Botswana Computers Import Market -- HS Code 8471 Trade Data & Price Trend (Feb 2025)

Botswana Computers Import (HS 8471) Key Takeaways

Botswana's computers import under HS code 8471 in February 2025 was dominated by portable systems (48.75% value share) alongside high-value processing units, reflecting a mix of volume-driven and premium demand. The market showed stable import value ($5.39M) with minimal month-to-month fluctuation, indicating steady procurement cycles. Supplier concentration is extreme—97.79% of imports flowed through a few high-volume intermediaries, creating supply chain risks. China accounted for 58.84% of import value, highlighting heavy reliance on a single source for core equipment. This analysis is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database for February 2025.

Botswana Computers Import (HS 8471) Background

What is HS Code 8471?

HS Code 8471 covers automatic data processing machines, including computers and laptops. These devices are critical for businesses, education, and government operations, driving consistent global demand due to their role in digital transformation. Botswana's Computers Import under this code reflects its reliance on technology for economic diversification and connectivity.

Current Context and Strategic Position

Global supply chain dynamics and fluctuating component costs continue to influence the trade of computers and laptops. For Botswana, HS Code 8471 trade data highlights the country's strategic focus on modernizing infrastructure and supporting its growing ICT sector. Vigilance in monitoring import trends is essential to ensure competitive pricing and supply stability, particularly as Botswana seeks to reduce dependency on re-exports and strengthen local value chains.

Botswana Computers Import (HS 8471) Price Trend

Key Observations

In February 2025, Botswana's Computers import trend under HS code 8471 reached a total value of 5.39 million USD, marking a marginal decline from January's 5.40 million USD. This performance indicates relative stability in import spending for this product category at the start of the year.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The hs code 8471 value trend showed near-flat movement from January to February, with only a slight dip in overall import value. This consistency aligns with typical patterns in IT infrastructure imports, where demand often remains steady in early months due to ongoing business and governmental procurement cycles. The absence of sharp fluctuations suggests that broader economic factors, such as stable currency conditions or balanced global supply chains, supported this measured performance without significant volatility.

Botswana Computers Import (HS 8471) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data for February 2025, the import of computers under HS Code 8471 into Botswana is heavily concentrated in portable automatic data processing machines. This product, consisting of a central processing unit, keyboard, and display, holds a dominant 48.75% value share and a 38.16% quantity share. Its unit price of $360.55 per piece is significantly lower than that of high-value components, indicating a market driven by volume and accessibility rather than premium pricing.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining imports are split into two clear value-add categories. The first is high-value processing units, with a much higher unit price of $3,095.30, representing specialized, performance-critical components. The second category includes various input, output, and storage units, all with low unit prices under $100, which are essential but less differentiated accessories. This structure shows Botswana's HS Code 8471 import is not for bulk commodities but for a mix of finished portable systems and discrete, higher-value internal components.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

This import breakdown for HS Code 8471 trade data indicates that pricing power is strongest for suppliers of specialized processing units, where competition may be based on technical performance. For portable computers and accessories, high volume and competitive pricing are likely key. Importers should focus on managing a balanced product mix to cater to both the general consumer market and niche demand for upgradable or high-performance systems.

Table: Botswana HS Code 8471) Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

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Botswana Computers Import (HS 8471) Origin Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

China dominates Botswana's computer imports, accounting for 58.84% of the total import value in February 2025. This share of $3.17 million significantly outpaces its 42.85% quantity share, indicating a strong demand for higher-specification or premium computer equipment from this source. South Africa is a major secondary partner, contributing 14.97% of the value but showing a much higher shipment frequency of 48.29%, which points to a pattern of smaller, more regular orders, likely for retail or business-to-business supply chains.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The import landscape forms three clear clusters. The first is a High-Yield Cluster led by China, where value significantly exceeds volume, confirming its role as the primary source for finished, higher-value computing equipment. The second is a Transactional Cluster comprised of South Africa, whose extremely high frequency share suggests it acts as a regional logistics and distribution hub, facilitating just-in-time deliveries. The third is a Niche Premium Cluster including Israel, Poland, and India; these partners have very high value shares relative to minimal shipment volumes and frequencies, indicating they supply specialized, high-cost computing components or systems.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's heavy reliance on China for computers creates a significant supply chain vulnerability, necessitating a strategy to diversify sources to mitigate risks from geopolitical or logistical disruptions. The high-frequency role of South Africa offers a stable channel for routine replenishment, but its lower value share means it cannot replace China for core equipment needs. For long-term stability, importers should explore developing relationships with alternative manufacturing hubs to reduce concentration risk. The market performance for HS 8471 shows a clear need to balance cost-effective bulk sourcing from China with the strategic flexibility provided by regional and niche partners.

