Botswana Electric Water Heaters Import Market -- HS Code 8516 Trade Data & Price Trend (Sep 2025)

Botswana Electric Water Heaters Import (HS 8516) Key Takeaways

Botswana's Electric Water Heaters import market under HS Code 8516 in September 2025 is split between high-value domestic ovens and bulk commodity-like items, with suppliers holding strong pricing power in premium niches. The market is highly concentrated, with a few dominant trading companies handling over 90% of import value, creating supply chain vulnerabilities. South Africa leads as the primary origin, accounting for 52% of import value, while China dominates volume with cost-effective alternatives. After peaking in mid-2025, imports declined to $1.95 million by September, likely impacted by global trade uncertainties. Strategic diversification in sourcing and supplier relationships is critical to mitigate risks. This analysis covers September 2025 and is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

Botswana Electric Water Heaters Import (HS 8516) Background

What is HS Code 8516?

HS Code 8516 covers electric water heaters, specifically domestic appliances designed for heating water. These products are essential for residential and commercial use, driven by consistent demand in housing, hospitality, and healthcare sectors. Their global trade remains stable due to universal utility and replacement cycles.

Current Context and Strategic Position

The United States increased additional duties on all imports from Botswana to 37% in April 2025 [Global Trade Alert], directly impacting Botswana's electric water heaters import competitiveness. This policy shift underscores the need for market vigilance, as Botswana's trade flows face heightened scrutiny. The country's role in hs code 8516 trade data is now strategically sensitive, requiring close monitoring of tariff adjustments and alternative markets.

Botswana Electric Water Heaters Import (HS 8516) Price Trend

Key Observations

In September 2025, Botswana's imports of Electric Water Heaters under HS code 8516 totaled 1.95 million USD at a unit price of 7.61 USD per kilogram, marking a decline from previous months' peaks.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Botswana Electric Water Heaters Import trend showed strong growth in the first half of 2025, with value rising from 1.27 million USD in January to a high of 2.67 million USD in June, driven by increased volume and fluctuating unit prices. However, this momentum reversed in the third quarter, with value dropping to 1.95 million USD in September, likely influenced by economic uncertainty following the U.S. administration's 37% duty increase on all imports from Botswana in April 2025 [GlobalTradeAlert], which may have dampened Botswana's export-dependent economy and reduced import capacity. The hs code 8516 value trend reflects this volatility, with unit prices ranging from 6.55 to 9.75 USD/kg, suggesting adjustments in sourcing or demand cycles typical for appliances tied to construction and household spending.

Botswana Electric Water Heaters Import (HS 8516) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

Botswana's HS Code 8516 import market in September 2025 is dominated by domestic ovens, cookers, and grills (excluding microwaves), which account for nearly 20% of the total import value. According to yTrade data, these units command a higher average price of $58 each, indicating a focus on more specialized, higher-value cooking appliances. One outlier product, a similar type of oven, shows an exceptionally high unit price of $109 but represents a very small share of total volume and has been isolated from the main analysis.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining imports under Botswana's HS Code 8516 trade data reveal a split between basic commodity-like items and differentiated finished goods. High-volume, low-unit-price products like electric water heaters operate like commodities, with large quantities imported at just $6 per unit. In contrast, smaller-volume items such as hair dryers, toasters, and microwave ovens carry significantly higher prices, reflecting their status as branded or feature-rich consumer goods rather than bulk commodities.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

This structure means suppliers of high-value appliances like ovens and hair dryers hold stronger pricing power due to product differentiation. For importers of basic items like water heaters, competition will focus on volume and cost efficiency. Companies analyzing HS Code 8516 trade data for Botswana should therefore segment their approach: premium brands can target specialized niches, while high-volume operators must compete on logistics and economies of scale.

Table: Botswana HS Code 8516) Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

Check Detailed HS Code 8516 Breakdown

Botswana Electric Water Heaters Import (HS 8516) Origin Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

South Africa is the dominant origin for Botswana's Electric Water Heaters imports in September 2025, holding a 51.93% value share. Its value share exceeds its quantity share of 21.95%, indicating a preference for higher-grade or finished units from this partner. The high frequency share of 49.49% points to regular, possibly retail-driven shipments. China Mainland follows with a 44.73% quantity share but lower value share of 33.61%, suggesting bulk imports of more affordable variants.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The top origins form two main clusters for HS Code 8516 trade. South Africa represents a high-yield cluster with premium-priced goods, likely due to regional proximity and trusted supply chains. China Mainland and China Hongkong form a volume cluster, with high quantity shares but lower value, indicating cost-effective sourcing of standard units, possibly through manufacturing hubs. The high frequency from South Africa and China Mainland also hints at transactional patterns, supporting just-in-time inventory needs for Botswana's market.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's heavy reliance on South Africa for Electric Water Heaters imports poses a supply chain risk, urging diversification into other volume sources like China to ensure stability. The high shipment frequency suggests efficient logistics, but over-dependence on few partners could disrupt availability. Monitoring trade data for HS 8516 will help balance cost and quality in sourcing strategies.

