Botswana Skincare Products Import Market -- HS Code 3304 Trade Data & Price Trend (Sep 2025)

Botswana Skincare Products Import (HS 3304) Key Takeaways

Botswana's Skincare Products Import market in September 2025 is dominated by high-volume, low-cost skin care preparations (71% value share), with niche premium products offering untapped margin potential. The hs code 3304 trade data reveals heavy reliance on a few key retail suppliers (85% import value) and South Africa (74% value share), creating supply chain vulnerabilities. Import values dipped to $4.26M amid post-tariff volatility, though unit prices held firm at $11.02/kg. This analysis is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database for September 2025.

Botswana Skincare Products Import (HS 3304) Background

What is HS Code 3304?

HS Code 3304 covers beauty or skincare preparations, including products like eye makeup and other cosmetic formulations. These items are essential for the global personal care and cosmetics industries, driven by consistent consumer demand for beauty and hygiene products. The stability of this market is underpinned by its widespread use across both retail and professional sectors.

Current Context and Strategic Position

The United States recently imposed a 37% additional duty on all imports from Botswana, effective April 2025 [Global Trade Alert]. This policy shift could significantly impact Botswana's skincare products import trade, particularly under HS Code 3304, which saw notable import activity in late 2024 and early 2025 [Market Inside Data]. Botswana's strategic role in this trade flow stems from its growing presence in regional and global cosmetics markets, making it critical to monitor how these tariffs affect hs code 3304 trade data. Vigilance is essential to navigate the evolving trade landscape.

Botswana Skincare Products Import (HS 3304) Price Trend

Key Observations

Botswana's Skincare Products Import trend closed September 2025 at a value of $4.26M, with unit prices firming to $11.02/kg. This represents a pullback from the elevated import values seen in mid-year, though prices remained above the annual average.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The hs code 3304 value trend showed significant volatility through 2025, heavily influenced by the U.S. decision to impose a 37% additional duty on all imports from Botswana effective April 9 [Global Trade Alert]. This policy shift triggered a sharp unit price spike to $12.07/kg in April as importers likely front-loaded orders, followed by erratic volume adjustments as supply chains adapted. The September dip in import weight suggests a market still normalizing after these disruptions, with buyers potentially pausing to reassess total landed costs under the new tariff structure. The overall trajectory indicates a market navigating sustained cost pressures rather than underlying demand weakness.

Botswana Skincare Products Import (HS 3304) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data, Botswana's HS Code 3304 import market for September 2025 is heavily concentrated in general skin care preparations. The product "Cosmetic and toilet preparations; n.e.c. in heading no. 3304, for the care of the skin" (HS 33049990) dominates with a 71% value share and 80% quantity share, moving 344.99 thousand kilograms at an average unit price of 6.32 USD per kilogram. This high-volume, lower-price trade defines the market's core. Two ultra-premium skin care items (HS 33041020 and 33049920) with prices above 215 USD per kilogram are present but isolated as niche anomalies, representing less than 1% of the total import value.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining imports reveal a clear two-tier structure. The first tier consists of higher-value, branded finished goods like lip make-up (12.68 USD/kg) and eye make-up (10.65 USD/kg). The second tier includes other skin care preparations and powders (e.g., HS 33049930 at 4.05 USD/kg and HS 33049130 at 11.02 USD/kg). This structure shows Botswana's import of HS Code 3304 is not a trade in a uniform commodity but in a range of differentiated manufactured goods, from mass-market essentials to specific premium cosmetics.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For market players, this HS Code 3304 trade data indicates pricing power resides with suppliers of specialized, branded products like compressed powders and specific make-up items, which command significantly higher margins. The strategic focus for importers should be on securing competitive supply for the high-volume skin care segment while developing niches in the premium tiers. The market structure for Botswana's HS Code 3304 import is fundamentally volume-driven, but significant opportunity exists in the higher-margin, specialized product categories.

