onlinecigarauctions.com

What It Is

Online Cigar Auctions (operated by C.Gars Ltd) is an online auction platform focused on Cuban and rare cigars. Founded in 2009, it originally held in-person auctions in London before moving fully online as demand grew. The platform accepts only aged, rare, or collectible cigars and explicitly rejects newly released products that are widely available on the market, positioning itself as an extremely niche, high-end marketplace.

Core Dimensions

• Platform/Service Type: A vertical B2C/C2C online auction house that connects high-end cigar collectors with buyers.
• Commissions and Fees: Fees are charged on both sides: both buyers and sellers pay an 18% commission on the hammer price, plus 20% VAT on the commission. There is no listing fee. Wire transfer payments incur an additional £20 handling fee. For lots delivered within the UK or collected in person, the hammer price itself is also subject to VAT.
• Supported Markets/Regions: Ships worldwide, but the embargo/restricted-shipping list is very long, covering more than 20 countries including the United States, Canada, France, and Italy. Payments from the United States and settlement in USD are not supported.
• Logistics and Fulfillment: Packing and shipping services are available for an additional fee, and lots can also be collected from the London office. Paid storage services are offered. Some lots are explicitly marked as “not available for shipment to the UK.” Buyers bear full responsibility for shipping delays and customs risks.
• Selection/Supply Chain: Extremely strict standards, accepting only aged and rare cigars in good to excellent condition. Sellers must provide the product name, year, origin, reserve price, and photos. Sealed-box lots are sold as-is, with the buyer assuming the risk.
• Payment Methods: Buyers must settle within 48 hours. Wire transfers and credit/debit cards are supported (credit cards are capped at £5,000 per transaction; PayPal is not supported). Sellers receive payment by cheque or wire transfer within 28 days.

Pricing

It uses a British-style auction model, with all lots subject to a reserve price. In addition to the hammer price, buyers effectively pay: hammer price + 18% buyer’s commission + 20% VAT on the commission (and if shipped to the UK, an additional 20% VAT on the hammer price). The overall premium is high, making it more suitable for high-net-worth buyers.

Pros and Cons

• Pros: Focused on the high-end rare cigar niche; offers professional authentication and valuation services; mature auction mechanism with support for absentee bidding and email bids; provides FAQ in Chinese (Mandarin/Cantonese), making it friendly to Asian collectors.
• Cons: The two-sided 18% commission plus VAT results in very high transaction costs; many restricted-shipping countries, especially the United States; sealed-box lots are non-returnable and sold at the buyer’s risk; new buyers must undergo credit pre-approval, creating a relatively high entry threshold.

Who It’s For

Best suited for high-end collectors/investors who own aged and rare cigar assets (sellers), as well as serious enthusiasts and mature investors seeking discontinued Cuban cigars (buyers). It is not suitable for ordinary consumers or users looking for commonly available cigars.

Access from China

The text does not explicitly mention any network access restrictions for mainland China, but the site provides Mandarin/Cantonese FAQ, suggesting a degree of openness toward Chinese-speaking users. Due to the lack of network connectivity test data, access status is currently unknown.