Loading...
SITCSection 1
U.S. exports of cigars, cheroots, cigarillos & cigarettes of tobacco substitutes (SITC 12231) totaled $854K in July 2026.
Importers of Cigars, Cheroots, Cigarillos & Cigarettes of Tobacco Substitutes paid $16K in duties in July 2026 — an effective duty rate of 11% on $142K in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: July 2026 dataSmoke products in cigar, cheroot, cigarillo, and cigarette form made entirely or primarily from tobacco substitutes — such as herbal blends, lettuce leaf, or other non-tobacco plant materials — occupy a regulatory gray zone that has attracted increasing FDA scrutiny as the agency works to define the boundaries of its tobacco product jurisdiction. Products that contain no tobacco or nicotine derived from tobacco may fall outside FDA CTP authority but could still be subject to FTC oversight regarding health claims. Importers should conduct a careful regulatory analysis before entry, as the applicable compliance pathway depends heavily on the specific substitute material and any nicotine content.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
17 shipments/mo
Basic heading 20 of 21 in section 1
Basic heading 12231 · $142K of $2.4B
FDA's jurisdiction under the Tobacco Control Act extends to products made or derived from tobacco. Products made entirely from non-tobacco plant materials with no nicotine derived from tobacco may fall outside FDA CTP's authority, but the regulatory boundary is not always clear-cut. Importers should obtain a legal opinion on FDA jurisdiction before importing, particularly for novel substitute materials, to avoid potential enforcement action.
Federal excise tax on tobacco products applies to articles that meet the statutory definition of cigarettes, cigars, or other tobacco products. Whether a tobacco-substitute product triggers excise tax depends on its composition and how TTB classifies it. Importers should request a TTB ruling or consult a licensed customs broker with tobacco expertise before assuming these products are excise-tax-exempt.
Supplier Network
Get discovered by U.S. importers searching for HS 12231 — Cigars, Cheroots, Cigarillos & Cigarettes of Tobacco Substitutes. Be the first supplier listed.
Exports · July 2026
destination
Nigeria and Mexico together take 73% of it.
customs district
Census does not publish district detail for this classification system.
origin
Census does not publish state detail for this classification system.
entry
Census does not publish port detail for this classification system.
ImportsExports
Imports
$142KYoY · Pro
Exports
$854KYoY · Pro
12-mo low · imports
YoY · ProThrough July 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.