Botswana Generating Sets Import Market -- HS Code 8502 Trade Data & Price Trend (Apr 2025)

Botswana Generating Sets Import (HS 8502) Key Takeaways

Botswana's generating sets import under HS code 8502 surged to $741.53K in April 2025, driven by high-value specialized non-combustion models priced at $1,304 per unit, reflecting demand for advanced equipment. The market is dominated by a few high-value suppliers controlling 91.30% of import value, creating supply chain risks, while South Africa supplies 58.95% of premium units despite accounting for just 8.91% of quantity. This analysis, covering April 2025, is based on cleanly processed customs data from the yTrade database.

Botswana Generating Sets Import (HS 8502) Background

What is HS Code 8502?

HS Code 8502 covers generating sets and rotary converters, which are critical for power generation across industries like construction, manufacturing, and emergency backup systems. These products are essential in regions with unstable grid infrastructure or high demand for portable energy solutions. Global demand remains steady due to their role in supporting industrial operations and disaster resilience.

Current Context and Strategic Position

The U.S. increased additional duties on all imports from Botswana to 37% effective April 2025 [Global Trade Alert], directly impacting Botswana's generating sets import trade. This policy shift underscores the need for market vigilance, as Botswana's exports face heightened barriers in key markets. The country's strategic position in HS Code 8502 trade data is influenced by its reliance on energy infrastructure development and regional demand. Monitoring Botswana's generating sets import trends is now critical to navigating these tariff-driven disruptions.

Botswana Generating Sets Import (HS 8502) Price Trend

Key Observations

In April 2025, Botswana's imports of Generating Sets under HS code 8502 surged to a value of $741.53K USD, with a unit price of $6.50 per kg, marking the highest monthly value in the year so far.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Botswana Generating Sets Import trend exhibited significant volatility from January to April 2025, with values dipping in February before sharply rising in March and April. This sequential growth, particularly the 26% increase in value from March to April, aligns with potential market adjustments ahead of the US administration's tariff hike on imports from Botswana effective April 9, 2025 [Global Trade Alert], which may have prompted accelerated or bulk purchases to mitigate broader trade uncertainties. The hs code 8502 value trend reflects heightened demand, likely driven by Botswana's infrastructure development or energy security initiatives, as lower unit prices in April suggest a shift toward cost-efficient sourcing amid fluctuating global supply conditions.

Botswana Generating Sets Import (HS 8502) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In April 2025, Botswana's import of generating sets under HS Code 8502 is highly concentrated in specialized non-internal combustion models. According to yTrade data, the dominant product is electric generating sets excluding spark-ignition or diesel engines, which accounts for nearly half of the import value with a unit price of $1,304, significantly higher than other types. This high price point indicates a focus on advanced, specialized equipment rather than standard models.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The import structure for Botswana's HS Code 8502 includes diesel generating sets split by output capacity—small units under 75kVA and medium units up to 375kVA—along with spark-ignition models. Prices vary widely, from $178 for basic small diesel sets to $2,470 for higher-capacity medium sets, showing a clear differentiation by technology and performance grade. This diversity confirms that trade involves differentiated manufactured goods, not uniform commodities, with value tied to engineering specifications.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For businesses involved in Botswana's HS Code 8502 import activities, the market's differentiation suggests limited pricing power for buyers, as suppliers control specialized high-value products. Strategic focus should target niche segments like high-efficiency non-combustion sets or cost-effective small diesel units, based on analysis of HS Code 8502 trade data highlighting these value tiers.

Table: Botswana HS Code 8502) Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

Check Detailed HS Code 8502 Breakdown

Botswana Generating Sets Import (HS 8502) Origin Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

Botswana's imports of Generating Sets in April 2025 show a dual-source structure. South Africa is the dominant origin by value, accounting for 58.95% of the total import value. However, its share of the total quantity is just 8.91%, indicating Botswana primarily sources high-value, premium generating sets from its neighbor. In stark contrast, China supplies 90.79% of the total units but only 37.53% of the value, pointing to a strategy of importing a large volume of lower-cost units.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The trade data reveals two distinct clusters for HS Code 8502. South Africa forms a High-Yield Cluster, where its high value share against a low quantity share suggests it is the source for sophisticated, high-power, or emergency backup generators. China represents a pure Volume Cluster, as its enormous quantity share at a lower value per unit implies it is the source for standard, smaller, or more affordable models, likely serving different market segments or project needs. Minor partners like Germany and India form a Transactional Cluster, with their presence in the frequency data indicating occasional purchases of specialized or niche equipment.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's heavy reliance on South Africa for high-value Generating Sets creates a supply chain risk due to geographic concentration. The recent United States tariff increase on all imports from Botswana, effective 9 April 2025 [Global Trade Alert], does not directly affect these import flows but underscores a broader trend of rising trade barriers. For future stability, diversifying sources for premium equipment beyond South Africa could mitigate potential disruptions and may become necessary if global trade policies continue to shift.

