Expert: James Yee - 5/19/2011

Question
QUESTION: I have doing alot of research on Cuban cigars.  I am fairly new but have learnt alot on my one.  It seems many sites show pictures of "fake" cigar boxes.  From my understanding, the government seal is always on the lower left corner, crossing at the shield, and the Habano sticker in the top right corner.  I have numerous pics in varies places.  I have been told the labels could be in either corner depending on the box design?  If the box looks good, and you think store is legit, how can you tell if the seals can be on either side?  I thought I had it all figured out.  Maybe I don't.  Is there a sight that shows the proper markings on cuban cigars?

ANSWER: Hi Joe,

The warranty seal is always placed on the lower left corner.  Boxes prior to 2009 will have the warranty label affixed so that the lid forms a crease in the center of the coat of arms shield.  Boxes produced after 2009 will have the new warranty sticker (the ones with the serial number and barcode) affixed so that the lid crease is in the center of the coat of arms again but the barcode is visible on the front of the box.  Basically, the label is applied facing the opposite direction now.  The crease is still over the coat of arms but the serial number can now be visible on the front of the box (which makes it easier to read when all the boxes are stacked on top of each other) in a store or warehouse.

The Habanos chevron sticker is always placed in the upper right corner and the government warranty label is in the lower left corner.  For vintage boxes (pre-1900's), the warranty label may be affixed on the lower right side but all modern boxes now will have the government seal on the lower left side.

For more information on Cuban cigars and box packaging, look here: http://www.cubancigarwebsite.com/info-packaging.htm  This is a very helpful website that contains a lot of information on Cuban cigars.

I hope this helps!  If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.

Regards,
James

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello

Thats exactly what I have read and understood from that sight.  I am just realizing how large the fake cigar industry is.  Its amazing.  I have my local store displaying siglo boxes with the warranty seal in the lower right and the Habano sticker in the top left. According to them, this is how the siglo (cabinet style slider) box comes and the display box (hinged) is the opposite as you have stated.  I have been following what you have said and what I have found on the net.  I still find it amazing the counterfeiting going on in our local stores.  I guess I have much more to learn.  I have attached the box in question.

Thanks Again.

Answer
Hi Joe,

In your last email, you didn't mention SLBs (slide lid boxes) so I thought you were talking about traditional dress boxes.  For SLBs, the warranty label and chevron sticker are indeed placed in the locations shown in your photograph.  This label placement variation is only done for cabinet SLBs.  I have genuine Cohiba and Hoyo de Monterrey robustos and Hoyo double coronas in cabinet SLBs (purchased from LCDH Toronto) that have labels in that position so I can confirm that it's genuine.  This is done because it allows markings on the sides of the box (ie: logo, brand name, cigar name, etc.) to be visible when the boxes are stacked (such as in a store or warehouse.)

I hope this helps.  As always, if you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.

Regards,
James