HS Code:
The 'Cigarettes containing tobacco' category, classified under HS Code 2402.20, encompasses finished cigarette products that contain tobacco as a primary ingredient. This category is a significant segment of the global tobacco industry, involving the production, export, and import of cigarettes for consumer use. Trade in this category is heavily influenced by health regulations, taxation policies, and anti-smoking campaigns worldwide, alongside cultural and economic factors.
Total Trade Volume
USD 25.3 billion
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database
USD 3.8 billion
15.0% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 3.2 billion
12.6% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 2.9 billion
11.5% of total trade of total trade
Stable
USD 2.5 billion
9.9% of total trade of total trade
Decreasing
USD 2.1 billion
8.3% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
Average Rate
35.6%
Highest Rate
150% (applied by some South Asian countries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements in the EU)
Shift towards stricter regulations
Reduced legal trade volumes in developed markets due to anti-smoking policies, pushing demand towards illicit trade in some regions.
2021-2022
Growth in emerging markets
Increased demand in developing countries, particularly in Asia and Africa, due to rising populations and disposable incomes.
2020-2022
Rise of alternative tobacco products
Decline in traditional cigarette consumption in favor of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products in markets like Europe and North America.
2019-2022
The European Union revised its Tobacco Tax Directive, increasing minimum excise duties on cigarettes to standardize pricing and reduce cross-border smuggling.
January 2023
Expected to reduce trade disparities within the EU but may increase prices, potentially boosting illicit trade.
Australia reported a significant decline in smoking rates following a decade of plain packaging laws, influencing other countries to adopt similar measures.
March 2023
Likely to reduce brand-driven trade and further restrict marketing strategies globally.
Indonesia introduced policies to boost local cigarette production, reducing reliance on imports while increasing export capacity.
July 2022
May lead to a shift in trade dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region, with Indonesia gaining market share.