PACT Act Compliance

PACT Act Compliance at Vapekage

What Is the PACT Act?

The Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act (PACT Act) is a federal law originally enacted in 2009 to combat illegal cigarette trafficking. In December 2020, Congress expanded the law through the Consolidated Appropriations Act to cover all Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), including e-cigarettes, disposable vapes, vape pens, e-liquids, and related components.

The expanded PACT Act took effect on March 27, 2021.

What the PACT Act Requires from Online Retailers

1. ATF Registration

All online vape retailers must register with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) as a delivery seller. Registration must be renewed annually.

2. State Tax Registration

Retailers must register with the tax administrator of every state where they ship products, collect applicable taxes, and file periodic delivery reports.

3. Age Verification at Checkout

Every order requires third-party identity verification before processing. A simple checkbox does not meet the legal standard. Compliant retailers use verification databases to confirm name, date of birth, and address.

4. No private-carrier compliant courier Shipping

The PACT Act prohibits the US Postal Service from delivering vaping products. All shipments must use private carriers (UPS, FedEx, LSO) with procedures to prevent delivery to minors.

5. Adult Signature at Delivery

Every delivery requires a verified adult signature (21+). The carrier confirms the recipient’s age before releasing the package. This cannot be waived.

6. Proper Labeling

Packages must be labeled as containing tobacco/nicotine products. Unmarked or “discreet” shipping is not permitted.

How Vapekage Complies

Requirement	Vapekage Compliance
ATF Registration	Registered as delivery seller
State Tax Registration	Registered in applicable states; taxes collected at checkout
Age Verification	AgeChecker.Net third-party verification
Carrier Compliance	Ships via UPS, FedEx, LSO — never USPS
Adult Signature	Required on every delivery; $6.99 carrier fee passed through at cost
Labeling	All packages labeled per federal requirements
Product Sourcing	All products from established distributor channelss

How to Spot a Non-Compliant Retailer

• Ships via PACT Act-compliant private carrier — Prohibited by federal law. No exceptions.
• No real age verification — Just a checkbox is not compliant.
• “No signature required” — Adult signature is mandatory and cannot be waived.
• “Discreet packaging” — Packages must be labeled as nicotine products.
• Prices far below market — Likely not paying required taxes.
• No physical address listed — Legitimate retailers have an address on file with the ATF.
• No mention of PACT Act anywhere — Compliant retailers are transparent.

Why Compliance Matters for Consumers

• Product authenticity: Regulated supply chains source from established distributor channels. Non-compliant sellers are more likely to carry counterfeits.
• Age protection: Proper verification keeps products away from minors.
• Legal protection: Buying from a registered retailer means your purchase is legal.
• Accountability: Registered retailers are accountable to federal and state authorities.

About the Adult Signature Fee

The $6.99 adult signature fee is a pass-through cost charged by the carrier for age-verified delivery. Vapekage does not mark up this fee. Our $12.99 shipping breaks down as:

• $5.99 — standard ground shipping
• $6.99 — adult signature service (carrier surcharge)

Every legitimate online vape retailer pays this fee. If a store does not charge for adult signature, they are either absorbing the cost or not requiring it (which is illegal). Orders over $75 at Vapekage qualify for free shipping — we absorb both fees.

Federal Legislation References

• PACT Act (Public Law 111-154) — original 2009 legislation
• Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) — expanded PACT Act to ENDS
• ATF PACT Act Overview
• Texas Comptroller PACT Act Page

Questions?

Contact us at sales@vapekage.com or visit our contact page. For shipping details, see our shipping information page.