At CIGARS IMPERIUM Inc., we take pride in providing our customers with premium cigars while maintaining the highest standards of integrity, security, and compliance with federal and state laws. Because the sale and shipment of tobacco products are subject to strict regulations, and due to the increased risk of payment fraud in the online cigar industry, this policy outlines our rules governing address matching, order verification, and fraud prevention.
This policy applies to all online purchases made through www.imperiumcigars.com and is designed to protect both the customer and our business from unauthorized transactions and regulatory violations.
1. Purpose and Scope
The purpose of this policy is to prevent unauthorized purchases, fraudulent use of credit cards, and unlawful shipments of tobacco products. Cigars Imperium Inc. is committed to complying with the requirements of the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) Act, all applicable state tobacco laws, and the payment security standards imposed by credit-card processors and financial institutions.
This policy applies to all customers, transactions, and shipments conducted through our website, regardless of order amount or destination, but includes enhanced verification measures for higher-risk orders and states with shipping restrictions.
2. Mandatory Address Matching Requirement
2.1 Orders of $200 or more:
All orders with a total value of Two Hundred U.S. dollars (USD $200) or greater require that the billing address and shipping address match exactly, including street name, city, state, postal or ZIP code, and country.
2.2 Purpose of Address Matching:
Matching addresses allow our payment processor to confirm that the person placing the order is the authorized cardholder. This verification, known as the Address Verification System (AVS), helps prevent stolen-card transactions and ensures compliance with financial security standards.
2.3 Orders with Non-Matching Addresses:
If the addresses do not match, the order will automatically be placed on hold. Our fraud-prevention team will attempt to verify the order through email or phone contact. If verification cannot be completed, the order may be cancelled and refunded.
2.4 High-Risk Orders:
Even if the total is under $200, CIGARS IMPERIUM Inc. may require address matching or additional verification for:
- First-time customers
- Large quantity or high-value purchases
- Expedited or international shipments
- Orders flagged by internal risk-scoring systems
3. Verification Procedures
To maintain the integrity of all transactions, CIGARS IMPERIUM Inc. uses the following verification systems:
3.1 Address Verification Service (AVS):
The billing address is verified directly with the card-issuing bank. If the address or ZIP code fails to match, the order may be placed on hold or declined.
3.2 CVV/CVC Verification:
We require the three- or four-digit security code found on the card to confirm that the buyer has the physical card at the time of purchase.
3.3 Manual Review:
If our system flags an order as high-risk, CIGARS IMPERIUM Inc. may request:
- A valid government-issued ID showing name and address.
- Confirmation from the cardholder’s issuing bank.
- A signed authorization form verifying the transaction.
Failure to comply with verification requests will result in cancellation and refund of the order.
3.4 Fraud Screening and Device Analysis:
Our system uses advanced fraud detection tools that evaluate IP address, device fingerprinting, geolocation data, and prior transaction history to identify potential fraudulent behavior.
4. Consequences of Address Mismatch or Failed Verification
4.1 Orders with mismatched billing and shipping addresses will not be processed until verification is completed.
4.2 If verification is not achieved within a reasonable timeframe, the order will be cancelled and payment will be refunded.
4.3 Customers who repeatedly attempt to submit mismatched or unverifiable orders may have their account suspended or permanently deactivated.
4.4 Fraudulent attempts may be reported to the card issuer, payment processor, and relevant authorities.
5. State Shipping Restrictions
5.1 Due to state tobacco-control laws, CIGARS IMPERIUM Inc. does not ship cigars or any tobacco products to the following U.S. states or jurisdictions:
- Utah
- Hawaii
- South Dakota
- Maryland
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Vermont
- Washington State
- Alaska (certain restricted areas)
5.2 Orders placed with shipping addresses located in the states listed above will be automatically cancelled and refunded.
5.3 CIGARS IMPERIUM Inc. reserves the right to expand or modify this list at any time to comply with changing state or federal laws, or to maintain compliance with carrier restrictions.
5.4 Certain states may allow limited tobacco shipments subject to specific conditions such as age verification, excise-tax reporting, or adult signature upon delivery. CIGARS IMPERIUM Inc. adheres to all such conditions as required by law.
6. Adult Signature & Legal Compliance
6.1 In accordance with the PACT Act and carrier regulations, all shipments containing cigars or tobacco products require an Adult Signature (21+) upon delivery.
6.2 Customers are responsible for ensuring that someone of legal age is available to sign for the package at the delivery address.
6.3 CIGARS IMPERIUM Inc. complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws concerning the sale, packaging, and distribution of tobacco products.
6.4 Orders that cannot be delivered due to signature unavailability may be returned to sender, and additional shipping fees may apply.
7. Fraudulent Transactions
7.1 Submitting false information, unauthorized card use, or misrepresentation of address details constitutes fraud.
7.2 CIGARS IMPERIUM Inc. reserves the right to immediately cancel any order suspected of fraudulent activity and to report the information to the proper authorities and payment processors.
7.3 Fraudulent orders may result in civil and criminal penalties under applicable law.
7.4 Any customer or entity found to have engaged in fraudulent activity may be permanently banned from placing future orders.
8. Refunds and Cancellations Related to Verification or Restrictions
8.1 Orders cancelled due to address mismatch, failed verification, or prohibited state shipping will be refunded to the original payment method.
8.2 Refunds may take up to 7–10 business days depending on the issuing bank.
8.3 CIGARS IMPERIUM Inc.is not responsible for banking fees, foreign exchange costs, or delays caused by the customer’s financial institution.
9. Data Protection and Privacy
9.1 All information collected during order verification is used solely for fraud prevention, payment processing, and legal compliance.
9.2 Verification documents (such as IDs or authorizations) are handled securely and retained only as long as necessary under applicable laws and financial regulations.
9.3 Customer data is encrypted, stored safely, and never sold or shared with unauthorized third parties.
9.4 CIGARS IMPERIUM Inc. follows strict internal privacy standards consistent with industry best practices and applicable data-protection laws.
10. Customer Responsibilities
10.1 By placing an order, customers agree to provide accurate and truthful information, and to comply with this policy.
10.2 Customers affirm that they are the authorized cardholder or have full permission to use the payment method provided.
10.3 Customers acknowledge that their order will be subject to cancellation if address matching, verification, or legal shipping requirements are not met.
10.4 Customers may not use forwarding services, proxy addresses, or alternate destinations to bypass shipping restrictions or verification requirements.
11. Policy Enforcement and Updates
11.1 CIGARS IMPERIUM Inc. reserves the right to refuse or cancel any order at its discretion, for reasons including—but not limited to—suspected fraud, regulatory restrictions, or address discrepancies.
11.2 This policy may be revised or updated at any time to reflect changes in law, banking standards, or internal procedures.
11.3 Continued use of the CIGARS IMPERIUM Inc. website and completion of any purchase constitute acceptance of the most current version of this policy.
12. Contact Information
For questions regarding verification, address requirements, or shipping eligibility, please contact:
Email: sell@imperiumcigars.com
Phone: +1 (561) 603-9801
Disclaimer:
This policy is intended to provide transparency, promote lawful commerce, and prevent fraudulent transactions. It does not constitute legal advice. CIGARS IMPERIUM Inc. reserves the right to refuse service or shipment to any location where tobacco sales or deliveries are prohibited by law.
CIGARS IMPERIUM INC.