Product classification
HS code for Stemmed tobacco: 2401.20
Tobacco, partly or wholly stemmed or stripped.
Classification of stemmed tobacco under HS 2401.20
Stemmed tobacco is classified under HS code 2401.20, which falls within Chapter 24 of the Harmonized System. This chapter covers tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes. Heading 2401 is designated for unmanufactured tobacco and tobacco refuse. The subheading 2401.20 specifically addresses tobacco that has been partly or wholly stemmed or stripped. This means the midrib or the "stem" of the leaf has been removed to prepare the leaf for further processing into cigarettes, cigars, or smoking tobacco. The classification depends on the physical state of the leaf; if the leaf remains whole with the stem intact, it would fall under a different subheading. The process of stemming is considered a preliminary step in manufacturing but does not yet render the tobacco a "manufactured" product of heading 2403. This code is essential for customs to track the stage of processing, as stemmed tobacco often carries different duty rates compared to whole-leaf tobacco due to the labor involved in the stripping process.
- Covers
- Flue-cured stemmed tobacco leaves
- Burley tobacco strips
- Partially de-stemmed tobacco leaf fragments
- Wholly stripped oriental tobacco
- Stemmed tobacco intended for cigarette manufacture
- Also under 2401.20
- 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. The most common misclassification is with HS code 2401.10, which is for tobacco that is "not stemmed/stripped." Importers often fail to distinguish between the two when the stem is only partially removed. Another error is classifying this under 2403.10, which is for smoking tobacco. However, 2403.10 is only for tobacco that has been further manufactured (e.g., cut for pipes or rolled). Finally, tobacco refuse, such as stems removed during this process, is classified under 2401.30.
Top exporters and importers of HS 240120 (the code used for stemmed tobacco), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 240120 (the code used for stemmed tobacco) 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.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 240120, not only stemmed tobacco.
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 stemmed tobacco
Brazil splits HS 2401.20 into 5 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 2401.20.10Stemmed tobacco leaf, not dried or fermented
- 2401.20.20Stemmed wrapper tobacco, dried or fermented
- 2401.20.30Stemmed flue-cured Virginia tobacco
- 2401.20.40Stemmed light air-cured Burley tobacco
- 2401.20.90Other stemmed or stripped tobacco
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about stemmed tobacco
What is the HS code for Stemmed tobacco?
The HS code for Stemmed tobacco is 240120 (Tobacco; partly or wholly stemmed or stripped). The HS code for tobacco that has been partly or wholly stemmed or stripped is 2401.20.
How do I classify Stemmed tobacco for customs?
Stemmed tobacco is classified under HS code 240120 — Tobacco; partly or wholly stemmed or stripped. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the difference between HS code 2401.10 and 2401.20?
HS code 2401.10 is for unmanufactured tobacco with the leaf and stem fully intact, while 2401.20 is for tobacco where the midrib or stem has been removed.
Which countries are the top exporters of stemmed tobacco (HS 240120)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 240120 (the code used for stemmed tobacco) 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 stemmed tobacco (HS 240120)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 240120 (the code used for stemmed tobacco) 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.
Is the HS code for Stemmed tobacco the same in all countries?
The base HS code 240120 for Stemmed tobacco is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.
What is the NCM code for stemmed tobacco in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 240120 into 5 NCM codes, so the right one for stemmed tobacco depends on the product's details: 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).