The vape industry has been dealt a serious blow with all the major of delivery partners deciding to not ship vaping products in the coming days. While the United States Postal Service (USPS) stopped delivering e-cigarettes and vape products on April 27, 2021, other carriers have already stopped shipping them, including FedEx, DHL, and UPS. Leaving the vape industry in need of reliable alternatives for vape courier and shipping services.
Why aren’t the major partners shipping vape products?
The Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act (PACT Act) has been recently amended to include all kinds of vaping products. As a result, e-cigarettes, e-cigars, e-hookahs, vapes, and other Electronic Nicotine Delivery System or ENDS and parts of these products are now forbidden to be delivered through USPS.
The private vape courier services that continue to ship these products will need to comply with stricter guidelines, which also threatens to increase the cost of resources to deliver the products to customers.
FedEx is already following the new law since March of 2021. Along with listing out all the products that they cannot be shipped, stating “even if you have proper licenses and are authorized to ship tobacco products” .
DHL was one of the earliest shippers to stop delivering vaping products and UPS has now joined the trend. UPS’ official position on vape delivery is they won’t export or import “Vaping Product, including but not limited to e-cigarette devices and e-liquids or gels, regardless of nicotine content.”
According to the PACT Act, the independent courier services that ship vaping products of any kind to customers must follow a strict set of rules. Shippers need to:
- Register with the United States Attorney General
- Verify the age of the customer
- Collect a signature from an adult to complete last mile delivery
- Register with the relevant departments of the states that tax vaping products
- Collect all the applicable tax as elaborated on the package
- Send regular data of the products sold and customer details to the federal and local authorities
- Keep the record of any PACT Act violations for 5 years
Failing to comply with all the necessary guidelines can result in penalties and imprisonment. Since big players are not willing to take the risks anymore, small businesses and online stores need to find alternative vape courier services to deliver their products.
How to choose a new vape courier service?
When you’re scrambling to find a reliable and high-quality independent shipping company, you need to keep a few points in mind.
Are they a local/regional vape delivery service?
Local and regional delivery companies in your area can offer better services than nationwide shippers. For one, local companies have a strong and deep network focused on a particular state or region of the country. This way, you can narrow down and improve your service for a specific demographic or community.
IntelliQuick is an independent vape courier service with an expansive delivery infrastructure all over the U.S. Southwest. It is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona with service hubs located in Las Vegas, Denver, and Tucson.
With 100,000+ square feet of warehouse space for local freight and warehouse management, 20 docks for cross-docking, and 10 acres adjacent for build-out, IntelliQuick has the resources to reach the people living in the furthest corners of the southwest.
Do they offer same-day vape courier delivery?
A premium courier service partner relies on speed and efficiency to deliver packages to the customers. While zeroing on your ideal shipping partner, make sure they offer super-fast deliveries like same-day delivery and next-day delivery.
IntelliQuick manages to do this everyday thanks to the optimized workforce armed with the best of technology. A unified Enterprise Digital Assistant helps all the parties keep track of the packages, update the delivery status in real-time, send notifications, and communicate with each other.
IntelliQuick has same-day rush delivery known as Have It Today or H.I.T program. It is divided into three tiers giving you multiple options to choose from:
- Same day vape delivery
- Next day vape delivery
- Afternoon vape delivery
Are they using up-to-date technology?
Technology should be at the heart of delivery partners in 2021, and it is deeply ingrained in IntelliQuick’s DNA. From optimized routes to flexible solutions according to situations, IntelliQuick employs state-of-the-art techniques to serve better. From leaving the store to reaching the customer’s doorstep, the journey of a package involves Advance Shipment Notifications (ASN), overs/shortage/damage reports (OSD), scanning and documentation, the chain of custody, and GPS tracking.
The ability to come up with innovative solutions can only be afforded by companies that are technologically ready. Everyday IntelliQuick is trying to find smarter solutions and better optimization of the delivery network so that all the moving parts work seamlessly.
Are the drivers trained and experienced?
Independent, smaller vape courier services often have untrained drivers in their ranks. Lack of experience can jeopardize sensitive product delivery and break down the entire chain of communication. You need to make sure the drivers are qualified for the job.
IntelliQuick overcomes this challenge by boasting an army of trained professionals who are at it for decades. They are trained with best shipping practices and are always on top of new developments. The experience comes to the fore while delivering products in a timely manner.
Do they have good customer service?
When you hire a new vape courier service, you should check whether they have robust customer management in place. It’s normal to have a lot of questions, at least in the initial days. The two parties need to understand each other’s processes and good customer service can help dispel doubts and overcome avoidable confusion. On top of that, customers need to get through to someone in case of any delivery issue.
IntelliQuick makes sure your entire delivery process is carried out smoothly. With dedicated customer service representatives, you can be assured of the safety and security of your packages.
A lot depends on the vape courier service partner you choose. Make sure the shipper of your choice ticks all the boxes discussed above. If you’re looking to serve your customers in the Southwest and need a reliable vape delivery courier, reach out to us. We’re here to help you serve your customers.