Botswana Computers Import Market -- HS Code 8471 Trade Data & Price Trend (Q3 2025)

Botswana Computers Import (HS 8471) Key Takeaways

Botswana’s computers import market in Q3 2025 was dominated by high-value finished laptops, accounting for 58% of HS Code 8471 trade, while lower-tier components and peripherals traded at significantly lower prices. The market showed heightened volatility, with imports rebounding to $3.46M in September after an August dip, reflecting global supply chain disruptions. Supplier concentration is extreme, with dominant distributors like TARSUS DISTRIBUTION controlling 88.5% of import value, creating supply chain risks. Geographically, China supplied 61% of imports, underscoring reliance on a single market despite premium niche demand from high-yield clusters like Israel and Germany. This analysis covers 2025 Q3 and is based on cleanly processed customs data from the yTrade database.

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 industries ranging from education and healthcare to finance and telecommunications, driving consistent global demand. Their role in digital transformation ensures steady trade flows across markets.

Current Context and Strategic Position

The U.S. recently imposed a 37% additional duty on all imports from Botswana, effective April 2025 [Global Trade Alert], compounding broader tariff pressures under President Trump’s reciprocal trade policy. For Botswana’s computers import sector, this raises costs and disrupts supply chains, particularly as the country relies heavily on foreign technology. Monitoring hs code 8471 trade data is now essential to navigate these challenges and assess Botswana’s competitiveness in the global market.

Botswana Computers Import (HS 8471) Price Trend

Key Observations

In Q3 2025, Botswana's computer imports under hs code 8471 reached a total value of 10.47 million USD, with unit prices fluctuating between $110.04 and $137.27 per kg. This represents a period of heightened volatility compared to earlier in the year, influenced by shifting trade dynamics and external policy pressures.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Botswana Computers Import trend showed a recovery in September to 3.46 million USD after a dip in August, reflecting ongoing adjustments in global supply chains. This volatility aligns with the implementation of U.S. tariff policies in April 2025, including a 37% duty on imports from Botswana [GlobalTradeAlert], which likely disrupted trade flows and amplified price sensitivity for technology imports. The hs code 8471 value trend indicates that importers are navigating these uncertainties, with sequential changes pointing to a cautious market response to broader economic tensions.

Botswana Computers Import (HS 8471) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data for 2025 Q3, Botswana's import market for computers under HS Code 8471 is heavily specialized. The market is dominated by portable laptops, which account for over 58% of the total import value. This high-value finished product has an average unit price of 385 US dollars, significantly higher than many other components in this category.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining imports form two clear tiers within the computer value chain. The first is a mid-range tier of core processing units and complete desktop systems, with unit prices between 500 and 1,000 US dollars. The second is a lower-cost tier of peripherals and storage devices, like input/output units and storage drives, which trade at much lower unit prices, typically under 150 US dollars. This structure confirms trade in differentiated manufactured goods, not bulk commodities.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Analysis of HS Code 8471 trade data shows that pricing power lies with sellers of high-value finished systems like laptops. For buyers managing Botswana's HS Code 8471 import portfolio, the strategy should focus on securing competitive pricing for these dominant finished goods, while potentially consolidating sourcing for the more standardized, lower-value peripheral components to reduce costs.