Table: Botswana HS Code 3304) Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

Check Detailed HS Code 3304 Breakdown

Botswana Skincare Products Import (HS 3304) Origin Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

South Africa is the dominant origin for Botswana's Skincare Products imports in September 2025, accounting for 73.88% of the total value. The quantity share is higher at 88.16%, while the frequency share is lower at 49.04%. This gap suggests that South Africa supplies larger volumes of lower-value or bulk skincare items, with fewer but larger shipments, indicating a focus on cost-effective or mass-market products rather than premium ones.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The other origin countries form a high-yield cluster, where value shares exceed quantity shares. For example, China Mainland has a value share of 5.74% against a quantity share of 1.70%, and similar patterns are seen for Poland, the United Kingdom, and others. This points to imports of higher-priced, branded, or specialty skincare products from these regions, likely driven by consumer demand for quality and diversity in Botswana's market for HS Code 3304 items.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's heavy reliance on South Africa for Skincare Products imports poses a supply chain risk, such as vulnerability to disruptions. Diversifying sources among the high-yield cluster countries could enhance stability and meet varied consumer needs. Monitoring trade policies, like those noted in Botswana's customs schedules [BURS], may help in adjusting sourcing strategies to avoid potential cost increases or delays.

Table: Botswana Skincare Products (HS 3304) Top Origin Countries (Source: yTrade)

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Botswana Skincare Products (HS 3304) Suppliers Analysis

Supplier Concentration and Dominance

According to yTrade data, the Botswana Skincare Products Import supplier market in September 2025 is highly concentrated. A small group of high-value, high-frequency suppliers dominates, accounting for 85.46% of the total import value. This group also handles the vast majority of shipment volume, making them the core of the trade flow. The typical import transaction for this market involves large, regular shipments from a few key partners.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The profile of HS code 3304 suppliers indicates a market driven by major retail chains, as seen with companies like WOOLWORTHS. This points to a direct-to-retail sourcing model. Other clusters play smaller, distinct roles. A group of high-value but less frequent shippers, including manufacturers like UNILEVER, provides significant value in fewer, larger consignments. The remaining suppliers are numerous but contribute minimally to overall value and volume, representing niche or occasional market participants.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

Botswana's import strategy for skincare is highly dependent on a few large retail suppliers. This creates vulnerability to supply chain disruptions or changes in their purchasing strategies. The heavy reliance on this single cluster means diversifying the supplier base is a key strategic priority to mitigate risk. This need is underscored by the [Global Trade Alert] report of a U.S. tariff increase on all imports from Botswana, which could signal a broader trend of rising trade barriers and increase the cost of doing business.

Table: Botswana Skincare Products (HS 3304) Top Suppliers List (Source: yTrade)

Check Full Skincare Products Supplier lists

Action Plan for Skincare Products Market Operation and Expansion

• Diversify your Botswana Skincare Products Import sources beyond South Africa to include high-yield origins like China and the UK. This reduces supply chain risk and provides access to higher-margin, branded products that the hs code 3304 trade data shows are in demand.
• Use hs code 3304 trade data to identify and partner with high-value, lower-frequency manufacturers like Unilever. This strategy moves beyond dominant retail suppliers to secure better margins and more stable pricing for specialized products.
• Develop a dual sourcing strategy that separates high-volume, low-cost skin care from premium, high-value niche products. This optimizes your Skincare Products supply chain for both volume efficiency and maximum profitability.
• Continuously monitor global trade alerts and Botswana's customs schedules for new tariffs or regulations. This proactive step is critical to avoid sudden cost increases and supply disruptions within your import operations.

Take Action Now —— Explore Botswana Skincare Products Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Botswana Skincare Products Import 2025 September?

The market is adjusting to a 37% U.S. tariff hike on Botswana imports, causing price volatility and erratic volume shifts. September's dip reflects importers reassessing landed costs under the new tariff structure.

Q2. Who are the main origin countries of Botswana Skincare Products (HS Code 3304) 2025 September?

South Africa dominates with 73.88% of import value, followed by China Mainland (5.74%) and Poland. South Africa also supplies 88.16% of total quantity via fewer, bulk shipments.

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

Price gaps stem from product specialization: South Africa ships mass-market skin care (avg. $6.32/kg), while China and Europe supply pricier branded items like lip/eye make-up (over $10/kg).

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

Prioritize securing high-volume skin care suppliers while diversifying into premium niches. Over-reliance on South Africa and a few retail chains (e.g., WOOLWORTHS) creates supply chain risks.

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

Suppliers of branded, high-margin items (e.g., UNILEVER) have pricing power, while bulk skin care exporters face volume-driven competition. Botswana’s demand for diversification opens opportunities for niche players.

Q6. How is Skincare Products typically used in this trade flow?

Imports are primarily retail-focused, with general skin care (71% value share) serving mass-market needs and premium cosmetics (e.g., compressed powders) catering to specialized demand.