EMS (English Market Selection)
EMS (English Market Selection) is a mark applied to boxes of Cuban cigars imported into the United Kingdom by Hunters & Frankau, signifying that the cigars have passed an additional quality inspection and paid UK duty. Historically, the term denoted the finest grade of Cuban cigars selected specifically for the exacting standards of the British market, a tradition dating back over a century. Today, it serves as a modern guarantee of provenance, condition, and correct taxation for Habanos sold in the UK.
What it means
The EMS stamp is applied to the base of the cigar box in the United Kingdom by Hunters & Frankau, the exclusive distributor of Habanos for the region. Before the stamp is affixed, each box is physically opened and inspected. This check ensures the cigars have not suffered damage or mould during transit from Havana, and that they display the correct construction, wrapper colour consistency, and overall condition expected by discerning collectors.
To deter counterfeiting, the colour of the EMS stamp changes annually. This rotating colour scheme provides an immediate visual reference for the year the box cleared the UK inspection process. It functions as an additional security measure that works in tandem with the standard Cuban box code.
Why it matters when buying
For serious smokers and collectors, the presence of an EMS stamp offers reassurance regarding both authenticity and initial condition. Because Cuban cigars can face variable storage and temperature conditions during international shipping, the UK inspection acts as a rigorous filter. Boxes that fail this quality control—whether due to split wrappers, poor bunching, or signs of improper humidification—are rejected and not released to the UK market.
When acquiring boxes for long-term ageing, the EMS mark indicates that the cigars entered the UK supply chain through the official channel and were deemed structurally sound at the time of import. However, while the EMS stamp guarantees the condition upon arrival in the UK, the subsequent storage environment maintained by the retailer remains the final, crucial factor in preserving the cigars.
Related terms
Hunters & Frankau
At MokaCigar
Every box of Cuban cigars we offer at MokaCigar that originated through the official UK distribution channel carries the correct EMS stamp for its year of import. We inspect each box upon arrival at our climate-controlled humidor, verifying the EMS mark against the factory codes before they are made available. For further details on verifying your boxes, consult our guide on how to spot fake Cuban cigars or browse our current inventory in the shop.