2401.10.95.15 - Dark-air cured Kentucky and Tennessee

This HTS classification covers unmanufactured tobacco, specifically the "dark-air cured" varieties originating from Kentucky and Tennessee. This designation is crucial as it distinguishes these tobaccos based on their specific curing method, a key determinant in their chemical composition, aroma, and suitability for different end uses within the tobacco industry. These are essentially raw tobacco leaves that have not undergone the stemming or stripping process, meaning the central leaf stem is still present.

The primary distinction between this category and its siblings lies in the curing process. While other categories at this level might include "fire-cured" or "sun-cured" tobaccos, this node is exclusively for those cured using a dark-air curing method. This process involves hanging the tobacco leaves in well-ventilated barns, allowing them to dry slowly through natural air circulation, often in darker conditions that promote the development of rich, earthy, and sometimes slightly smoky flavor profiles. This contrasts with fire-curing, which involves direct exposure to smoke from burning hardwoods, imparting a more intense smoky character.

As a leaf node, 2401.10.95.15 represents the most granular level of classification for this specific type of tobacco. Further subdivisions do not exist under this code, meaning that once a tobacco is identified as dark-air cured Kentucky and Tennessee, and meets the preceding criteria of being unmanufactured, unstemmed/unstripped, and not containing wrapper tobacco or not over 35% wrapper tobacco, it falls directly into this classification. This precise classification is vital for accurate duty assessment and trade statistics.