HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2401.20 – Tobacco; partly or wholly stemmed or stripped
HS code 2401.20 is the 6-digit subheading for tobacco, partly or wholly stemmed or stripped. It is used for stemmed tobacco leaves, stripped tobacco leaves, threshed tobacco, cut rag tobacco (partially processed) and tobacco lamina.
What HS 2401.20 covers
This HS code covers tobacco leaves that have undergone initial processing, specifically being partly or wholly stemmed or stripped. Stemming involves removing the central vein (midrib) from the leaf, which reduces weight, bulk, and makes the tobacco easier to handle and process. This form of tobacco is a crucial intermediate product in the manufacturing chain for cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco goods. Exporters are often countries that not only cultivate tobacco but also have the infrastructure for primary processing, such as Brazil, the USA, and India. Importers are typically global tobacco manufacturers located in various countries, including the EU, China, and Japan. Trade volumes are substantial, and the product is subject to the same stringent regulations, taxes, and health considerations as other forms of tobacco, reflecting its role in the final product.
- Covers
- Stemmed tobacco leaves
- Stripped tobacco leaves
- Threshed tobacco
- Cut rag tobacco (partially processed)
- Tobacco lamina
- Processed burley tobacco
- Processed Virginia tobacco.
- Examples
- Philip Morris International processed tobacco
- British American Tobacco stemmed leaf
- Japan Tobacco International stripped tobacco
- specific grades of threshed tobacco
- Altria Group processed tobacco.
Codes often confused with 2401.20
Common mistake. Often confused with 240110 (unstemmed tobacco) if the level of processing is not correctly assessed, or 240130 (tobacco refuse) if small pieces are mistaken for waste rather than processed leaf.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 240120, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 240120 in UN Comtrade data was Brazil, with 26% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 17% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Brazil $3.0B 26% of world exports
- 2 Zimbabwe* ~$1.3B 11% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 India $1.3B 11% of world exports
World total: $11.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $1.9B 17% of world imports
- 2 Indonesia $1.1B 9.5% of world imports
- 3 Germany $999M 8.7% of world imports
World total: $11.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Brazil NCM codes for 2401.20 5
Brazil splits HS 2401.20 into 5 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 2401.20.10 Stemmed tobacco leaf, not dried or fermentedEm folhas, sem secar nem fermentar
- 2401.20.20 Stemmed wrapper tobacco, dried or fermentedEm folhas secas ou fermentadas tipo capeiro
- 2401.20.30 Stemmed flue-cured Virginia tobaccoEm folhas secas em secador de ar quente (flue cured), do tipo Virgínia
- 2401.20.40 Stemmed light air-cured Burley tobaccoEm folhas secas (light air cured), do tipo Burley
- 2401.20.90 Other stemmed or stripped tobaccoOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 24.01 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2401.20
What is HS code 240120?
HS code 240120 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Tobacco; partly or wholly stemmed or stripped. This HS code covers tobacco leaves that have undergone initial processing, specifically being partly or wholly stemmed or stripped. Stemming involves removing the central vein (midrib) from the leaf, which reduces weight, bulk, and makes the tobacco easier to handle and process. This form of tobacco is a crucial intermediate product in the manufacturing chain for cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco goods. Exporters are often countries that not only cultivate tobacco but also have the infrastructure for primary processing, such as Brazil, the USA, and India. Importers are typically global tobacco manufacturers located in various countries, including the EU, China, and Japan. Trade volumes are substantial, and the product is subject to the same stringent regulations, taxes, and health considerations as other forms of tobacco, reflecting its role in the final product.
What products fall under HS code 240120?
Stemmed tobacco leaves, stripped tobacco leaves, threshed tobacco, cut rag tobacco (partially processed), tobacco lamina, processed burley tobacco, processed Virginia tobacco.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 240120?
Often confused with 240110 (unstemmed tobacco) if the level of processing is not correctly assessed, or 240130 (tobacco refuse) if small pieces are mistaken for waste rather than processed leaf.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 240120?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 240120 in UN Comtrade data were Brazil ($3.0B, 26% of world exports), Zimbabwe (about $1.3B) and India ($1.3B). World exports came to about $11.4B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 240120?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 240120 in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.9B, 17% of world imports), Indonesia ($1.1B) and Germany ($999M). World imports came to about $11.5B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
How is HS code 240120 structured?
HS code 240120 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (24) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (01) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 240120?
Brazil splits HS code 240120 into 5 NCM codes: 2401.20.10 (Stemmed tobacco leaf, not dried or fermented), 2401.20.20 (Stemmed wrapper tobacco, dried or fermented), 2401.20.30 (Stemmed flue-cured Virginia tobacco), 2401.20.40 (Stemmed light air-cured Burley tobacco), 2401.20.90 (Other stemmed or stripped tobacco). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.