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

Check Detailed HS Code 8471 Breakdown

Botswana Computers Import (HS 8471) Origin Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In Q3 2025, Botswana's Computers import market is heavily concentrated, with CHINA MAINLAND dominating as the primary supplier. China accounts for 61.05% of the import value but 56.99% of the quantity, indicating a preference for higher-grade or finished computers, as the value share exceeds volume share. The frequency of shipments from China is also high at 42.36%, suggesting regular but not excessively fragmented trade flows for HS Code 8471 products.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The import origins for Botswana's Computers can be grouped into two main clusters. First, a High-Yield Cluster includes Israel, Ireland, Canada, and Germany, where value shares are notably higher than quantity shares, pointing to niche demand for premium or specialized computer equipment. Second, a Volume/Hub Cluster features South Africa and the United Arab Emirates, with South Africa showing a quantity share of 27.10% outweighing its value share of 17.85%, implying bulk imports of lower-end or component-based computers, possibly acting as regional logistics hubs.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's heavy reliance on China for Computers imports poses a supply chain risk, urging a strategy to diversify sources, such as increasing procurement from the High-Yield Cluster to mitigate dependency. While global trade policies like US tariff changes were noted, they do not directly explain shifts in Botswana's import patterns for Q3 2025, so focusing on stable, diversified sourcing is key for future resilience in HS Code 8471 trade.

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

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Botswana Computers (HS 8471) Suppliers Analysis

Supplier Concentration and Dominance

In Q3 2025, the Botswana Computers Import suppliers market shows strong concentration. According to yTrade data, high value, high frequency suppliers dominate with 88.53% of the import value. These suppliers handle most transactions, making frequent, high-value deals the norm for typical trade.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

Other clusters play smaller roles: high value, low frequency suppliers add 9.27% value, while low value groups contribute minimally. The dominant cluster's companies, like TARSUS DISTRIBUTION and ALTRON MANAGED SOLUTIONS, point to an intermediated market. The profile of hs code 8471 suppliers indicates that distributors and agents drive most imports, not direct manufacturers.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

Importers in Botswana should prioritize relationships with dominant suppliers but explore others to reduce reliance risks. The high concentration means vulnerability to supply chain issues. As reported in March 2025 import data, Botswana's overall imports were significant, highlighting the importance of stable sourcing [StatsBots].

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

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Action Plan for Computers Market Operation and Expansion

• Prioritize negotiations with high-frequency distributors like TARSUS for laptop imports, as hs code 8471 trade data shows they control the majority of value and can offer volume-based pricing advantages for Botswana's Computers Import portfolio.
• Diversify sourcing beyond China by targeting high-yield countries like Israel and Germany for specialized equipment, mitigating single-origin risk and strengthening the overall Computers supply chain resilience.
• Consolidate procurement for low-value peripherals (e.g., storage drives) into bulk contracts with volume-focused hubs like South Africa to reduce unit costs and simplify logistics for the hs code 8471 trade category.
• Use supplier frequency data from trade platforms to monitor order cycles and avoid overstocking high-turnover items, ensuring capital is allocated efficiently across the Botswana Computers Import operation.

Take Action Now —— Explore Botswana Computers Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Botswana Computers Import 2025 Q3?

The volatility in Botswana's computer imports is driven by global trade disruptions, including U.S. tariff policies, and fluctuating unit prices between $110.04 and $137.27 per kg. The market saw a recovery in September after an August dip, reflecting supply chain adjustments.

Q2. Who are the main origin countries of Botswana Computers (HS Code 8471) 2025 Q3?

China dominates with 61.05% of import value, followed by South Africa (17.85%) and a High-Yield Cluster (Israel, Ireland, Canada, Germany) supplying premium equipment with higher value shares than quantity.

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

Price differences stem from product specialization: China supplies high-value laptops (avg. $385/unit), while South Africa focuses on bulk, lower-cost peripherals (under $150/unit). High-Yield Cluster countries provide premium systems at higher prices.

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

Importers should prioritize competitive pricing for high-value laptops from dominant suppliers like TARSUS DISTRIBUTION while diversifying sourcing to reduce reliance on China and mitigate supply chain risks.

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

Suppliers in China have a stable, high-volume market, while High-Yield Cluster countries can capitalize on niche demand for premium systems. South Africa’s role as a logistics hub offers opportunities for cost-effective component trade.

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

Botswana’s imports are primarily finished systems (58% laptops) for direct use, supplemented by mid-range desktops and low-cost peripherals, reflecting demand for differentiated, high-grade technology products.

Detailed Monthly Report

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