So you’re going on vacation to the Caribbean and you want to buy some Cuban cigars. Beware! The streets in Caribbean countries are teeming with black-market smokes, most of which are counterfeit. Over 3 million unwitting vacationers will buy counterfeit Cuban cigars. Here are some hints to help you purchase premium cigars without getting burned.

A box of Havanas will have a warranty seal marked by fine details such as micro-printing, dense colors, serial numbers, and a hidden UV watermark. A Chevron on the box will feature a black silhouette of a tobacco leaf followed by the word “Habanos” printed in bold red letters and highlighted by a yellow/orange color. On the bottom of the box, there should be three hallmarks in this order: “Habanos s.a.” in stylized letters, “HECHO EN CUBA” encircled by a straight sided oval, and “Totalmente a mano” in script, which means totally by hand. These hallmarks are not ink stamped – they are actually branded onto the box. You can feel their depth by running your fingers over them. Also, on the bottom of the box, there should be a factory and date stamp in a code.

The box should show little or no signs of wear and tear. Overly faded, nicked, and scratched boxes are suspect, as many counterfeiters utilize legitimate recycled boxes to sell their phones. Inside the box, there should be a rectangular parchment-like paper with the “Habanos” logo in brown. This paper contains instructions for storage in Spanish, English, French and German.

The cigars themselves should be of uniform color. If there is any variation at all, the darkest ones will be on the left of the box and the lightest on the right. The cigars will be of exact length as specified, and the ring gauge will be specified as well. Cuban corojo wrappers are finely veined, if at all. All ringed Cubans should have tight clean bands with good color and embossing and the word “Habana” on them. Signs of wear, creases, or glue stains indicate rebanding onto other cigars. The foot of the cigar should be cut cleanly and evenly with no chipping.

Inspect the cap of each cigar. Havana Parejos have a finely finished cap, commonly referred to as the “triple cap.” You can see three fine lines from the flagging, which is wound around the head of the cigar. Figurados are finished with a “switch back” flag. The wrapper is rolled to the very tip of the head, trimmed to a thin strip, and then wound back in the same direction down the cigar.

Do not buy Havanas from anyone who solicits you, and do not purchase cigars billed as “special edition,” “anniversary issue,” or any other specialty type.

Enjoy your Caribbean vacation or cruise, and remember the old adage, “Buyer Beware.”

PROHIBITIONS on Cuban cigars: There is a total ban on the importation of Cuban cigars and all goods of Cuban origin into the United States. This applies to any U.S. traveler making purchases at duty-free shops. It is illegal to bring into the U.S., Cuban cigars acquired in other countries, such as Canada, the United Kingdom, or Mexico. This rule applies whether the cigars were purchased or received as a gift, and extends to Havanas offered for sale over the Internet or through a catalog.