Table: Botswana Electric Water Heaters (HS 8516) Top Origin Countries (Source: yTrade)

Get Complete Origin Countries Profile

Botswana Electric Water Heaters (HS 8516) Suppliers Analysis

Supplier Concentration and Dominance

According to yTrade data, the Botswana Electric Water Heaters import market in September 2025 is dominated by a small group of suppliers. This group handles 93.46% of the import value, 84.33% of shipment frequency, and 92.76% of quantity, making it the core of the trade. The typical trade involves high-value, frequent shipments, with companies like TIAN HUI IMPORT&EXPORT CO.LTD leading the way.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

Other supplier clusters include those with high value but low frequency, low value but high frequency, and low value with low frequency. The dominant Botswana Electric Water Heaters import suppliers are trading companies, indicating an agent-driven market where intermediaries manage most transactions. HS code 8516 suppliers in this segment likely serve as key distributors, streamlining the supply chain.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

Botswana importers should focus on maintaining relationships with high-value, high-frequency suppliers to ensure steady supply, but the heavy reliance on this cluster creates vulnerability to disruptions. Exploring alternative suppliers from other clusters could reduce risk. Although news on US tariff changes [Global Trade Alert] may not directly affect these imports, it underscores broader trade uncertainties that could impact costs or availability.

Table: Botswana Electric Water Heaters (HS 8516) Top Suppliers List (Source: yTrade)

Check Full Electric Water Heaters Supplier lists

Action Plan for Electric Water Heaters Market Operation and Expansion

• Use hs code 8516 trade data to diversify suppliers by engaging with alternative clusters beyond the dominant high-frequency ones, reducing vulnerability to supply disruptions in Botswana's Electric Water Heaters Import market.
• Analyze hs code 8516 trade data to balance sourcing between high-value origins like South Africa and volume hubs like China, ensuring cost efficiency and stability in the Electric Water Heaters supply chain.
• Segment the Botswana Electric Water Heaters Import portfolio using trade data insights, targeting premium niches for higher margins while optimizing volume operations for bulk items.
• Monitor shipment frequency in hs code 8516 trade to align inventory with just-in-time delivery patterns, preventing overstock and reducing holding costs in the Electric Water Heaters supply chain.
• Regularly update hs code 8516 trade data to assess geopolitical risks and tariff changes, proactively adjusting sourcing strategies to protect the Electric Water Heaters supply chain from external shocks.

Take Action Now —— Explore Botswana Electric Water Heaters Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Botswana Electric Water Heaters Import 2025 September?

The decline in import value to $1.95 million in September 2025 follows a mid-year peak, likely due to economic uncertainty triggered by U.S. tariff hikes on Botswana’s exports, which may have reduced import capacity.

Q2. Who are the main origin countries of Botswana Electric Water Heaters (HS Code 8516) 2025 September?

South Africa dominates with a 51.93% value share, followed by China Mainland at 33.61%, reflecting a split between premium and bulk imports.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across origin countries of Botswana Electric Water Heaters Import?

South Africa supplies higher-priced finished goods, while China Mainland focuses on affordable, high-volume units, creating a $6–$58 price range based on product grade.

Q4. What should importers in Botswana focus on when buying Electric Water Heaters?

Importers should prioritize relationships with high-value, high-frequency suppliers (handling 93.46% of trade) while diversifying sources to mitigate over-reliance on South Africa.

Q5. What does this Botswana Electric Water Heaters import pattern mean for overseas suppliers?

Suppliers from China can leverage bulk demand, while South African exporters benefit from premium positioning, but both must monitor Botswana’s economic volatility.

Q6. How is Electric Water Heaters typically used in this trade flow?

They serve as household or commercial appliances, with imports split between basic commodity-like units and differentiated, branded consumer goods.