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Finished CigarsIndividual cigars are finished (or dressed) in various ways: With Bands Since mid 2006, all Cuban cigars have bands applied. Limited and Special Releases usually have a second band. Commemorative issues may have a special band and/or a second band. On rare occasions, the bands may be individually numbered. Without Bands Previously, un-banded Cuban cigars were limited to Slide Lid Boxes and Bundles. Between 2004 and 2006, this packaging can be found with or without bands. Un-banded cigars are no longer produced. Aluminium Tubes Some cigars are only available in aluminium tubes, while others are available either with or without tubes. Aluminium tubes have a thin cedar timber veneer lining. Tubes help preserve cigars from physical damage and short-term drying out. Habanos recommends removing the cigars from their tubes if storing in a humidor; but MRN recommends leaving cigars in their tubes for improved (but slower) aging. Since 2006, Habanos SA has been extending the available tube range in their major brands, using both the standard tubes, and a more colourful and different style premium tube. Some of the minor brands are having the tubes withdrawn. Cedar Wrapped Cedar wrapping is intended to add a cedar aroma to the cigar. It provides some protection against physical damage. The cedar wrapping may be left on when storing in a humidor. Tissue Wrapped Only one brand is currently available tissue wrapped; the Fonseca. The wrapping adds nothing and provides negligible protection. The tissue may be left on the cigars in a humidor. It must be removed before smoking. Paper Foil This may be silver or gold coloured, and is currently used to fully or partially wrap some cigars, such as the Cuaba Diademas and the Bolivia Gold Medal. Paper foil has been used since 1980, when it replaced Aluminium Foil. Cellophane Sleeves In recent times, cellophane sleeves were only used with machine-made cigars. According to Habanos, most Cuban cigars were, in earlier times, available in cellophane sleeves. Other Types Some earlier cigars were available in Glass Tubes (discontinued mid 1970's), Aluminium Foil (discontinued circa 1980), and (more recently) Plastic Tubes. |
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Packaging Types
Cigars are packaged for sale in the various forms: Dress Box This is the standard cigar box. Also referred to as a current box, labelled box or semi-plain box. It contains 25 banded cigars. The cigars are normally box pressed (the cigars are slightly flat on four sides) except for cedar-wrapped or tubed cigars. The box is constructed from veneered cedar and is "dressed" with specific paper labels and trimmings. The box is closed using a pin / nail. Small Dress Box This is a smaller version of the dress box, usually containing 10 cigars. Slide Lid Box (SLB) Also referred to as a Cabinet. This is a varnished or unvarnished cedar timber box containing 25 or 50 round cigars; packed in a bundle and tied with a silk ribbon, with cigars-bands since mid 2006. Semi Boite Nature (SBN) A varnished or unvarnished cedar timber box containing 10, 24, 25, or 50 round cigars in layers. This box has a flat hinged lid (no sealing-collars) and is fitted with a clasp. Boite Nature (BN) A varnished cedar timber box normally containing 10 or 25 round cigars in one or more layers. This box has a formed hinged lid with projecting sealing-collars, and is fitted with a clasp. 8-9-8 Box A varnished cedar timber box with curved sides (on two sides) containing 25 round cigars, arranged in 3 layers of 8, 9, and 8 cigars. 3-4-3 Box A recent smaller version of the curve sided 8-9-8 box, containing 10 cigars, arranged in 3 layers of 3, 4, and 3 cigars. Single Box Also known as the coffin box. A varnished or unvarnished cedar timber SLB or SBN containing a single round cigar or a Culebras (three intertwined cigars). The single boxes are normally packed in a 3 or 5 pack Dress or Slide Lid Box. Usually reserved for expensive cigars. Bundles Bundles (Mazos) of 25 round cigars, with cigar-bands since mid 2006. Wrapped in silver paper foil and normally presented in a cardboard outer box. Normally used for cheaper (but well selling) short filler cigars, such as Quintero. Cardboard Packs Cardboard Packs of 3 or 5 round cigars. Normally available as 5 Packs within an outer display box. This is a recently revived form of packaging (circa 2002). Used for small Packaging of premium cigars (including Cohiba) for affordability, but also for non-premium cigars for cheapness. Cardboard Packs existed pre-revolution but lapsed in the early 1970's. At the end of 2006, some of these packs were phased out. Special Packaging Special packaging takes many forms; from ceramic jars (the Millennium editions) to special individually made Boite Nature boxes (sometimes containing a small humidifier) with a varying number of cigars ( 5 in the Robusto & Pyramids collection, to 30 in the Cohiba Select Reserve). Some releases take special forms, such as the Habanos Collection, which is presented in the form of a book. Occasionally a Cajon (large box) of 50 to 100 cigars is used. Special Humidors Special humidors can take many forms and are usually issued for a special occasion. They are normally limited in quantity, carry a premium price surcharge and may contain vitolas not in normal production. The cigars may have a special or an extra band. The humidors are often numbered and (rarely) the bands may be numbered. Earlier Packaging Other earlier cigar packaging included: Cajon's of 50 or 100 (discontinued pre 1960), tin cans (discontinued mid 1960's), glass jars (discontinued mid 1970's), and aluminium packs (discontinued mid 1980's). There were also humidors of all forms. Internal Notice Inside each box is a 104mm x 69mm advisory notice printed on a waxy paper, in Spanish, English, French, and German. Since circa 2005, a newer notice is used, correcting the spacing error (in the English section) after the (16°C-18°C) text. A further revision was released circa 2007 when the German & French texts were rewritten. The original German text had spelling, construction, and grammatical errors. Presumably the French text was changed for the same reason. 
