2401.20.14.20 - Connecticut shade

This HTS classification, 2401.20.14.20, specifically designates "Connecticut shade" tobacco. This refers to unmanufactured tobacco that has been partly or wholly stemmed or stripped, but not threshed or otherwise similarly processed. The key characteristic for this subcategory is that the tobacco contains over 35 percent wrapper tobacco, and this "Connecticut shade" variety is recognized as a type of wrapper tobacco. It is primarily used for the outer leaf of cigars due to its desirable qualities such as elasticity, thinness, and uniform color, often achieved through specific cultivation methods under shade tents.

This category is distinguished from its sibling, 2401.20.14.40 ("Other"), by its specific identification as "Connecticut shade." While both are classified under "Not threshed or similarly processed" and "Containing over 35 percent wrapper tobacco," the .20 suffix pinpoints a particular, recognized type of wrapper tobacco. This implies that specific customs rulings or industry standards identify "Connecticut shade" as a distinct category warranting its own subclassification, often based on cultivation origin and intended use as a premium cigar wrapper.

As this classification represents a leaf node, there are no further subcategories. The classification is definitive for unmanufactured Connecticut shade wrapper tobacco meeting the stipulated stemming, stripping, and wrapper content criteria. Therefore, any unmanufactured tobacco classified here must strictly adhere to the definition of "Connecticut shade" as recognized within the trade and by customs authorities to ensure accurate import and export declarations.