English Market Selection

EMS stands for 'English Market Selection' a description used in Cuba for over a century to identify the quality of cigars designated for the British market. It is the cornerstone of the UK's long established reputation as the world centre for the finest Havanas.

In 1993 Hunters & Frankau introduced the EMS Stamp. EMS Stamps are applied to boxes of Havanas that have passed a UK quality inspection.

In 1997 the colour of the stamps changed and have continued to do so annually. All packs of Havanas selected for sale in the UK domestic market bear the EMS stamp.

1. Every box has come directly from Habanos S.A. in Cuba to Hunters & Frankau.
2. Every box has been shipped and stored by experts.
3. Every box has passed a UK quality check.
4. All UK Duties have been paid.
5. Every box carries correct UK health warnings.

The EMS stamp is an important safeguard against the growing tide of counterfeit Havanas that find their way into the UK. It is for added security that the colour of the EMS stamp is changed annually.

For boxes of Havana cigars sold sealed we apply an 'H&F Imported Directly from Cuba' stamp. This guarantees that the packs have come through bona fide distribution channels. These stamps are applied to all packs of Havanas destined for Travel Retail and our export markets (Republic of Ireland, Gibraltar and the Channel Islands).

Reproduced with kind permission of Hunters & Frankau (Havana cigar importers with over 200 years experience)