The Vape Shipping Ban and Alternatives to Vape Delivery

The vaping and e-cigarette industry is a growing sector in the United States, and producers and distributors of vape products need a reliable vape delivery partner. According to Grand View Research, the vape market was worth USD 6.09 billion in 2020, and it is expected to grow at 27.3% in the next few years. With more and more people choosing vaping products over traditional cigarettes, the market is poised to reach more people. 

But, with the introduction of the Consolidated Appropriations Act last year, the vaping industry has been thrust into disarray. Effective April 27, 2021, the United States Postal Service (USPS) is stepping down from shipping vape products across the United States. Other major delivery companies are also following suit, including FedEx, UPS and DHL. This has cast an air of uncertainty over the future of the vape industry and vape delivery options, but various small vape delivery companies are rising up to the challenge. 

Why is vape delivery being banned?

Vaping products are one of the better ways to offset tobacco addiction. Smoking e-cigarettes is less harmful than traditional ones. Despite seeing a continued rise, the vape industry came to a halt in 2020 because of EVALI. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified EVALI as a lung injury related to vaping. After 68 reported deaths, CDC started researching the role of vaping products in causing EVALI. 

In the latter part of last year, it finally came to light that vitamin E acetate was the main culprit and the mere act of vaping is not the primary reason. The people who died of EVALI used counterfeit products containing vitamin E acetate and THC. But the dominant sentiment was against vaping and old reports of rising teen vaping were clubbed with it to put the final nail on the coffin. 

What are the rules of the new vape ban?

On December 27, 2020, the “Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act,” was passed into law by former President Donald Trump, leaving the vaping industry in total chaos. The new law references the modified “Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act” (PACT Act) that now includes e-cigarettes and vaping products to the list. 

The list broadly includes all kinds of Electronic Nicotine Delivery System or ENDS that have the potential to deliver nicotine to the inhaler. This includes however not limited to e-cigarettes, vapes, vaporizers, electronic smoking devices, e-hookahs, e-cigars, and tank systems. The law forbids USPS to not only ship ENDS but also accessories or different parts of the devices, THC and CBD vape pens. 

According to the PACT Act, the sellers who collaborate with private vape carriers need to follow a strict set of guidelines in order to deliver vaping products. The rules include 

• Registering with the US Attorney General
• Age verification of the recipient
• Collecting an adult’s signature during delivery
• Registering the sellers with the federal and local tax authorities
• Collecting applicable local and state taxes
• Sending of delivery and customer details to the tax departments of the states
• Retaining records of PACT Act violations for 5 years

The new laws effectively tighten the screw around the vape industry and small players are at the risk of shutting down their businesses. 

Where do the major vape delivery companies stand?

Following the new developments, the shipping of such products has become challenging and the overly complicated steps threaten to strain the resources of the carriers. The major vaping product delivery companies have now responded to this change. 

DHL

DHL was one of the first major delivery companies to ban the shipping of vape products to consumers and businesses. The company has categorically stopped shipping nicotine products, e-liquids, vape tanks, and e-cigarettes even before the law is expected to come into effect in the latter part of April. 

FedEx

FedEx has also decided to stop delivering products related to vaping and e-smoking. FedEx states “Even if you have proper licenses and are authorized to ship tobacco products, we will be unable to accept your shipment. Tobacco and all tobacco products cannot be accepted at any FedEx or FedEx Office location.”

FedEx has stopped shipping such products from March 1, 2021. Here’s the complete list of banned products  –

• Cigarettes 
• Cigars
• Loose tobacco 
• Smokeless tobacco 
• Hooka or shisha
• Vaporizers 
• E-cigarettes

UPS

The United Parcel Service (UPS) is one of the newest carriers that have put a blanket ban on vaping products from April 5, 2021. 

On the website, the company mentions that “UPS no longer accepts for U.S. domestic shipment, including import and export into or from the U.S., any Vaping Product, including but not limited to e-cigarette devices and e-liquids or gels, regardless of nicotine content, even if a Shipper or consignee is permitted to ship and receive Vaping Products under applicable laws or regulations.”

With all the big companies quickly making changes to adhere to the new law, it leaves retail stores, online sellers, and small manufacturing companies in a precarious situation. The vaping and e-cigarette industry needs to look for shipping alternatives to deliver their products. Regional delivery companies like IntelliQuick are poised to be a solution and vape delivery partner. 

IntelliQuick – Vape delivery in the Southwest 

IntelliQuick has been fulfilling delivery demands for over two decades. From Phoenix to Tucson to Las Vegas and Denver, the wide network of IntelliQuick service areas ship a large number of products each day. It is both large enough to stand up to diverse challenges and small enough to care for the smallest of requirements. 

Vape smoke and tobacco delivery

Vape businesses need delivery partners who can ship products seamlessly. Over the years, IntelliQuick has developed a delivery infrastructure that ideally fits the delivery needs for vape and tobacco products. 

When it comes to vape, tobacco, and e-cigarette delivery, fast is the name of the game. IntelliQuick has three fast delivery options for vape products 

• Same day vape delivery
• Next day vape delivery
• Afternoon vape delivery

Each package of vape products can be customized for safe and smooth delivery. The chain of custody provided by IntelliQuick helps small vape businesses rest easy. 

Last mile fulfillment for vape delivery

For manufacturing and shipping companies, last mile delivery can pose a real headache. The last mile is the final leg of the shipping process where the product reaches the customer’s door. This step is often disturbed by complicated delivery status and inefficient tracking updates. In this day and age of on-demand services, the goal to expedite delivery has become all the more important. 

IntelliQuick addresses the issue with an infrastructure developed with the best technology. The digital DNA helps it fulfill the last mile delivery, faster and smarter than anyone in the Southwest. 