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Date Codes
Cuban cigar boxes produced since 1985 contain a coded date stamp. Prior to 1985, there was no official date identification on boxes (some dealers dated the boxes themselves, usually handwritten in pencil). These codes are ink stamped onto the bottom of the timber box or the cardboard outer packing, sometimes both. There have been three date systems used since 1985:
Original Date System (1985 to 1998) This is the so called "NIVELACUSO" code. Each of the 10 letters was given a number from 0 to 9 (starting at 1) as follows:
The code for each month is assigned to the number of the month, represented as 1 to 12 (1 or 2 digits). The year code is the last two digits of the year (in short year format, where 1985 is expressed as 85). The full date code is either 3 or 4 digits, with the month first and the year second (myy or mmyy) as follows:
Examples January 1985 is: NUL December 1998 is: NISU Transition Date System (1999) This is the so called "CODIGUNETA" code. Each of the 10 letters was given a number from 0 to 9 as follows:
However, while this system was intended to be a replacement for the original date system, it became only a transitional system. To further complicate this period, some factories (about half) only used this system from January 1999 to May 1999, and then used a fixed code system for the remaining seven months. This gives the following date codes for 1999:
Examples: January 1999 is: CCUN December 1999 is: CCNE or LROO depending on the factory of origin. Current Date System (2000 on) This is the current date system. Each month is given an alpha code based on the first three letters of the Spanish spelling of the month. The year is indicated by the last two digits of the year (in short year format, where 2006 is expressed as 06). The full date code is 5 digits with the month first & the year second (mmmyy) as follows.
Examples: January 2000 is: ENE00 December 2005 is: DIC05 |
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Factory Codes Cuban Cigar Boxes produced since 1985 contain a coded factory of origin stamp. Prior to 1985, there was no factory identification on boxes. These codes are ink stamped onto the bottom of the timber box or the cardboard outer packing, sometimes both. These codes are used for quality control purposes as in different years, numerous factories may make a particular brand or vitola. The codes keep changing to deter buyers from demanding or rejecting a particular factory as it went in or out of favour, as this causes stock problems for Habanos and their distributors. Factory codes normally comprise 3 capital letters, although some 2 & 4 letter codes exist. Up until about 2001, they were sometimes enclosed with a rectangle. There have been four code systems used since 1985, coinciding with the box date code changes, with the forth (and still unbreakable) code introduced in 2003. First System (1985 to 1998) The first series of factory codes involved 2, 3 & 4 capital letters, was very simple, and often obvious (eg BM for the Romeo y Julieta Briones Montoto factory, FPG for the Partagas Francisco Perez German factory, and CFGS for the Quintero Cienfuegos 1 factory). In several provinces, all the factories use a common code (eg SS for the 10 factories in the Sancti Spiritus province). Second System (1998 to 1999) The second series of factory codes involved 3 capital letters, was less obvious, and the factories were all given separate codes. As in the above examples, BM became EDC, FPG became EAT, CFGS became OTC, and the 10 SS province factories were given separate codes. Third System (2000 to 2003) The third series of factory codes involved 3 & 4 capital letters, changed the main codes again, and introduced another system for the provinces; where each province shared a group of codes. The failure of this system lead to the current system. Fourth & Current System (2003 on) With this system of factory codes, all factories have an unique 3 capital letter code that can be changed monthly and yearly. With this system there are a substantial number of unique codes available, which means there need not be a duplicate code for many years. Consequently identifying and tracking them is virtually impossible. Only those with access to the code generator program would know codes in advance. Occasionally a code may be reported but even if correct, it is of limited use as it may only be valid for short time. Given the much improved quality control from 2005/6 on, the difference in factory output is reduced, making it less important to "chase factories". In addition, the rationalisation, improvement, and replacement of factories means that more brands are now being made in a single factory. For more information about factories.....click here. |
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Box Markings & Security Seals In addition to the box date codes and factory codes, Cuban cigar boxes have other markings. These are impact stamped onto the box and some indentation should be evident. This section covers markings and seals that are applied by Habanos before the boxes leave the factory. Box Stamps  The first marking is the authority responsible for the production of
Cuban cigars. From 1994 this is "Habanos S.A." Between 1985 and 1994 it was "Cubatobacco", who used a stylised
tobacco leaf logo above the word. This leaf symbol was later
incorporated into the Habanos box sticker (see below).