Table: Botswana Computers (HS 8471) Top Origin Countries (Source: yTrade)

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Botswana Computers (HS 8471) Suppliers Analysis

Supplier Concentration and Dominance

According to yTrade data, Botswana's Computers import supplier market in February 2025 was highly concentrated. One group of suppliers, which trades often and in large volumes, dominated the market. They handled 97.79% of the total import value. This group defines the typical trade for Botswana's Computers import suppliers.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The profile of HS code 8471 suppliers indicates an intermediated market. The dominant group includes companies like PLANSON EUROPE APS and AND BEYOND SOUTH AFRICA PTY LTD, which act as trading partners rather than direct manufacturers. The other supplier groups had minimal roles. One small group made infrequent but high-value shipments, while others traded often but with low value or had little overall impact.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

Botswana's heavy reliance on a few high-volume trading partners for Computers creates supply chain risk. This structure offers efficiency but lacks diversification. Importers should consider developing direct relationships with manufacturers to reduce dependency on intermediaries. No specific trade news or policy changes were announced to alter this strategic outlook.

Table: Botswana Computers (HS 8471) Top Suppliers List (Source: yTrade)

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Action Plan for Computers Market Operation and Expansion

• Diversify sourcing beyond China by targeting alternative manufacturing hubs like Vietnam or Malaysia, using hs code 8471 trade data to identify partners with competitive unit prices. This reduces geopolitical risk and stabilizes your Computers supply chain.
• Develop direct relationships with OEMs for high-value processing units, bypassing intermediaries to secure better pricing and ensure consistent supply for Botswana's Computers Import market.
• Leverage South Africa’s high-frequency shipping channels for routine, low-cost accessory replenishment. This optimizes inventory turnover and minimizes storage costs for volume-driven products.
• Analyze niche premium suppliers (e.g., Israel, Poland) for specialized components to capture high-margin opportunities. This diversifies your product mix and reduces dependency on bulk portable computer imports.
• Monitor buyer frequency patterns in hs code 8471 trade data to align orders with demand cycles. This prevents overstocking of low-value accessories and ensures capital is allocated to high-turnover items.

Take Action Now —— Explore Botswana Computers Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Botswana Computers Import 2025 February?

Botswana's Computers import value remained stable in February 2025, with a marginal dip to $5.39M from January's $5.40M. This reflects steady demand driven by business and government procurement cycles, supported by balanced global supply chains.

Q2. Who are the main origin countries of Botswana Computers (HS Code 8471) 2025 February?

China dominated with 58.84% of import value ($3.17M), followed by South Africa (14.97% value share). Israel, Poland, and India formed a niche cluster, supplying high-value, low-volume components.

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

Price differences stem from product specialization: China supplies mid-range portable systems ($360.55/unit), while niche partners like Israel provide high-value processing units ($3,095.30/unit).

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

Importers should diversify suppliers beyond dominant intermediaries like PLANSON EUROPE APS to mitigate risks from over-reliance on China. Balancing bulk purchases with niche high-performance components is key.

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

Suppliers of portable systems benefit from volume-driven demand, while niche component makers can leverage Botswana’s need for specialized, high-value units. Regional hubs like South Africa remain critical for frequent shipments.

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

Imports are split between consumer-ready portable systems (48.75% value share) and discrete high-performance components, catering to both general users and specialized upgradable systems.