Delivering Tobacco Guidelines

DoorDash does not currently allow Merchants to directly sell tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, or other similar products on our consumer-facing Marketplace platform.

However, in some states, provinces, and territories where it is legal, Merchants with a tobacco-specific agreement with DoorDash may request Dasher delivery of tobacco products that customers have purchased directly from the Merchant through the Merchant’s own channels or through other platforms.  

The following information is intended to help you responsibly and lawfully deliver tobacco products in those circumstances.  Please note that you could be held liable if you deliver tobacco products to a minor, so it's important that you follow this process fully to protect yourself, the customer, and the health and safety of minors.  As a reminder, you are free to decline any delivery offer, including tobacco deliveries.

I. TOBACCO PRODUCT PICK-UP

Tobacco orders are age-restricted in accordance with local law.  In order to pick up a tobacco order, you will be required to present your valid driver's license or another valid government-issued ID, so please make sure you have your ID on you before accepting the order.

II. TOBACCO PRODUCT DROP-OFF

A. AGE AND ID VERIFICATION

You can only deliver tobacco products to a customer if the customer meets the minimum age requirement under local law:

• 21+ in the U.S.

• 18+ in Australia; or 

• 18, 19, or 21+ in Canada in accordance with provincial law.

To verify age, ask the customer to see a valid ID.  Check every customer’s ID every time, even if the customer clearly appears to be over the legally-required age.  A valid ID must include a photograph and date of birth.  For example, acceptable forms of ID may include:

• A valid driver's license or identification card issued by federal, state, provincial, county, or municipal government.

• A valid passport.

• An identification card issued by the Armed Forces of the United States that contains the name, date of birth, description, and picture of the person.

Next, make sure the ID is not invalid or fake:

1. Check the expiration date. Do not accept an ID that is expired.

2. Ask to remove the ID from the wallet.

3. Compare the customer at the door to the photo in the ID.  Examine facial features: are the height, eye shape, ear and nose shape or placement similar?  Ignore weight, hair and makeup as these may change.

4. Feel the edges of the ID - a legitimate ID will have smooth, uniform edges.  A fake ID may have rougher edges and perhaps may be coming apart.

5. Look for glue lines or bumpy or uneven surfaces. A real ID’s surface should be consistent.

If the customer’s ID check fails your physical examination or an app-prompted ID scan, do not complete the delivery; instead, return the tobacco product(s) to the merchant.

B. RESTRICTED LOCATIONS

Do NOT, under any circumstances, deliver tobacco products to the following locations:

1. Public or private school (K-12) (e.g. an elementary school);

2. Hospitals & health care facilities;

3. Sports venues or any place hosting a sporting event;

4. College campus (e.g. a fraternity house, residence hall, library);

5. Prison, reformatory, veterans’ home, or state capitol grounds;

6. P.O. Boxes;

7. Locker or similar package storage service (e.g. a storage facility); or

8. Other business that sells tobacco products (e.g. tobacco retail shop).

C.  JUDGMENT

Lastly, use your judgment. If you have any doubts about the ID or the customer, or encounter a situation in which it does not seem reasonable to deliver a tobacco product (e.g., a location where minors are present and appear to be the intended recipients), do not complete delivery and contact support.

III. DECLINE CUSTOMER-INITIATED REQUESTS FOR TOBACCO PRODUCTS

If a customer reaches out to you directly (e.g., via the in-app chat feature or by phone) to request that you add a tobacco product to their order, it is important to decline the request.  Third party delivery of tobacco products is illegal in many states.  Even in states where tobacco delivery is legal, initiating the delivery outside of normal processes violates DoorDash’s Consumer Terms and Dasher Policies, and could also unintentionally result in a noncompliant delivery - e.g., a delivery without an ID check and/or without collection of a signature upon delivery.  Declining the request will protect you, the merchant, the customer, and DoorDash.  If the customer is insistent with their request, you can always contact support for assistance.