Tis the season that a lot of cigars are being shipped. Unfortunately, this is also the season for cold temperatures and low humidities.
When shipping cigars please think about packaging. There is nothing more disapointing than getting a box of premium cigars and finding dried cracked wrappers. Cigars without cellophane are particularly succeptible to damage.
A ziploc bag around the sticks works wonders protecting them from the environment. A Boveda pack is also great if you want a little extra security.
Also, coffins may protect a cigar in your humidor, but the hard wooden walls are like sandpaper during the bouncing around that the cigars are subjected to during shipping. Put some padding in there, or take the cigar out and put it into a finger bag or other ziploc closed bag.
A public service announcement from your friendly neighborhood Jackal
Good point. Thanks brother.
I always wrap naked cigars in cellophane and I like to use those dollar pillows with PG solution. I always squeeze them a bit to make sure they won't leak before putting them in the bag and sometimes I will double bag.
Very nice reminder. After the Illusione fiasco when I shipped to you, I make sure that the cigars are always protected in sealed bags.
:bigthumbs:
Strategically placed paper towels in one of the small post office shipping boxes seem to work fairly well if the cigars are safely secured in a zip lock bag. You don't have to overstuff it though. As long as they don't rattle around when you give the box a gentle shake they will survive the trip. Unless you expect the shipping time to be in excess of a week I don't see the need to include a humidifying pack.
QuoteKen Kelley - 12/12/2013 6:58 PM
Strategically placed paper towels in one of the small post office shipping boxes seem to work fairly well if the cigars are safely secured in a zip lock bag. You don't have to overstuff it though. As long as they don't rattle around when you give the box a gentle shake they will survive the trip. Unless you expect the shipping time to be in excess of a week I don't see the need to include a humidifying pack.
Just because you're cheap doesn't mean we can't throw in a humi-pack!
:biggrin:
QuoteKen Kelley - 12/12/2013 6:58 PM
Unless you expect the shipping time to be in excess of a week I don't see the need to include a humidifying pack.
I agree. It isn't a cost factor (I have some crazy amount of water pillows), I just don't see it as necessary for such a short trip. Just my .02.
Quotenwb - 12/12/2013 4:30 PM
QuoteKen Kelley - 12/12/2013 6:58 PM
Unless you expect the shipping time to be in excess of a week I don't see the need to include a humidifying pack.
I agree. It isn't a cost factor (I have some crazy amount of water pillows), I just don't see it as necessary for such a short trip. Just my .02.
My experience is even with holiday shipping delays, a ziploc will protect sticks just fine. If you are shipping overseas, I would go with a humi pillow or Boveda.
Uncelloed sticks can, and often will, rub together. Finger bags are great for shipping them.
QuoteJackal - 12/12/2013 9:13 PM Quotenwb - 12/12/2013 4:30 PM QuoteKen Kelley - 12/12/2013 6:58 PM Unless you expect the shipping time to be in excess of a week I don't see the need to include a humidifying pack.
I agree. It isn't a cost factor (I have some crazy amount of water pillows), I just don't see it as necessary for such a short trip. Just my .02.
My experience is even with holiday shipping delays, a ziploc will protect sticks just fine. If you are shipping overseas, I would go with a humi pillow or Boveda. Uncelloed sticks can, and often will, rub together. Finger bags are great for shipping them.
then if I ever shop to one of y'all I won't include one...;-)
QuoteJackal - 12/12/2013 9:13 PM
Uncelloed sticks can, and often will, rub together. Finger bags are great for shipping them.
Yep! I love the finger bags - that way I don't have to collect cellos from smoked cigars.
Oh how right you are! Great advice
I find the sealable Rubbermaid containers are great for shipping cigars. Toss in a small Boveda's and they travel well. The small containers can be found at any "dollar" store for $0.50 or less and they fit nicely into a small PM box.
I think the temp/humidity swing from your source to the destination may need to be factored in as well when considering whether to add humidity pack. I shipped tats in finger bags from Texas to New York this winter. No humidity pack, the wrappers split.
Few weeks later sent same cigar, same finger bags, plus humidity pack...no issues.
I should have looked at this earlier. I sent out two boxes today (USPS small flat rate) with the cigars well protected in ziplock bags, but no humi-pak. Boveda packs are good, but those other ones sometimes leak, so i'm leary about adding them to the box. Anyway, hopefully they will get to their destinations with no issues.