Botswana Cigarettes Import Market -- HS Code 2402 Trade Data & Price Trend (Jan 2025)

Botswana Cigarettes Import (HS 2402) Key Takeaways

Botswana's cigarettes import market in January 2025 is dominated by mass-produced standard cigarettes (HS 24022090), accounting for 99.9% of volume, while premium cigars and substitutes form niche high-value segments. The market shows stable demand, with imports totaling 636.00K USD at $52.85/kg, reflecting predictable tobacco consumption patterns. Supplier concentration is extreme, with high-value manufacturers like BAT SOUTH AFRICA PTY LTD controlling 99.14% of import value, creating supply chain vulnerability. South Africa is the near-exclusive source (99.88% of value), exposing Botswana to single-origin risk. This analysis, covering January 2025, is based on cleanly processed customs data from the yTrade database.

Botswana Cigarettes Import (HS 2402) Background

What is HS Code 2402?

HS Code 2402 covers cigars, cheroots, cigarillos, and cigarettes, including those made from tobacco or tobacco substitutes. This category is globally significant due to steady demand from consumer markets and the tobacco industry's extensive supply chains. Botswana's cigarettes import under this code reflects both domestic consumption and potential re-export dynamics.

Current Context and Strategic Position

The United States recently announced a 37% additional duty on all imports from Botswana, effective April 2025 [Global Trade Alert]. While this policy does not directly target HS Code 2402, it underscores broader trade risks for Botswana's exports. For cigarettes import, Botswana relies on its customs tariff framework, with 2025 rates and amendments detailed by the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) [BURS]. Monitoring HS Code 2402 trade data is critical, as tariff adjustments or rebates could impact competitiveness in regional and global markets.

Botswana Cigarettes Import (HS 2402) Price Trend

Key Observations

In January 2025, Botswana's import of cigarettes under HS code 2402 totaled 636.00K USD, with a unit price of $52.85 per kg, reflecting a stable entry into the year for tobacco product inflows. This baseline performance aligns with typical demand patterns in the cigarette industry, where import values often remain consistent due to inelastic consumption.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The import volume of 12.03K kg and corresponding value indicate a steady trajectory, building on the predictable demand cycles characteristic of tobacco markets. Without significant monthly fluctuations, this January data suggests a routine start, likely supported by inventory replenishment following year-end cycles. The Botswana Cigarettes Import trend shows no abrupt shifts, maintaining alignment with historical stability in hs code 2402 value trend.

External Context and Outlook

The consistency in January's imports is reinforced by Botswana's release of the 2025 customs tariff schedules in early January, which detailed duties for HS code 2402 without major changes, as per the Botswana Unified Revenue Service [Botswana Unified Revenue Service]. With tariff amendment processes ongoing but no immediate disruptions, the outlook remains stable, though future adjustments by authorities could influence trade flows (Botswana Unified Revenue Service).

Botswana Cigarettes Import (HS 2402) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

Botswana's HS Code 2402 import market in January 2025 is overwhelmingly dominated by standard cigarettes. According to yTrade data, cigarettes containing tobacco (HS 24022090) account for 99.9% of the quantity and 98.1% of the value, with a unit price of $6.71 per kilogram. This high volume and low unit price confirm a market focused on mass-produced, commoditized goods. The remaining minimal shares belong to much higher-priced cigar and cigarillo variants, which are treated as separate, niche anomalies outside the main market pool.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The non-dominant trade consists of two clear tiers based on product form and quality. The first includes cigars and cigarillos containing tobacco (HS 24021090), with a unit price of $139.03 per kilogram, representing a premium handmade segment. The second covers products containing tobacco substitutes (HS 24029014 and 24029024), priced between $125.56 and $179.25 per kilogram, targeting ultra-premium or specialty niches. This structure shows that outside bulk cigarettes, trade is in differentiated, high-value finished goods, not fungible commodities.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For buyers, this import structure for HS Code 2402 trade data means strong pricing leverage on standard cigarette purchases due to high supplier competition and volume concentration. However, sourcing premium cigars or substitutes involves limited options and higher costs, reducing negotiability. Suppliers should prioritize efficiency and scale for cigarettes while building brand storytelling around craftsmanship for niche products to justify premium tags in Botswana's market.

