Cuban cigar group Habanos has developed a comprehensive system to guarantee the authenticity and quality of its products.
The solution, which integrates physical and digital elements, is in response to increasing concerns about counterfeit goods in the luxury sector, protecting both consumer trust and brand reputation.
Citing data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the company noted that counterfeit products account for 3.3% of global trade.
Habanos S.A. Operational Marketing Department Director Beatriz Garrido and Deputy Director Álex Fernández-Blanco said: “Quality and authenticity are essential values for our brands, and we want to ensure that every Habano reaching aficionados provides a real and unique experience.”
Certified by the Protected Appellations of Origin, all Habanos cigars are made with tobacco sourced solely from specific Cuban regions, meeting stringent quality criteria. This endorsement highlights the product’s exclusivity and reinforces the authenticity of its origin.
All Habanos cases and boxes are marked with the Cuban National Warranty Seal, including holograms, unique barcodes, microdots visible only through scanners and a self-destructing design that prevents reuse in case of tampering.
Since 1994, this sticker in the upper right corner of the packaging has featured the inscription ‘Protected Appellations of Origin’.
The bottom of the box is also an important element in the authentication process, each hot-stamped with ‘Hecho en Cuba’.
Since 1989, Long Filler Habanos packaging also bears the text ‘Totally Handmade’, and Short Filler packaging includes the ‘TC’ mark.
To enhance the process, Habanos has integrated NFC technology in some of its most exclusive offerings in recent years, allowing users to verify the authenticity of the product using a mobile device.
In compliant markets, users can access detailed product information, such as its origin and tasting notes, and even provide a product rating.
Habanos and its distributors have also rolled out market-specific distinctive seals as an added security measure, allowing buyers to confirm that the products are distributed specifically for their market.
The latest authenticity feature introduced by Habanos is the Cuban domestic market mark, designed to safeguard products sold in the country.
This seal is made with a high-quality adhesive that can withstand extreme temperatures and humidity, with brown chosen as the featured colour for 2025. ✈
