In Cuba, cigars are collected from the factories and stored until Habanos S.A. is ready to ship to markets worldwide; except The United States of America.  Due to the central planning of the Cuban economy and dire economic needs, cigars are often shipped before they stabilize and begin to synergize.  

Outside of Cuba, in the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua, and other cigar producing countries, cigar makers have far more control over when their cigars are shipped to consumers: this level of control allows for optimal aging after production.