For cigar lovers, there’s more to a Cuban box than the cigars inside. Flip a cedar box over and you’ll find a series of codes, stamps, and seals that tell a fascinating story: where the cigars were rolled, when they were packed, and whether they’re truly Totalmente a Mano (totally handmade).
For collectors, dating and decoding Cuban cigar boxes is part of the fun—and for UK smokers, understanding EMS stamps adds another layer of authenticity. Here’s your complete guide to Cuban cigar box codes, from history to modern practice.
A Brief History of Cigar Packaging
Cigars weren’t always sold in elegant cedar boxes. In the 1800s, they were bundled in pig bladders, sometimes with a vanilla pod tucked inside to mask odour.
By the mid-19th century, cedar had become the wood of choice. English banker Herman Upmann—who would go on to found the famous H. Upmann brand in 1844—used Spanish cedar boxes to ship cigars to London. The wood preserved freshness, prevented drying, and encouraged ageing. That cedar box remains the standard of premium cigar packaging today.
Stamps Through the Decades
The markings on Cuban cigar boxes have evolved over time:
- Pre-1960: All stamps printed in English (“Made in Cuba”).
- 1960s: Changed to Spanish (“Hecho en Cuba”).
- 1985: Introduction of encrypted factory/date codes by Habanos S.A.
- 1989: “Hecho a mano” replaced by “Totalmente a mano” (“totally handmade”).
- 1994: “Cubatabaco” branding changed to “Habanos S.A.”
- 2002–04: Short-filler cigars identified with “Tripa Corta” or ink-stamped TC.
EMS – The UK’s Guarantee of Authenticity
For UK smokers, the most important mark of all is the EMS stamp.
- EMS stands for English Market Selection—a designation used in Cuba for over a century to mark cigars chosen for the British market.
- Introduced formally in 1993 by Hunters & Frankau (the UK’s exclusive Habanos distributor).
- Every box and pack sold in the UK domestic market is opened, inspected, and given an EMS stamp of approval.
- Stamps change colour annually (since 1997), helping to verify import year.
The EMS guarantee ensures:
- Cigars are imported directly from Habanos S.A.
- Each cigar is individually inspected in the UK.
- UK duty and health warnings have been properly applied.
- Boxes are stored in correct conditions before reaching retailers.
Boxes sold unopened for Travel Retail or export markets (Ireland, Gibraltar, Channel Islands) carry a different stamp: “H&F – Imported Directly from Cuba.”
Box Codes: Factory & Date
Since 1985, all Cuban cigar boxes carry codes that identify:
- Factory – a letter code showing where the cigars were rolled.
- Date – the month and year they were boxed.
Factory Codes
Factory codes are typically 2–4 uppercase letters (e.g. BM for Briones Montoto, EL for El Laguito, FPG for Francisco Pérez Germán). These codes change periodically to discourage “factory chasing,” where smokers sought out certain factories considered superior.
Date Codes
Since 2000, the date format has been clear and standardised:
- Three-letter month code in Spanish + two-digit year.
- Example: AGO 19 = August 2019.
Month Codes
| Code | Month |
|---|---|
| ENE | Enero (January) |
| FEB | Febrero (February) |
| MAR | Marzo (March) |
| ABR | Abril (April) |
| MAY | Mayo (May) |
| JUN | Junio (June) |
| JUL | Julio (July) |
| AGO | Agosto (August) |
| SEP | Septiembre (September) |
| OCT | Octubre (October) |
| NOV | Noviembre (November) |
| DIC | Diciembre (December) |
Collector’s tip: Havana cigars age beautifully in a humidor. Checking the date code helps gauge whether a box is young, ready to smoke, or prime for long ageing.
Totalmente a Mano – Tripa Larga vs Tripa Corta
Another important mark to note:
- Tripa Larga (long filler) – Premium handmade Habanos stamped “Totalmente a Mano – Tripa Larga.”
- Tripa Corta (short filler) – Lower-grade cigars stamped “Totalmente a Mano – Tripa Corta” and since 2002 ink-stamped TC.
- Boxes stamped only with “Habanos S.A. – Hecho en Cuba” without the handmade mark usually contain machine-made cigars under “Cuba. Tabaco Mecanizado.”
Optional & Legal Labels
Beyond box codes and EMS, you may see:
- Warranty seals (green Cuban warranty seal across box lid).
- Barcodes and serial numbers.
- Inspector initials or lot stickers (sometimes handwritten inside).
- UK duty stamps and health warnings.
All are part of the effort to ensure quality and combat counterfeiting.
Why It Matters
For cigar lovers, decoding box stamps is about more than curiosity:
- Collectors use codes to establish vintage and value.
- Aficionados look for certain factories and years renowned for exceptional quality.
- UK smokers gain reassurance that EMS-stamped cigars are genuine, fully duty-paid, and properly stored.
Cigar box codes are more than markings—they’re a story. They tell you where your Cohibas were rolled, when your Montecristos left Havana, and whether your Romeo y Julietas are “Totalmente a Mano”.
So next time you pick up a box of Havanas, flip it over. Those little letters and numbers are part of what makes smoking Cuban cigars not just a pleasure—but a tradition.
Browse our EMS-guaranteed Cuban cigar collection and explore the world of authentic Habanos.