2401.20.83.35 - Fire-cured Kentucky and Tennessee

This HTS category, 2401.20.83.35, specifically covers fire-cured tobacco from the Kentucky and Tennessee regions of the United States. This particular curing method imparts a distinct aroma and flavor profile to the tobacco leaves, characterized by a smoky and pungent quality. This classification applies to tobacco that has been stemmed or stripped and then threshed or processed in a similar manner, but has not undergone further refinement into manufactured tobacco products.

Distinguishing this category from its siblings, it is crucial to note the specific "fire-cured" method and the geographical origin of Kentucky and Tennessee. For instance, while 2401.20.83.10 (Flue-cured) and 2401.20.83.20 (Burley) represent different curing processes and tobacco varieties, this code precisely identifies fire-cured tobacco from a designated geographical area. Similarly, 2401.20.83.40, also referencing Kentucky and Tennessee, differentiates itself by classifying dark-air cured tobacco, highlighting the distinct curing process as the primary differentiator.

As this is a leaf node, there are no further subcategories within 2401.20.83.35. Therefore, classification under this code is final for fire-cured Kentucky and Tennessee tobacco that has been stemmed/stripped and threshed/similarly processed, intended for uses other than cigarette production. The specificity of the curing method and origin are the key determinative factors for its precise classification within Chapter 24.