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SITCSection 1
U.S. imports of tobacco, wholly or partly stemmed or stripped (SITC 12120) totaled $36.3M in April 2026, traded with 27 countries.
Importers of Tobacco, Wholly or Partly Stemmed or Stripped paid $3.3M in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 11% on $29.7M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Tobacco, Wholly or Partly Stemmed or Stripped imports of $36.3M in April 2026 ran 18% below the year-to-date monthly average of $44.1M.
Last updated: April 2026 dataStemmed or stripped tobacco leaf has undergone mechanical or manual removal of the midrib, producing a product with more uniform combustion properties and higher usable leaf content per unit weight — making it the preferred raw input for most large-scale cigarette manufacturing. The degree of stemming (wholly vs. partly) affects moisture retention and blending flexibility, and buyers typically specify minimum stem-free content thresholds in supply contracts. FDA CTP oversight applies at import, and importers should be prepared for port-of-entry examination and documentation of foreign supplier registration.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
Wholly stemmed tobacco has had the central midrib fully removed, yielding a cleaner, more uniform lamina used in premium cigarette blends. Partly stemmed tobacco retains some stem material, which can affect burn rate and moisture content. Manufacturers specify the degree of stemming based on their blending formulas and equipment tolerances.
Stemmed and unstemmed tobacco are classified under separate SITC and HTS headings, and their applicable duty rates differ. Importers should confirm the correct 10-digit HTS classification based on the actual degree of stemming, as misclassification between these two categories is a common audit finding. Consulting a licensed customs broker is advisable given the classification sensitivity.
| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| BELGIUM | -- | $17.9M | +$17.9M |
| DOMINICAN REPUBLIC | $6.7M | $7.7M | +$1.0M |
| BRAZIL | $12.7M | -- | -$12.7M |
| PORTUGAL | -- | $12.0M | +$12.0M |
| PHILIPPINES | $8.4M | -- | -$8.4M |
Supplier Network
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Monthly import values over time