2401.20.85.35 - Fire-cured Kentucky and Tennessee

This HTS classification, 2401.20.85.35, specifically covers fire-cured unmanufactured tobacco, whether or not threshed or similarly processed, that is of the Kentucky and Tennessee varieties. These tobaccos undergo a distinct curing process involving slow, open-flame smoking over several days, which imparts a characteristic smoky aroma and flavor. This method is crucial for developing the desired chemical composition and sensory attributes of the leaf, making it suitable for specific end-uses in the tobacco industry.

Distinguishing this category from its siblings, such as flue-cured (2401.20.85.10), burley (2401.20.85.20), or Maryland (2401.20.85.30) tobaccos, hinges on the specific curing method and the geographical origin. While all are stemmed/stripped and threshed or similarly processed unmanufactured tobacco, fire-cured Kentucky and Tennessee tobacco possesses a unique smoky profile developed through its specialized curing process, setting it apart from tobaccos cured by air, hot air, or direct fire without the distinct smoking element. The term "fire-cured" in this context implies the direct exposure to smoke from burning hardwood.

As this classification represents a leaf node within the HTS, there are no further subcategories. The classification rests on the precise description "Fire-cured Kentucky and Tennessee" and its adherence to additional U.S. note 5 to this chapter and its provisions, indicating that the goods have met specific regulatory or import requirements for this particular type of tobacco. Therefore, classification hinges on verifying the curing method and the origin of the tobacco leaf.