EAN-13 Product Code Since circa late-2010, a EAN-13 European standard product code (and the description of the product) is being added to the rear edge of dress boxes. This number is different from the unique warranty seal number.

Box Seals This section covers box seals that are applied by Habanos before the boxes leave the factory. This Habanos seal has been used since 1994. The seals are typically affixed to the top right-hand corner of the box. The seals fluoresce under ultra-violet black light.

Plastic Cans Plastic Cans containing cellophane sleeved cigars were available in the 1970s.

Metal Tins Metal Tins are either circular or square with push-on lids, with plain or cellophane cigars packed upright or laid flat. This packaging was discontinued in the mid-1960s but reintroduced in 2013 for the new Vegueros packaging.

Aluminium Packs Aluminium flat pocket-sized pack or case, either a hinged or slide unit, usually containing 5 cigars. This style of packaging was discontinued in the mid-1980s. There are references to packs of 50 and 100 in some old catalogues: these likely refer to boxes containing 10 or 20 packs …

Metal Packs A metal, flat, pocket-sized pack or case, usually hinged and typically containing 5 cigars.

Travel Humidors The first Habanos Travel Humidor was released in 2006 with the introduction of the Duty Free and Travel Retail series. Releases have included small leather, timber, and plastic humidors. They usually contain ten regular production cigars.

Box Stamps In addition to the box date codes and factory codes, Cuban cigar boxes have other box stamps. These are hot-ink impact stamped onto the box. Some indentation should be evident, although the depth of this can vary.

Producer’s Name Between 1985 and 1994, Cubatobaco was the authority responsible for the production and marketing of Cuban cigars. Boxes were stamped with their name and stylised tobacco leaf logo. This leaf symbol was later incorporated into the Habanos box sticker (see below). From 1994 to present, “Habanos S.A.” is …

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. Boxes of short filler cigars have been found without this stamp (either old box stock or manufacturing error).