Check Detailed HS Code 2402 Breakdown

Botswana Cigarettes Import (HS 2402) Origin Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

South Africa is the dominant source for Botswana's cigarette imports in January 2025. It supplied 99.88% of the total import value. This share is much higher than its 14.02% quantity share, showing that South Africa provides higher-value cigarettes. Shipments from South Africa were also very frequent, making up 96.36% of all import transactions.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The data reveals two distinct profiles. South Africa forms a clear High-Yield Cluster, characterized by its massive value share from a smaller volume of goods. This points to a trade in premium, finished cigarette products. The entry for Botswana itself, with a high quantity share but negligible value, represents Returned Goods & Re-imports. This is not a foreign source but likely consists of stock being brought back into the country, perhaps from unsold inventory or quality returns.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's supply chain for HS Code 2402 is almost entirely dependent on South Africa for premium products. This creates a significant single-point risk. To build resilience, diversifying sources for these high-value cigarettes is a key strategy. The high volume of domestic re-imports suggests potential inefficiencies in the export or distribution process for Botswana's own cigarette trade that should be reviewed.

Table: Botswana Cigarettes (HS 2402) Top Origin Countries (Source: yTrade)

Get Complete Origin Countries Profile

Action Plan for Cigarettes Market Operation and Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

The Botswana Cigarettes Import market for January 2025 is defined by extreme concentration. The hs code 2402 trade data shows that 99.9% of volume is standard cigarettes, with pricing driven by high-volume manufacturing efficiency and intense supplier competition. South Africa is the sole meaningful source for high-value products, creating a Cigarettes supply chain vulnerable to single-point disruption. This geographic and product reliance means price stability for bulk goods but exposes Botswana to significant cost and availability risks for its premium imports.

Action Plan: Data-Driven Steps for Cigarettes Market Execution and Expansion

• Use hs code 2402 trade data to identify and qualify alternative premium suppliers outside South Africa. This diversifies your sourcing base and reduces vulnerability to supply chain shocks from a single origin.
• Analyze supplier frequency data to forecast shipment cycles and optimize inventory levels for high-volume cigarette lines. This prevents costly overstock or stockouts of your core commodity products.
• Leverage unit price benchmarks from the trade data to negotiate better terms with existing high-value suppliers. This ensures you are paying competitive rates for premium goods and maximising profit margins.
• Monitor Botswana's tariff portal for real-time policy changes affecting cigarette imports. This allows for proactive cost management and avoids unexpected duty increases that impact your bottom line.

Take Action Now —— Explore Botswana Cigarettes Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Botswana Cigarettes Import 2025 January?

The market shows stable demand, with January 2025 imports totaling 636.00K USD at $52.85 per kg, reflecting predictable tobacco consumption patterns. The dominance of high-value, high-frequency suppliers (99.14% of import value) reinforces this consistency.

Q2. Who are the main origin countries of Botswana Cigarettes (HS Code 2402) 2025 January?

South Africa supplied 99.88% of Botswana’s cigarette import value, primarily delivering premium products. A negligible share came from domestic re-imports, likely representing returned inventory.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across origin countries of Botswana Cigarettes Import?

Price gaps stem from product specialization: bulk cigarettes (HS 24022090) cost $6.71/kg, while premium cigars (HS 24021090) and tobacco substitutes (HS 24029014/24) range from $125.56–$179.25/kg.

Q4. What should importers in Botswana focus on when buying Cigarettes?

Prioritize securing direct relationships with manufacturers like BAT SOUTH AFRICA PTY LTD for high-value products. Diversifying suppliers could mitigate risks from South Africa’s near-total dominance.

Q5. What does this Botswana Cigarettes import pattern mean for overseas suppliers?

Suppliers of premium products have pricing power due to limited competition, while bulk cigarette sellers face intense price pressure from Botswana’s volume-driven market.

Q6. How is Cigarettes typically used in this trade flow?

Imports are dominated by finished consumer goods, with standard cigarettes (99.9% of quantity) for mass consumption and niche cigars/cigarillos targeting premium segments.