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New Security Seals for Cuban Cigars

Gregory Mottola
Posted: March 18, 2009

In a continuing effort to thwart the counterfeiting industry, Habanos S.A., the worldwide distributor of Cuban cigars, has introduced a new security seal with additional safety features to validate the authenticity of its highly counterfeited product.

If you're buying a box of Cuban cigars, you should be cognizant of the two new elements added to the official "Republica de Cuba" warranty seal. A holographic label will now be affixed to the right of every warranty and a bar code will appear to the left.

The technologically sophisticated seal is designed to come apart if removed, foiling attempts to reuse one on a fake box.

A bar code will also be included on every box, applied directly next to the warranty seal's coat of arms. The bar code will serve as a customized identification number saved in a database. According to an official Habanos press release, one scan of the bar code will convey relevant information such as brand, size and market destination.

For more on the new security measures, see Tuesday's Cigar Insider.