From process management tools, optimized routes to a large fleet of delivery vehicles and manpower, IntelliQuick possesses the resources to answer the last mile question. 

Cross-docking

Cross-docking service helps companies save money on shipping costs while making sure the end-users receive the products faster at the same time. Cross-docking features an efficient system where inbound freight arrives at the docking facility where it is labeled, sorted, and prepared to be shipped to another distribution point or last mile customer. The outbound vehicles take care of the delivery. 

Cross-docking minimizes human interaction with packages and significantly expedites the delivery process. Since the need to extensively use warehouse storage is avoided, companies save a considerable amount of money. 

IntelliQuick offers state-of-the-art cross-docking services for businesses. Features like Advance Shipment Notifications (ASN), overs/shortage/damage reports (OSD), and real-time scanning and documentation of returns streamline the logistics. An army of drivers and vehicles, equipped with technology makes sure the products reach their destination on time. IntelliQuick’s cross-docking facilities in Phoenix, Tucson, Las Vegas, and Albuquerque serve the entire Southwest with utmost priority.

Warehouse management

Not all businesses can include full-fledged warehouses in their supply chain and logistics departments. But that doesn’t stop the need for urgent warehouse space to store and ship frequent products to customers. IntelliQuick takes care of this issue by providing extensive warehouse management and fulfillment services. You can use IntelliQuick facilities to warehouse products or parts and quickly ship them as on-demand services. Locally storing products can help businesses serve their customers better and save money. 

IntelliQuick offers a computerized inventory system, breakdown of shipments, and pick and pack for fast delivery. This enables smooth retail and e-commerce fulfillment for small businesses. With 100,000 square feet of warehouse storage spread across Phoenix, Tucson, Las Vegas, and Denver, IntelliQuick has bolstered the Southwest’s delivery network. 

Secure document delivery

A lot of businesses around the Western US need to deliver sensitive financial documents on an urgent basis. We understand the risks you might be exposing yourself to by going with an inexperienced delivery partner. IntelliQuick offers specialized financial couriers, chain of custody, online tracking, and barcode verifications so that all types of financial documents and packages are delivered quickly and securely. 

Specialized freight services

Companies often need to transport less than truckload (LTL) in critical situations. IntelliQuick provides specialized freight services ready to handle your specific needs. We have pallets, pallet jacks, lift gates, and boxing materials to overcome stairs and county-wide distances. 

With IntelliQuick, you can enjoy less than truckload (LTL) freight shipping, critical freight services, and local and long-distance freight delivery. 

Twice daily routed service

A lot of local businesses are looking to use affordable methods to optimize business operations. If your business requires daily or twice-daily local distribution, IntelliQuick can help. 

We offer routing of deliveries with the time and date scheduled by you. This way, frequent local distributions of medicines, mechanical parts, and bank documents can be achieved without shelling out too much money. The scheduled routing service on a 24-hour basis is available throughout Arizona.

Value-added services

A comprehensive delivery solution that meets the demands of the Southwest is not easy to devise. But IntelliQuick is hard at work to provide a fast and seamless service that adds value to the network. 

From electronic advanced shipment notifications (EASNs), and real-time mail confirmation to GPS tracking, we infuse technology at the heart of our services. IntelliQuick couriers are armed with an all-in-one Enterprise Digital Assistant. This is a combination of cell phone, two-way radio, barcode scanner, digital camera, and mobile computer in a single handheld device. 

Despite boasting a sound technological infrastructure, IntelliQuick relies on the people to fulfill the deliveries each day. Our fleet of drivers, technicians, and warehouse managers are trained with the best practices and coupled with determination, they surely get the job done within the deadlines. 

IntelliQuick is also audited by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and boasts SAS 70 Type II certification for upholding the highest integrity of internal management systems. 

Benefits of smaller, independent delivery partners 

While the major players are giving vape delivery a miss, it’s a good time to turn towards the smaller, independent delivery partners. There are a lot of benefits of using independent vape delivery partners. 

Faster vape delivery

Independent, local delivery partners like IntelliQuick have an optimized network and a team ready to get to work for you. For vaping product delivery, time plays a crucial role. Most customers expect their products as soon as possible. With IntelliQuick, this can happen. 

We have a technology-based chain that can deliver products throughout the western U.S. the very next day of placing the orders. But we understand it still may not be fast enough for a lot of people seeking vape products. That’s why IntelliQuick has same-day rush services. With the Have It Today or H.I.T program, buyers can have the product within the same day. H.I.T enables retailers to provide superior service to their customers. It is categorized into three tiers –

• Faster: 1 hour or less
• Better: 2 hours or less
• Smarter: 4 hours or less

Just get in touch with IntelliQuick to discuss your package and charge. 

Affordable delivery options

Most independent, small delivery partners offer financially viable options in comparison to bigger vape delivery companies. IntelliQuick started the trend of automating deliveries in the Southwest and to this day, we lead the way. 

Experimental technology offers cost-effective options to sellers. From tracking to communication and management, technological solutions have paved the way for smooth and hassle-free deliveries. As a first-time user, you stand to receive free last mile delivery as well. With IntelliQuick, you pay less for more. 

Better customer service for vape delivery

Independent delivery partners like IntelliQuick provide unbeatable customer service. You can’t simply get this level of customized, and sincere responses from others. 

A major reason behind superior customer service is that IntelliQuick is small enough to be able to care for each individual’s needs and work to solve any issues that may appear during or after the delivery. 

If you’re looking forward to delivering your vaping products to the Southwestern part of the United States, IntelliQuick is the vape shipping company you need to get in touch with today.