Reminder to Cuba Travellers....Customs

[El Presidente]

Just a quick reminder to those arriving back with mountains of Customs (and or any cigars from Cuba)

...........FREEZE THEM NOW

If you have placed them in your humidor, get them out. We are all tired when we get back and it is easy to forget. 

Without putting the fear of God into you......without freezing you run a high chance of beetle infestation. 

Better safe than sorry. Customs and general boxes purchased in Cuba is not stock that has seen the HSA Freezing facility. 

[clutch5150]

Rob, would mind spelling out your freezing procedure? How long, box included, thaw proceedure  etc? Thanks

[El Presidente]

I am not fussy. 

Boxes or bundles into Ziplock Bags. 

1 day in fridge. 

5  days in Freezer

cigars out of ziplocks and onto a bench for 1 day. 

Cigars into humidor. 

 

[Ethernut]

I almost forgot! Thanks for the kick under the table!

[ChanceSchmerr]

Agreed. Had all my purchases into the freezer within a day of arriving. Definitely a good reminder for all!

[Habana Mike]

Kelly's already getting pissy about where to keep the ice cream

 

[Cigarsandmalts]

So only cigars purchased in Cuba need to be frozen? What about from FOH or other online retailers?

[Bohn007]

5 minutes ago, Cigarsandmalts said:

So only cigars purchased in Cuba need to be frozen? What about from FOH or other online retailers?

As long as it's a credible source, you should be fine. If you are worried, you will do no damage to the cigars by following Rob's instructions. 

[Fuzz]

Yep. First thing on my list returning home was popping the cigars into the fridge.

[GrouchoMarx]

Why the first day in the fridge? Is dropping the boxes right into the deep freezer a bad idea?

 

[Guest gorob23]

Thanks for the heads up. Good to meet you at opening dinner and Beach, 

 

Rob from L.A. (lisa's Rob  )

[LLC]

Got back from Havana at 2am this morning and by 3 (or was it 4)AM they were in the freezer.


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[chris12381]

Prez, I've been told that, unlike cigars sold for export. cigars sold in Cuba's stores (not just the custom rolled) are not frozen.  I therefore freeze EVERYTHING I buy in Cuba.  Are you able to confirm?    

[SaintMickey®]

This might be as good a post as any to ask...Could someone give a bit of an education how the factories get/keep them bug free for export?

[El Presidente]

7 hours ago, gorob23 said:

Thanks for the heads up. Good to meet you at opening dinner and Beach, 

 

Rob from L.A. (lisa's Rob  )

Great to meet you mate! 

[El Presidente]

On 11/23/2016 at 8:45 PM, GrouchoMarx said:

Why the first day in the fridge? Is dropping the boxes right into the deep freezer a bad idea?

 

I just like to scare the beetles first 

Just my method of doing it. Simply minimising shock in. It is more than likely a load of crap and makes no difference. I was just asked how I do it. 

 

[El Presidente]

3 hours ago, saintmickey said:

This might be as good a post as any to ask...Could someone give a bit of an education how the factories get/keep them bug free for export?

None. 

All exports are shipped from HSA after the freeze and back into their warehouse. Domestic (Cuba) product is a separate operation. 

[SaintMickey®]

@El Presidente Thanks for the reply. While in no way a newbie I am definitely naive I guess because I have NEVER had beetles and I have NEVER frozen my cigars at home.  

The reason I ask is I recently went down the beetle/freezer rabbit hole on the web and came out the other side scared and alone staring at my Habanos waiting for visitors.  Have I been just lucky that I have had no beetles or is Cuban doing a better job the last several years? I really hate the thought that I would have to start doing the who freezer process. Let me be clear I am only talking about cigars for export as I do not go to Cuba. Sorry if this highjacks the thread but I think its "related".

Thanks for your or anyone's reply. Glad to be here.

[Fugu]

11 hours ago, saintmickey said:

This might be as good a post as any to ask...Could someone give a bit of an education how the factories get/keep them bug free for export?

1 hour ago, saintmickey said:

The reason I ask is I recently went down the beetle/freezer rabbit hole on the web and came out the other side scared and alone staring at my Habanos waiting for visitors.

Best keep it to a search on FOH!

Wow, Mickey, I don't get it, member here for more than a decade (@ 9 posts...), while this issue must have been discussed a hundred times. Where have you been so long hibernating??! Seems you've been missing out greatly.   

 

This here has been an extensive, more recent thread:

 

 

[SaintMickey®]

@Fugu I wanted to bring up the topic myself to learn/hear opinions.  I will go back and read past posts (and have) but to that point I am sure that everything has been discussed previously so should we never discuss or answer re-answer questions again?

And I have just read the 3 pages you quoted and as this is a discussion there is not black or white just opinions...lots of them and its good to hear others.

My apologies for bringing up this topic again I just wasn't clear how Habanos S.A. froze them etc.

[Fugu]

3 hours ago, saintmickey said:

so should we never discuss or answer re-answer questions again?

Not at all (also been discussed intensively... ).

Just a little chaffing, as it seemed you were a long-term member here . As I get it now, seems you have neither been "lurking"... My "Best keep it to a search on FOH!" should read as don't mess with searching elsewhere (as you said you searched the web high and low). Not to be interpreted as - do restrict it to searching instead of asking a question! Sometimes you might be directed onto other threads by members, but never anything wrong about inquiring on things.

So enjoy the ride and your rediscovered membership! Welcome and happy smokes!

[SaintMickey®]

The H SA Main Storage/Freezer....I can rest now curiosity killed the cat and all... 

https://lights-sirens-and-cigars.com/2014/10/06/habanos-s-a-cigar-freezing-process-yes-its-real/

 

[Rye]

Just incase you need encouragement. 

IMG_1930.MOV

[el chino]

Thanks 

Ok getting them into the fridge now.

[SinfullyPatient]

A little off topic but I'd rather not start a thread over it.  Would you guys recommend freezing a box from an LCDH?