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

Botswana Cigarettes Import (HS 2402) Key Takeaways

Botswana's cigarettes import market under HS Code 2402 is dominated by low-cost, high-volume tobacco products, with a niche premium segment offering higher margins. The market shows strong recovery in June 2025 after April's tariff-driven downturn, reflecting resilient demand. Supplier concentration is extreme, with nearly all imports sourced from a handful of major manufacturers, primarily in South Africa, which accounts for over 99% of volume. This heavy reliance on a single origin creates significant supply chain vulnerability. Importers must balance cost efficiency with diversification strategies to mitigate risks. This analysis covers June 2025 and 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, cigarettes, and tobacco substitutes, products with stable global demand driven by consumer habits and industrial manufacturing. These goods are primarily used in the retail and wholesale sectors, with cigarettes being the most traded commodity under this classification. The market for HS Code 2402 remains significant due to consistent consumption patterns worldwide.

Current Context and Strategic Position

The United States increased additional duties on all imports from Botswana to 37% effective April 2025, impacting trade flows under HS Code 2402 [Global Trade Alert]. Botswana's cigarettes import sector, a key contributor to its export economy, now faces heightened trade barriers. This policy shift underscores the need for vigilance in monitoring hs code 2402 trade data, particularly for stakeholders reliant on Botswana's production. The strategic importance of Botswana's cigarettes export market necessitates close analysis of evolving trade dynamics and tariff impacts.

Botswana Cigarettes Import (HS 2402) Price Trend

Key Observations

In June 2025, the Botswana Cigarettes Import trend reached a value of 790.30 thousand USD, with a unit price of 51.48 USD per kilogram, reflecting a solid recovery in both volume and value after a volatile period earlier in the year.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The hs code 2402 value trend showed pronounced fluctuations through mid-2025, with a sharp contraction in April to just 51.43 thousand USD followed by a sequential rebound in May and June. This recovery aligns with typical demand resilience for cigarettes, often driven by consistent consumer consumption patterns. The April downturn coincided with the implementation of a US tariff increase on imports from Botswana [Global Trade Alert], which may have contributed to temporary trade disruptions and inventory adjustments. The subsequent growth indicates market adaptation and stable import demand despite external policy pressures.

Botswana Cigarettes Import (HS 2402) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data for June 2025, Botswana's import market for HS Code 2402 is heavily concentrated in mass-market cigarettes, specifically under sub-code 24022090 for cigarettes containing tobacco. This product accounts for nearly all the quantity and value share, with a unit price of just 0.14 USD per piece, indicating a focus on high-volume, low-cost items. The dominance of this single sub-code underscores a specialized import strategy centered on affordable, everyday tobacco products.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining imports under HS Code 2402 fall into a distinct premium category, comprising cigars, cheroots, and cigarillos with higher unit prices ranging from 13 to 20 USD per piece. These products, including those with tobacco substitutes, represent a niche segment focused on higher-quality or luxury goods. This structure suggests that Botswana's import of HS Code 2402 is bifurcated into bulk, fungible commodities for mass consumption and differentiated, value-added goods for selective markets.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For importers, the market's heavy reliance on low-priced cigarettes implies limited pricing power and a need for cost efficiency in sourcing. However, the premium cigar segment offers opportunities for higher margins through targeted branding and niche marketing. Analyzing HS Code 2402 trade data reveals that success hinges on balancing volume-driven strategies with selective investments in higher-grade products to diversify risk and capture value.

Table: Botswana HS Code 2402) Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

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Botswana Cigarettes Import (HS 2402) Origin Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

South Africa supplied 96.8% of all import shipments and 99.5% of the total quantity of cigarettes entering Botswana in June 2025. This near-total reliance on a single origin defines the market structure. The value share (99.8%) is marginally higher than the quantity share, pointing to a slight preference for mid-to-higher grade cigarette products over the very cheapest alternatives.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The remaining trade splits into two clear clusters. Cuba and Nicaragua form a "High-Yield Cluster"; their single shipments had minimal volume but a high value per unit, indicating they are sources for premium, niche cigarette brands. Botswana's own appearance on the import list, with a shipment of 30,000 units, is classified as "Returned Goods & Re-imports." This is typically caused by quality returns from foreign buyers or unsold inventory being brought back from distribution hubs, reflecting supply chain adjustments.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's cigarette import supply chain is extremely vulnerable due to its near-total dependency on South Africa. Any disruption to that trade route would halt almost all supply. A key strategy must be to develop alternative sourcing channels to mitigate this risk. The small but established flow of premium products from Cuba and Nicaragua represents an opportunity to diversify the product range, though it does not address the volume dependency. The presence of re-imports suggests some inefficiency in export logistics that should be reviewed.

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

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Botswana Cigarettes (HS 2402) Suppliers Analysis

Supplier Concentration and Dominance

In June 2025, the Botswana Cigarettes Import suppliers market shows high concentration. According to yTrade data, suppliers with high value and high frequency account for 99.12% of the import value. This means the typical trade involves large, regular shipments from a few key players.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The dominant HS code 2402 suppliers are major manufacturers like Philip Morris and BAT South Africa, pointing to a direct-to-factory model. Other suppliers with low value but high frequency contribute little to overall trade, indicating limited secondary sources.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

Botswana's dependence on a small number of large manufacturers for cigarettes imports offers cost efficiency but poses risks from supply disruptions or market changes. Diversifying suppliers could mitigate these risks, but current data reveals minimal alternative options.

Table: Botswana Cigarettes (HS 2402) Top Suppliers List (Source: yTrade)

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Action Plan for Cigarettes Market Operation and Expansion

• Use hs code 2402 trade data to identify alternative suppliers beyond South Africa, reducing extreme supply chain vulnerability for Botswana's Cigarettes Import market and ensuring continuity.
• Develop a targeted sourcing strategy for premium cigar products from established origins like Cuba and Nicaragua, capturing higher margins and diversifying Botswana's Cigarettes Import portfolio.
• Analyze supplier frequency and volume patterns to optimize inventory cycles, preventing overstock or shortages in the Cigarettes supply chain and improving cost efficiency.
• Implement direct engagement with major manufacturers like Philip Morris to negotiate better contract terms, leveraging high-volume imports for pricing advantages under hs code 2402.
• Monitor and reduce re-imports by reviewing export logistics processes, cutting inefficiencies in the Cigarettes supply chain and saving on unnecessary costs.

Take Action Now —— Explore Botswana Cigarettes Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The market recovered sharply in June 2025 after a temporary April downturn linked to US tariff hikes, reflecting resilient demand. The rebound highlights stable import volumes despite external policy pressures.

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

South Africa dominates with 96.8% of shipments and 99.5% of quantity. Cuba and Nicaragua supply niche premium products but contribute minimal volume.

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

Prices vary due to product specialization: South Africa supplies mass-market cigarettes at $0.14/piece, while Cuba/Nicaragua export premium cigars at $13–20/piece.

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

Importers must prioritize cost efficiency for bulk South African shipments while exploring niche branding opportunities in the premium cigar segment to diversify risk.

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

South African manufacturers benefit from near-total reliance, but suppliers of premium products (e.g., Cuba/Nicaragua) can leverage Botswana’s small but established high-margin demand.

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

Botswana primarily imports low-cost, high-volume cigarettes for mass consumption, supplemented by limited premium cigar shipments for selective markets.