Compliance-First Logistics. How to Support the Tobacco Industry’s Growth the Right Way

If there’s one industry operating in one of the most tightly regulated environments in Europe, it’s tobacco. In Poland—as in the entire EU—tobacco advertising has been banned for years, and promotional activity is strictly limited to point-of-sale displays and below-the-line communication. These strict legal requirements force tobacco brands to act with precision—at every stage of the sales process: from packaging and transport to the installation of display units.

That’s just the beginning. The tobacco industry also faces additional restrictions tied to excise tax and banderole markings, all of which must be correctly applied and recorded. Regulations also require age verification during both in-person sales and the shipping of related products, such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco devices, or lighters. And let’s not forget that promotional logistics in this industry are highly visible to regulatory bodies and are held to the same standards as the end product itself.

According to WHO reports and European Commission data:

• Poland is one of the strictest EU countries when it comes to tobacco promotion,
• while also ranking among the top 5 tobacco consumer markets in the EU (with an estimated 2024 market value of over PLN 30 billion).

Given this context, it’s no surprise that every campaign in the tobacco space feels more like a special operation than a marketing activity.

 Timing, legal compliance, and full control over the supply chain aren’t just “nice-to-haves”—they’re the foundation of safety and business effectiveness.

That’s why companies in this sector can’t afford to work with just any logistics provider. They need a partner who knows the industry inside and out, can move fast, stay compliant, and work hand-in-hand with trade marketing, e-commerce, and field sales teams.

When Campaigns Hit Legal or Operational Roadblocks

There’s no room for error in the tobacco industry. The most common issues include regulatory violations, delivery delays, and lack of control over display units. These mistakes don’t just harm your brand image—they can also lead to serious administrative penalties.

One international brand learned this the hard way in 2023, when it was forced to suspend an in-store product campaign after some POSM materials were delivered without the excise markings required by law. The result: no visibility in key retail locations for 10 days and the urgent need to replace materials across several hundred points of sale.

In another case, during a campaign for heated tobacco devices, the logistics provider failed to verify the age of recipients. This resulted in a temporary shutdown of the e-commerce channel and an emergency overhaul of procedures.

These examples show how unforgiving the market can be. Even a lack of real-time data on the status and location of display units is a risk. Without system-based reporting, many companies are flying blind—an unacceptable situation in fast-moving campaigns, where control over the sales channel is crucial.

The lack of traditional advertising options in this category makes every display unit a vital brand touchpoint—and often the only opportunity to connect with the consumer. That’s why even minor operational slip-ups lead to real sales losses and missed communication opportunities.

The Solution: POSM Logistics That Understands the Tobacco Sector

Tobacco logistics needs to be not only agile but also precise and legally compliant.

At Fulfilio, we’ve been supporting major global brands for years in designing and executing POSM campaigns that meet all legal requirements—while delivering at scale across Poland.

When choosing a logistics partner, make sure they cover these key areas. If their offer aligns with your needs and market conditions, it’s a partnership worth considering:

It’s also worth checking whether your logistics partner can handle e-commerce shipments of accessories and devices with added insurance, declared value, and age verification (e.g., DPD Age Check).

This is especially important when selling heated tobacco devices, lighters, or other nicotine-related products. Make sure your provider supports both B2C fulfillment and distribution to retail networks—with full compliance and operational accuracy built in.

Ultimately, what makes the difference isn’t just infrastructure—but people. The Fulfilio team understands the specifics of this sector, responds quickly to unexpected issues, and adapts to fast-changing marketing plans. We support our clients not just in execution but also in planning and optimization—because in this industry, one logistics mistake can derail weeks of effort by sales and marketing teams.

Case Studies: What Our Tobacco Clients Achieve

Relocation without disruption? Just coordination, not a problem.

When a client needed to relocate several sales kiosks in shopping malls, every detail mattered. Our team developed a transport strategy to execute everything outside business hours. Display furniture required special protection, and electronics had to be tested and reinstalled.

We delivered a full action plan, coordinated with the mall technical teams, and completed the entire operation with zero downtime.

The result? No sales interruptions. New locations were set up to brand standards, including proper excise labeling and health compliance.

E-commerce with extra requirements? Our daily routine.

Selling tobacco-related products online—like heated devices, lighters, or accessories—requires two key things:

1. Speed of fulfillment
2. Legal compliance

For one of the leading brands, we handle comprehensive fulfillment: order picking, packing, shipping with age verification (e.g., via DPD Age Check), and returns processing.

Shipments come with extra insurance, and all processes are integrated with the client’s systems to allow full order tracking. This enables the brand to scale their online sales without worrying about compliance issues or losing supply chain visibility.

In these projects, logistics wasn’t just about moving goods from point A to B. It was about ensuring campaign continuity in an environment where mistakes aren’t an option—and making sure the brand was present exactly where it needed to be. On time, by the book, and without disruption.

Why It Works: Experience, Flexibility, Control

In the tobacco sector, changing regulations, strict rules, and the need for flawless execution are part of daily life. What others see as barriers, we see as standard practice.

Since 2013, Fulfilio has supported leading tobacco brands—from POSM logistics and marketing activations to sales point relocations and full-service e-commerce fulfillment. We know the rules. We understand the pace of this industry, its seasonality, time pressure, and the need to pivot quickly.

There’s no room here for guesswork or delays. That’s why we prioritize transparency—offering real-time access to data, rapid reporting, and seamless system integration. A campaign that launches even one hour late loses its edge. Our teams respond immediately—whether it’s a surprise issue or a scheduled action.

Clients also value our operational flexibility. Because our teams are made up of experts who care, we can arrange overnight deliveries to shopping malls, relocate kiosks midweek, or implement new packing procedures in 24 hours. Not because we “have to,” but because we understand how this business works—and we’re here to support it, not slow it down.

• We work with clients who need more than logistics—they need operational advantage.
• See how your campaign could look with a partner who knows the rules but works without limits.

Get in touch — and let’s tailor a solution that fits your brand and sales network.