Tobacco and manufactured tobacco… (chapter 24): which countries import it
Chapter 24 covers tobacco, cigars, cigarettes and nicotine products intended for inhalation or ingestion. Global imports reached USD 29.3 billion in…
Published on 16 September 2026Updated on 27 September 2026
Chapter 24 covers tobacco, cigars, cigarettes and nicotine products intended for inhalation or ingestion. Global imports reached USD 29.3 billion in 2025, with Germany, Japan and Italy as the largest buyers. Spain exported USD 2.1 billion to this chapter, making it a significant market for Spanish tobacco and related products.
Fact sheet
- Code
- 24
- Sector
- Food and Drink
Main importing markets
USD · 2025| Country | Imports (USD) |
|---|---|
| Germany | 7,023,597,631 |
| Japan | 5,301,783,580 |
| Italy | 3,659,164,217 |
| United States | 3,628,735,026 |
| China | 2,465,414,896 |
| Spain | 2,116,901,279 |
| France | 1,897,782,901 |
| Poland | 1,745,474,396 |
| United Kingdom | 1,738,575,469 |
| Indonesia | 1,545,880,108 |
| Türkiye | 1,225,887,185 |
| Czechia | 1,130,505,522 |
| Netherlands | 1,093,748,650 |
| Hong Kong SAR China | 837,738,881 |
| Greece | 787,891,784 |
Imports declared by each country from the world. Countries report with a delay: the period is the latest with consolidated data.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 27 September 2026
Headings in this chapter
- Tobacco, unmanufactured; tobacco refuseHeading 2401
- Cigars, cheroots, cigarillos and cigarettes; of tobacco or of tobacco substitutesHeading 2402
- Manufactured tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes n.e.c; homogenised or reconstituted tobacco; tobacco extracts and essencesHeading 2403
- Products containing tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, nicotine, or tobacco or nicotine substitutes, intended for inhalation without combustion; other nicotine containing products intended for the intake of nicotine into the human bodyHeading 2404
Trade fairs in this sector
- Alimentaria Barcelona
- Anuga
- BIOFACH – World’s Leading Trade Fair for Organic Food
- Fruit Attraction
- Gulfood
- ProWein Düsseldorf
- Salón Gourmets
- SIAL – Salon International de l’Alimentation (SIAL Paris)
- Summer Fancy Food Show
- Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris
What you need to know to export tobacco and nicotine products
Chapter 24 is split into four headings that cover very different products: unmanufactured tobacco leaf, finished cigarettes and cigars, processed tobacco and tobacco extracts, and modern nicotine products like heated tobacco or vaping devices. Each heading has its own tariff rates, rules of origin and regulatory requirements, so you must identify your exact product code before you quote or ship.
Spain exported USD 2.1 billion worth of Chapter 24 products in 2025, making it the sixth-largest global supplier. Your main competitors are Germany, Italy, France and Poland for EU markets, and the United States and Turkey for overseas sales. Understanding their positioning in your target market helps you set price and positioning.
Common questions about exporting tobacco and nicotine products
What's the difference between a tariff code 2401 and 2402?
Heading 2401 is unmanufactured tobacco leaf and tobacco refuse—raw material. Heading 2402 is finished cigars, cheroots, cigarillos and cigarettes ready for sale. They have different tariff rates, different rules of origin, and different regulatory pathways. If you're unsure which code applies to your product, your customs broker or the AEAT can help you classify it correctly.
Which countries import the most tobacco and nicotine products?
Germany, Japan and Italy are the three largest importers globally, with USD 7.0 billion, USD 5.3 billion and USD 3.7 billion respectively in 2025. The United States, China and Spain follow. Tariff access, regulatory frameworks and market size vary widely, so your entry strategy must be tailored to each destination.
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