Wholesale Cuban Cigars

Wholesale & Partnership—Access Over Discounts

At Cuban Cigar Group, we no longer operate under the traditional wholesale model. The market has shifted. Since COVID, cigar supplies have become scarce, unpredictable, and highly competitive. What once was routine sourcing is now a race against time and demand.

Why We Opened in Cuba

To add to the challenge, Cuba itself accounts for only 5–7% of global Cuban cigar sales, based on data released annually at the Habanos Festival. Yet within that small percentage lies a remarkably good selection—often including boxes and vitolas that rarely make it to retail shelves worldwide. That’s exactly why we opened our shop in Havana back in 2008: to ensure access to a broader, more exclusive range of cigars—not just the ones allocated through our office in Switzerland, which are normally Global Brands, Volume Brands, and a few Value Brands, but the hidden gems that never leave the island and are only available to those who are there when they land.

A Market of Luxury, Not Surplus

The remaining supply is shipped directly to retailers around the world, leaving very little behind for those operating inside Cuba. In this environment, we’re not dealing with surplus—we’re competing for the final allocations of a global luxury. And without the right relationships and strategy, most retailers are left behind, watching the finest cigars disappear before they ever reach the shelf.

A Smarter Model: First Access with Confidence

Instead of chasing discounts, we offer something far more valuable: first access. With a $5,000 retainer, you secure the ability to purchase high-demand cigars the moment they become available—before they disappear from the market. This isn’t a fee; it’s credit, applied only when your selected cigars are secured.

Our pricing matches standard retail—you’re not paying less, but you are getting what others can’t: a guaranteed chance to buy inventory that typically sells out in hours.

The Competitive Reality on the Ground

Here’s the reality. Chinese retailers have full-time employees living in Cuba. Their only job is to monitor every major cigar shop and buy up to 100 boxes the moment fresh stock hits the shelves. In most cases, cigar shops across the island are cleared out within two hours of receiving new inventory.

How We Know—Because We Helped Build the Playbook

We know this firsthand—because we were doing it for them before they had full-time employees on the ground. For years, we helped Chinese companies secure inventory quickly and discreetly, tracking arrivals and locking in boxes when they hit the shelves. They’ve since built their own in-country teams to replicate what we once managed on their behalf. That experience is what shaped our model—and it’s why we know exactly how this market moves.

The Role of Habanos S.A. and Tabacalera

Thanks to our long-standing relationships with Habanos S.A. and Tabacalera, you even have a chance to get these cigars in the first place. Only authorized cigar shops are allowed to sell Cuban cigars—without this structure, large buyers would bypass shops entirely.

Experience the Habanos Festival

Come to Cuba during the Habanos Festival, and you’ll see the reality up close—most of the attendees are Chinese buyers, many of whom are the same ones clearing out cigar shops across the island. Tickets to this exclusive event sell out quickly, often snapped up within hours of release.

We can help you secure your place. While official ticket prices typically range from $3,800 to $4,600, we simplify the process by offering them at a flat rate of $5,000. This eliminates back-and-forth and allows us to purchase your access as soon as tickets become available—before they disappear from the market.

Over the five-day event, each attendee receives rare cigars and limited-edition accessories—many of which are valued well beyond the cost of admission. In fact, tickets have been resold for up to three times their original price. In one case, a single night’s entry was resold for the equivalent of the full five-day package, including the gala dinner. The demand isn’t just for cigars—it’s for access.

If you can’t attend in person, we also offer a proxy service, where we’ll go on your behalf to collect your cigars, exclusive gifts, and any attendee-only releases. You get the same rewards—without having to leave home. Check out our Events and Tours Page.

This is the reality of today’s cigar industry. It’s not just about who can pay—it’s about who can act first. And we’ve built a model that ensures you don’t just keep up—you stay ahead.