Cigar binder and filler
Unmanufactured tobacco (whether or not threshed or similarly processed); tobacco refuse: > Tobacco, not stemmed/stripped: > Not containing wrapper tobacco, or not containing over 35 percent wrapper tobacco: > Cigar binder and filler
Duty Rate (from China)
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
Except as provided in headings 9903.88.39, 9903.88.42, 9903.88.44, 9903.88.47, 9903.88.49, 9903.88.51, 9903.88.53, 9903.88.55, 9903.88.57, 9903.88.65, 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(r) to this subchapter and as provided for in the subheadings enumerated in U.S. note 20(s)
Subheadings
Products classified under HTS 2401.10.53
Nicaraguan Criollo Cigar Binder Tobacco
Unstemmed Criollo tobacco leaves from Nicaragua, specifically selected for use as binder in premium cigar production. These leaves provide structural integrity to the cigar bunch without being used as the outermost wrapper. Classified under HTS 2401.10.53 as unmanufactured, not stemmed/stripped cigar binder tobacco not containing wrapper.
Dominican Olor Cigar Filler Tobacco
Whole, unstemmed Olor tobacco leaves from the Dominican Republic, destined for the filler core of handmade cigars. This mid-vein leaf variety offers balanced flavor and burn characteristics essential for cigar interiors. Falls under 2401.10.53 as unmanufactured cigar filler not exceeding 35% wrapper content.
Honduran Piloto Cubano Cigar Binder Leaf
Unstripped Piloto Cubano tobacco from Honduras, processed for binder leaf in robusto and churchill cigar sizes. Provides elasticity and adhesion for bunching long-filler tobaccos. HTS 2401.10.53 applies to this unmanufactured, wrapper-free cigar binder.
Ecuadorian Connecticut Broadleaf Filler
Broadleaf variety Connecticut-seed tobacco grown in Ecuador, unstemmed for cigar filler blends. Known for rich, oily texture ideal for potting strength in figurado cigars. Classified 2401.10.53 as not containing over 35% wrapper.
Brazilian Mata Fina Cigar Filler Tobacco
Air-cured Mata Fina leaves from Brazil's Bahia region, unstemmed for premium cigar filler. Offers spicy, earthy notes for longfiller bunching. HTS 2401.10.53 for unmanufactured cigar filler under 35% wrapper threshold.
Mexican San Andres Cigar Binder
San Andres Negro binder leaves from Mexico's Valle de Guadalupe, unstripped for maduro cigar binding. Provides dark, maduro wrapper adhesion in bunch construction. 2401.10.53 as cigar binder without wrapper content.
Philippine Burley Cigar Filler
Burley-type tobacco from Philippine highlands, unstemmed for cigar filler in short-filler machine-made cigars. Absorbs casing flavors effectively. Classifies 2401.10.53 as non-wrapper cigar filler.
Indonesian Kretek Filler Tobacco
Voema tobacco from Java, unstripped for clove cigarette (kretek) filler though used in cigars. Provides aromatic base for spice blending. HTS 2401.10.53 despite kretek association due to cigar end-use.