The second inscription is the Country of manufacture. Pre-revolutionary (1960) boxes were all stamped:
"MADE IN HAVANA-CUBA" in English.  Between 1960 to 1962, this was changed to the "Hecho en Cuba",
Spanish for
made or grown in Cuba, and was enclosed in an oval. This logo is
still current.Handmade Cigars  Since 1989, boxes of premium handmade long filler (Tripa Larga)
cigars have the inscription Totalmente a mano, meaning
"totally by hand.Machine-bunched Hand-finished Cigars The practice of hand finishing machine-bunched cigars was reduced in the 1990's and fully discontinued by circa 2002. Machine-made hand finished cigars also reportedly used the Totalmente a mano inscription. Short Filler Cigars  Since circa 2002, boxes of handmade short filler (Tripa
Corta) cigars are identified by TC being ink printed below the
Totalmente a mano inscription, however boxes of short filler cigars
have been found without this stamp (either old box stock
or manufacturing error).Machine-made Cigars  Fully machine made (Mecanizado) cigars usually have no third
inscription, except that an inscription "Envuelto a Mano" has been
reported, meaning that the cigars were placed, packed, and wrapped
by hand (envuelto is the plural of the Spanish word envolver,
meaning to cover, envelope, or wrap up).Box Seals Since 1994, boxes were sealed diagonally across their top right-hand corner with a white strip with gold borders and the leaf emblem, and the word Habanos in red and yellow. The sticker is self-adhesive, rectangular, and measures 102mm x 20mm. Limited edition boxes have a second LE seal set below the white Habanos seal. Most Regional Editions have a similar seal. 
Cuban Warranty Seals Between 1912 & 1998, there is a Guarantee Seal (Sello de garantía nacional de procedencia) that seals every box of Cuban cigars. It is printed in four languages with green ink (shades) on a white paper, in 3 known sizes: 183mm x 64mm & 97mm x 34mm for boxes, and ~60mm x ~21mm for cardboard Packaging. The old box seals were glued and the pack seals were self-adhesive.  In 1999 Habanos introduced a new more secure version of this seal. It measures 148mm x 49mm and is manufactured with better quality, self-adhesive paper, embossed inks, micro-printing, and UV marks. It also has a serial number printed in red ink. If the cigar box comes packed inside an outer carton box, the seal is normally adhered to the carton box and the timber box. Any serial number on the warranty seal commencing with a red XX or XY has been opened and inspected at the Habanos SA facility as part of their quality control. 
The seal should be placed so that the fold (on the opening side of the box) is through the centre of the coat of arms. 
Under UV black light inspection, the serial
number letters remain red but the numbers may appear black or very
dark red, and above the serial number there is a lemon-yellow well
defined UV image of the coat of arms, similar but larger than the
printed shield. Older boxes have a less well defined more
pinkish UV image. Newer boxes have as less defined watermark. |
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Health,
Logos, and Duty Paid Stickers These are stickers applied by the Regional Distributors before being sent to retailers: Government Health Warning Stickers These are placed on boxes by the regional distributors to comply with local anti-smoking laws. They can be removed by the judicious application of heat (hairdryer or heat gun) to the empty box. Logos and other Duty Paid Stickers These include stickers applied by some local distributors to authenticate their origin. In some countries, a separate duty paid sticker is also applied. UK Distributors, Hunters & Frankau, resurrected the old EMS (English market selection) sticker in 1993 and applied it to cigar boxes after clearing bond by the payment of the duty and excise.  
2005
2006
2007 For boxes of Havana cigars sold sealed by
Hunters & Frankau, a "H & F Imported Directly from
Cuba" sticker is used. These stamps are applied to all boxes for
Travel Retail and Hunters & Frankau's
export markets (Republic of Ireland, Gibraltar and the Channel
Islands).  German Distributors, Fifth Avenue, apply a
transparent logo and a paper government duty sticker. |
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Habanos Packing Codes On the Habanos SA website, a special packaging code is used to describe the Packaging available for each vitola. The packaging code is made up of 6 parts, each part separated by the hyphen (-) symbol. A typical code for cigars is in the form of:
This (roughly) works out as: pack type - pack material - fixing / packing - cigars per layer - cigar finish - total cigars. Note, "n" does not mean number.....it means nada.........nothing......in effect: blank! The codes are:
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