U.S. Spectacle Frame Imports

Spectacle frame imports into the United States amounted to 7.1M units in April 2023, approximately reflecting the previous month’s figure. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a mild reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in June 2022 when imports increased by 31% month-to-month. As a result, imports reached the peak of 10M units. From July 2022 to April 2023, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, spectacle frame imports contracted to $94M (IndexBox estimates) in April 2023. Overall, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in March 2023 when imports increased by 20% m-o-m. Imports peaked at 115M units in October 2022; however, from November 2022 to April 2023, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In April 2023, China (5.5M units) constituted the largest spectacle frame supplier to the United States, with a 77% share of total imports. Moreover, spectacle frame imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Italy (665K units), eightfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Taiwan (Chinese) (203K units), with a 2.9% share.

From April 2022 to April 2023, the average monthly growth rate of volume from China totaled -1.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average monthly rates of imports growth: Italy (-0.1% per month) and Taiwan (Chinese) (-4.3% per month).

In value terms, China ($41M), Italy ($34M) and Japan ($4.6M) appeared to be the largest spectacle frame suppliers to the United States, with a combined 84% share of total imports.

Among the main suppliers, Italy, with a CAGR of +0.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline.

Imports by Type

Plastic frames and mountings for spectacles and goggles (4.5M units) and non-plastic frames and mountings for spectacles and goggles (2.6M units) were the main products of spectacle frame imports to the United States.

From April 2022 to April 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the major product types, was attained by spectacle plastic frame (with a CAGR of -1.4%).

In value terms, plastic frames and mountings for spectacles and goggles ($60M) and non-plastic frames and mountings for spectacles and goggles ($34M) were the most imported types of frames and mountings for spectacles, goggles or the like in the United States.

Import Prices by Country

In April 2023, the spectacle frame price amounted to $13.3 per unit (CIF, US), shrinking by -15.1% against the previous month. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in March 2023 an increase of 19% month-to-month. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $15,622 per thousand units, and then fell sharply in the following month.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of origin: the country with the highest price was Italy ($51.8 per unit), while the price for Taiwan (Chinese) ($3.4 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From April 2022 to April 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+0.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform