(a) Tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes manufactured in Puerto Rico which are brought into the United States and withdrawn for consumption or sale are subject to the tax imposed by 26 U.S.C. 7652(a), at the rates set forth in 26 U.S.C. 5701.

(b) The excise taxes collected on tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes manufactured in Puerto Rico are covered into the Treasury of Puerto Rico. Tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes are considered as manufactured in Puerto Rico for purposes of 26 U.S.C. 7652(a)(3) if the sum of the cost or value of the materials produced in Puerto Rico, plus the direct costs of processing operations performed in Puerto Rico, equals or exceeds 50 percent of the value of the product when it is brought into the United States.

(c) The excise tax on tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes of Puerto Rican manufacture may be prepaid in Puerto Rico prior to shipment of such articles to the United States in accordance with § 41.105. In the case of tobacco products such tax may be paid in Puerto Rico on the basis of a semi-monthly return in accordance with the applicable provisions of this subpart.