Table: Botswana Generating Sets (HS 8502) Top Origin Countries (Source: yTrade)

Get Complete Origin Countries Profile

Botswana Generating Sets (HS 8502) Suppliers Analysis

Supplier Concentration and Dominance

According to yTrade data, the Botswana Generating Sets import suppliers market in April 2025 shows high concentration, with a small group of high-value and high-frequency suppliers responsible for 91.30% of the total import value. These suppliers handle 36.66% of the quantity but dominate in value, indicating they deal with premium or critical components. The typical trade involves significant monetary transactions per shipment, reflecting a reliance on few key partners for most of the import needs.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The dominant high-value suppliers, such as TAIZHOU ZHONGSHENG GLASS FIBER PRODUCTS CO., LTD and BUNDU POWER, appear to be manufacturers or specialized producers, suggesting a direct-to-factory sourcing model for HS code 8502 suppliers. In contrast, the lower-value cluster includes companies like FUQING RAYING IMPORT AND EXPORT CO.,LTD and ATLAS GROUP WHOLESALER, which are trading firms, indicating an intermediated role for smaller, more frequent transactions. This structure points to a market where core imports come directly from producers, while ancillary items are handled through distributors.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

For importers in Botswana, the strategy should prioritize maintaining strong relationships with the high-value manufacturers to ensure supply stability and cost efficiency. The high dependence on a few suppliers poses a risk of disruptions, so exploring diversification into more suppliers could mitigate vulnerabilities. The sourcing model favors direct engagements for critical generating sets, aligning with the need for reliable and high-quality imports in this sector.

Table: Botswana Generating Sets (HS 8502) Top Suppliers List (Source: yTrade)

Check Full Generating Sets Supplier lists

Action Plan for Generating Sets Market Operation and Expansion

• Diversify premium sourcing beyond South Africa using hs code 8502 trade data to identify alternative high-specification suppliers, reducing geographic concentration risk in the Generating Sets supply chain.
• Strengthen direct relationships with high-value manufacturers like BUNDU POWER to secure favorable terms and ensure stable access to critical, high-unit-price equipment for Botswana's Generating Sets Import.
• Target niche import segments like non-combustion generating sets by analyzing product-level hs code 8502 trade data, capturing higher margins in specialized markets within Botswana's import strategy.
• Monitor global trade policy shifts and supplier frequency data to proactively adjust the Generating Sets supply chain, mitigating risks from rising tariffs or logistical disruptions affecting key partners.

Take Action Now —— Explore Botswana Generating Sets Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Botswana Generating Sets Import 2025 April?

The surge in import value to $741.53K in April 2025 reflects heightened demand, likely due to infrastructure or energy security needs, with a 26% month-on-month increase potentially accelerated by pre-tariff bulk purchases.

Q2. Who are the main origin countries of Botswana Generating Sets (HS Code 8502) 2025 April?

South Africa dominates by value (58.95%) for high-end units, while China supplies 90.79% of total quantity but only 37.53% of value, indicating a split between premium and volume-driven sourcing.

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

Price gaps stem from product specialization: South Africa supplies high-value non-combustion sets ($1,304/unit), while China provides cost-effective small diesel units (as low as $178/unit).

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

Prioritize direct relationships with high-value manufacturers (e.g., TAIZHOU ZHONGSHENG) for critical equipment, while diversifying suppliers to mitigate over-reliance on South Africa’s premium segment.

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

Suppliers of specialized high-power sets (e.g., South African manufacturers) retain pricing power, while Chinese volume-focused traders face competition in the lower-value segment.

Q6. How is Generating Sets typically used in this trade flow?

Imports serve differentiated needs: high-efficiency non-combustion sets for critical infrastructure and small diesel units for cost-sensitive projects, reflecting Botswana’s dual energy demand.