We will start this article with some shocking news:

Did you know that in Romania there are 5 times more cigars Cubans than Cuba produces in a year?

(1) Introduction into or removal from the country, by any means means, goods or merchandise, through places other than those established for customs control, constitutes the crime of smuggling and is punishable with imprisonment from 2 to 7 years and the prohibition of certain rights.

When we think of Cuba, several elements come to mind: Fidel Castro, rum, socialism, cigars. The latter are produced later of approx. 500 maneuvers made with carefully grown tobacco on the famous island. Yes estimates that the number of fake cigars sold far exceeds the of the original ones. We have all received or heard from friends that the praise of the cigars “stolen from the factory”, brought by the grandmother, the aunt, the dog, or various invertebrates – at a price of nothing. We also deliver – free of charge – o information: NOTHING comes out of any factory. Absolutely none. 0 – zero. The crowd cheered. These are all legends. And fake cigars.

First of all, we need to clarify what a counterfeit cigar means. These are fake when they are labeled and packaged with the logo of a famous brand, misleading the buyer.

Cigarettes under the Habano umbrella are produced from a single tobacco cultivated in a certain region of Cuba, according to high quality standards, many years of maturation.

Think champagne. There are many sparkling wines, but only those made from grapes grown in the specific region of France can constitutes champagne.

Counterfeit cigars are rolled from Cuban tobacco (but mostly Dominican or none of those). So, you can buy from the street a box of Cohiba for about $50, when normally they would not could be found under $350. Realize that it is not even remotely the same product.

Each week we will write a detailed article for each brand of cigars separately, so that you learn how to choose the original cigars.

In Romania there is only one importing company Cuban cigars. It works with several authorized distributors – online and physical stores. If those companies do not have the data displayed on websites, you can contact the importing company and inquire if a certain trader is authorized/recognized or not. Any other product is counterfeit, respectively any other trader is fake.

Having said that:

1. Do not buy cigars from unauthorized persons or places.
2. If you are not issued an invoice, I am 100% sure that the product is fake – because it does not have a certificate of origin.

On a different note, please note that the import and marketing of luxury tobacco involves additional costs for companies. It is a major offense to the 300 people who work for your cigar, as well as to the companies or to the people who consume original products. For the work of people who pay the right price – often infinitely higher – for an original product. Smuggling is a crime and is punishable according to the law.

The offense of contraband, provided by art. 270 of the Customs Code, is criminalized in view preventing and combating unfair competition towards Union producers European, but also in order to prevent the loss of tax revenues driven by fraudulent imports that endanger both resources member states. 

Processed tobacco products are assimilated, according to art. 266 para. (1) point 7 of the Fiscal Code, excisable products and have a fiscal regime differently, being subject, in accordance with art. 338 lit. b) from the same code, regime excise duties at the time of their import into the territory of the European Union. Of that, according to art. 612 of the Regulation on the application of the Customs Code of Romania, “Individuals can enter or withdraw from the country non-commercial goods, within the limits and conditions provided by law.”

Collection facts, holding, producing, transporting, receiving, storing, dealing and selling a of tobacco falls within the scope of the criminal offense, being regulated by rules without equivocal, the punishment for committing the offense provided for by art. 270 para. (3) from Law no. 86/2006.

(1) Introduction into or removal from the country, by any means means, goods or merchandise, through places other than those established for customs control, constitutes the crime of smuggling and is punishable with imprisonment from 2 to 7 years and the prohibition of certain rights.