2401.20.85.50 - Virginia fire-cured

This HTS category, 2401.20.85.50, specifically classifies "Virginia fire-cured" unmanufactured tobacco. This designation applies to tobacco that has undergone a curing process utilizing smoke from hardwoods, which imparts a distinct smoky aroma and flavor. The leaves are typically harvested and then hung in specially constructed barns where smoldering fires are maintained, gradually drying the tobacco and infusing it with smoky characteristics. This method differs significantly from other curing techniques that rely on air, sun, or artificial heat.

Distinguishing this classification from its siblings is crucial for accurate reporting. For instance, while "Virginia fire-cured" shares the "fire-cured" descriptor with "Fire-cured Kentucky and Tennessee" (2401.20.85.35), the latter is a more geographically specific designation. Other siblings like "Flue-cured" (2401.20.85.10) utilize controlled hot air without smoke, "Burley" (2401.20.85.20) is air-cured and typically lighter, and "Maryland" (2401.20.85.30) is also air-cured, often with a milder profile. The key differentiator here is the specific mention of "Virginia fire-cured" as a distinct type within the broader fire-cured category, acknowledging regional curing nuances.

As this is a leaf node, there are no further subcategories within HTS 2401.20.85.50. Therefore, the focus for classification within this specific code is on confirming that the unmanufactured tobacco is indeed stemmed or stripped, threshed or similarly processed, falls under the "other" subheadings at higher levels, and importantly, meets the criteria for Virginia fire-cured tobacco, often determined by its characteristic color, aroma, and residual smoking properties imparted by the fire-curing method, and entered pursuant to additional U.S. note 5 to this chapter.