Rhode Island General Laws — Title 44 (Taxation)
R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-20.1-5 — Shipping requirements
(a) Each person who mails, ships, or otherwise delivers cigarettes in connection with
a delivery sale:
(1) Shall include as part of the bill of lading or other shipping documents a clear and
conspicuous statement providing as follows: âCigarettes: Rhode Island law prohibits
shipping to individuals under 18, and requires the payment of all applicable taxesâ:
(2) Shall use a method of mailing, shipping or delivery that obligates the delivery service
to require: (i) the consumer placing the purchase order for the delivery sale or another
adult of legal minimum purchase age residing at the consumerâs address, to sign to
accept delivery of the shipping container; and (ii) proof, in the form of a valid,
government-issued identification bearing a photograph of the individual who signs
to accept delivery of the shipping container, demonstrating that he/she either the
addressee or another adult of legal minimum purchase age residing at the consumerâs
address. However, proof of the legal minimum purchase age shall be required only if
such individual appears to be under twenty-seven (27) years of age; and
(3) Shall provide to the delivery service retained for such delivery sale evidence of
full compliance with § 44-20.1-7.
(b) If the person accepting a purchase order for a delivery sale delivers the cigarettes
without using a delivery service, such person shall comply with all requirements of
this chapter applicable to a delivery service and shall be in violation of the provisions
of this chapter if he/she fails to comply with any such requirement.
Source: official text