Temporary storage issue

[Boss Hog]

My wife and her friend are popping over to cyprus in June for a girly week in the sun at her villa in Paphos. I've since discovered that there is the local casa de habano up the street from the villa, which looks like a very impressive emporium of cigar porn .Thanks to ramon for the head's up on this one.

I'm already dribbling over what to choose from. which is the least of my worries, what bothers me is that even if I get her to make the purchases the day before she leaves how is she going to store them until they get home and safely tucked up in my humi? Given that the heat over there at that time of the year can be quite relentless.
How much damage can be done in a day in an environment like that? would they require a lot more time resting afterwards?
Could she stick them in the fridge while she's there?
Is there any duty free restrictions coming back from cyprus? is it a 50 stick per person limit? happy days if so, 2 people x 50, I make that about 4 boxes!!

[Robusto]

Great question, Boss.
I've been thinking about protecting cigars in some way on the journey back from Havana.

[cj121]

I don't think you'll have any dramas in the short space of time it'll take to get the little beggars back to ol' blighty mate. Think about the time these spend on containers wafting around the world! Obviously a bit of R&R will be nice. In relation to the fridge thing, long term storage is a no-no as a fridge is actually a remarkably dry place. If it's going to be until she gets on the big bird home, I don't think you'll have any dramas. If anyone has conflicting opinions, I'm sure they'll post up.

That shop looks crap

[Ryan]

Paphos, Cyprus is in the EU so no cigar limit. However travellers "may be asked questions" with more than 200 cigars.
So there you are, an 8 box limit per person.
Give your wife a pack of large ziploc bags before she goes, the LCDH should have them but maybe not.
A box of cigars in a ziploc bag is fine for quite a while.
As for temperature, if her hotel room is air-conditioned, fine.
If not, put them near the bottom of any closet, built-in is better if there is one, in the room, usually the coolest place.
One of those supermarket "cool bags" can be handy to prevent spikes in the temp if you are very concerned.
If the room is very hot and the cigars are there for a few days, you may want to freeze them when they get back.
If the box is more than a year old and well sealed, that is, the kind of box that a beetle could not get into, then there is no chance of a beetle outbreak. Beetle eggs do not stay viable for more than about 9 months.

[cj121]

Great question, Boss.
I've been thinking about protecting cigars in some way on the journey back from Havana.

Stick 'em in your case Bryan, and keep the receipts in case of arsey customs. Jobbus donnus

Make sure they're a little protected physically as baggage handling totally faarked my case on the way out and in to the UK.

[Stevieboy]

Agree with Ryan - Ziploc bags and keep them cool. Pack them inside the suitcase with lots of clothes etc round them for insulation against shocks/cold etc and you'll be fine. I've used this method loads of times and after a few days/weeks resting in the 'dor they're right as rain.

That place looks magic Boss - fill yer boots. I think it would worth trying to get some of the REs (if any) or other unusual stuff -you lucky git

[whisky77]

The herd.

I have to follow the herd on this one Boss.Get them well protected in the suitcase, inside the ziplock and you should not have any problems.

[shed17]

Agree with the ziploc bag. I have also put some damp kitchen towel or tissue in the bag just to keep humidity up, just slightly damp not dripping.

[Stevieboy]

I have also put some damp kitchen towel or tissue in the bag just to keep humidity up, just slightly damp not dripping.

That's a great suggestion...just make sure the smokes don't touch the tissue