2401.20.85.20 - Burley

This HTS classification, 2401.20.85.20, specifically covers "Burley" unmanufactured tobacco. This refers to tobacco leaves that have been stemmed or stripped, and then threshed or similarly processed. Threshing or similar processing involves breaking down the tobacco leaves into smaller pieces or strips, making them more suitable for various downstream uses, particularly in cigarette manufacturing. The "Other" under this sub-level, along with the additional U.S. note requirement, signifies that this category is for Burley tobacco that does not fall into the more specific enumerated categories at this same level of detail, and that meets specific import conditions outlined in the additional U.S. note.

This classification distinguishes Burley tobacco from other types of threshed or similarly processed, stemmed/stripped unmanufactured tobacco like Flue-cured (2401.20.85.10), Maryland (2401.20.85.30), and various fire-cured and dark-air cured varieties. While all these share the characteristics of being unmanufactured, stemmed/stripped, and threshed, they are differentiated by their distinct curing processes, genetic varieties, and resulting chemical and physical properties. Burley tobacco is typically air-cured, resulting in a lighter color and a less sweet, more neutral flavor profile compared to flue-cured varieties, and it possesses different burning characteristics and physical structure than fire-cured or dark-air cured tobaccos.

As this is a leaf node within the HTS database, there are no further subcategories under 2401.20.85.20. Therefore, the classification is complete at this level, and importers must ensure their Burley tobacco meets all the stipulated processing requirements (stemmed/stripped, threshed/similarly processed) and any specific entry provisions outlined in additional U.S. note 5 to Chapter 24 to correctly utilize this code.