At Havana Cigar Exchange we want to ensure that the cigars you receive are in the best possible condition. We open and check every humidor, box, pack and tubos to check that the cigar is of our very high standards.
Always look for the warrant seal on any box of Cuban cigars. You will be able to check any serial number to make sure that your cigars are 100% real. Follow this link to the official Habanos site to check.
In the United Kingdom there is another guarantee, in 1993, Hunters & Frankau introduced the EMS Stamp and since then they have awarded it to all boxes and packs of Havanas that pass an additional UK inspection which is conducted once the cigars have reached their duty paid humidified warehouse. It serves as the traditional guarantee of quality and authenticity for Havanas sold in the UK. In 1997 the colour of the stamps started to change and have continued to do so annually. All packs of Havanas selected for sale by H&F in the UK domestic market bear the EMS stamp.
EMS is a term that has been referred to in Cuba for over a century to identify the quality of cigars designated for the British market. It is the cornerstone of the UK’s long-established reputation as the world’s centre for the finest Havana cigars.
The EMS stamp was introduced by Hunters & Frankau over twenty-five years ago as an easily identifiable mark of quality and authenticity for Havanas sold in the UK market.
The stamp is applied to all boxes and packs of Havanas that have passed an additional UK quality inspection before being made available for sale to trade accounts.
Every single box and pack of Havana cigars are opened (by cutting the seals) and inspected before they leave the Hunters & Frankau warehouse. This is to ensure that only the very best quality cigars are released for sale in the UK market.
For more information click here for the Hunters & Frankau site.