If you’ve ever ordered a box of Cuban cigars in the UK, you may have been surprised to receive it already opened. Don’t worry—this isn’t a sign of tampering. In fact, it’s a mark of authenticity and quality assurance.
Here’s why your box was opened, and why it’s actually a good thing.
The EMS Guarantee – English Market Selection
The key lies in EMS, which stands for English Market Selection. This term has been used in Cuba for over a century to identify the cigars destined for the British market—traditionally regarded as some of the finest-quality Havanas available.
In 1993, Hunters & Frankau (the UK’s official distributor of Cuban cigars) introduced the EMS Stamp. Since then, every box and pack of Havanas sold in the UK domestic market carries this mark.
The EMS stamp guarantees that:
- Cigars have been imported directly from Habanos S.A. in Cuba by its official UK distributor.
- Every box has undergone an additional UK quality check—each cigar is inspected individually after arriving in the UK duty-paid humidified warehouse.
- All UK Duties have been paid and the correct UK health warnings applied.
In other words, every box must be opened and inspected before it can carry the EMS guarantee. That’s why when you buy Cuban cigars in the UK, you’ll almost never receive a factory-sealed, untouched box.
Changing EMS Stamp Colours
Since 1997, the EMS stamp has changed colour each year. This is another layer of authenticity and makes it easy to confirm the cigars were imported legitimately for that year’s stock.
What Happens After Inspection?
Once boxes pass EMS checks, they are distributed to UK retailers. At Simply Cigars, we:
- Receive cigars direct from Hunters & Frankau.
- Store them in our humidor room to ensure perfect condition.
- Re-check every box before dispatching your order.
This double inspection ensures your cigars arrive in prime condition, ready to enjoy.
Travel Retail & Export Stamps
For cigars sold unopened—such as in duty-free or export markets (Republic of Ireland, Gibraltar, Channel Islands)—Hunters & Frankau apply a different stamp: “H&F – Imported Directly from Cuba.”
This stamp confirms the cigars have still come through official channels but without the individual UK EMS quality check.
Why This Matters to UK Smokers
Receiving an opened box may feel unusual at first, but it’s actually your best assurance that your cigars are:
- 100% authentic Cuban Habanos
- Properly inspected and stored in the UK
- Backed by the longest-standing quality guarantee in the cigar world
So when you see that EMS stamp, you can light up with confidence knowing your cigars have been carefully handled from Cuba to your humidor.
Browse our EMS-guaranteed Cuban cigar collection and experience authentic Havanas with the quality assurance only available in the UK.