Turkish Basma Cigarette Leaf from China

Turkish Basma is a sun-cured Oriental tobacco leaf prized for its aromatic qualities and used specifically in cigarette blending. This unstemmed, unstripped leaf falls under HTS 2401.10.44.00 as cigarette leaf of the Oriental or Turkish type, not containing wrapper tobacco or over 35% wrapper. It is threshed but remains in whole leaf form for processing into cigarettes.

Duty Rate — China → United States

35%

Rate breakdown

9903.03.0110%Except for products described in headings 9903.03.02–9903.03.11, articles the product of any country, as provided for in subdivision (aa) of U.S. note 2 to this subchapter
9903.88.0325%Except as provided in headings 9903.88.13, 9903.88.18, 9903.88.33, 9903.88.34, 9903.88.35, 9903.88.36, 9903.88.37, 9903.88.38, 9903.88.40, 9903.88.41, 9903.88.43, 9903.88.45, 9903.88.46, 9903.88.48, 9903.88.56, 9903.88.64, 9903.88.66, 9903.88.67, 9903.88.68, or 9903.88.69, articles the product of China, as provided for in U.S. note 20(e) to this subchapter and as provided for in the subheadings enumerated in U.S. note 20(f)

Import Tips

Verify origin country quota availability under U.S

Note 5 as Turkey falls under 'Other countries or areas' (3,000 metric tons annually); exceedance shifts to higher duty rates

Provide phytosanitary certificates confirming no pests or diseases, as CBP requires documentation for agricultural products

Ensure proper declaration of moisture content and leaf type to avoid reclassification as stemmed tobacco