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

Botswana Generating Sets Import (HS 8502) Key Takeaways

Botswana's Generating Sets imports in August 2025, based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database, show a market dominated by specialized, high-value electric generating sets (48.93% share under HS code 85023900). The trade is highly concentrated, with 89.72% of value controlled by a few key suppliers, creating supply chain risks. South Africa supplies 71.9% of import value, reflecting premium pricing, while China leads in volume with cheaper units. After a volatile year, August saw a modest rebound in import value ($407.26K) with lower unit prices, signaling potential market adjustments. Importers should diversify sourcing to mitigate reliance on a narrow supplier and geographic base. This HS code 8502 trade data reveals a market split between high-grade and bulk segments, demanding strategic sourcing decisions.

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, mining, and emergency backup systems. These products ensure stable electricity supply in regions with unreliable grids, driving consistent global demand. Botswana's generating sets import under this code reflects its reliance on supplementary power solutions for industrial and commercial operations.

Current Context and Strategic Position

The U.S. administration recently imposed a 37% additional duty on all imports from Botswana, effective April 2025 [Global Trade Alert]. This policy shift could disrupt Botswana's generating sets import trade flow, particularly for U.S.-linked supply chains. Botswana's strategic significance lies in its growing industrial sector, which depends on reliable power infrastructure. Monitoring hs code 8502 trade data is now essential to assess the impact of these tariffs and identify alternative markets. Vigilance is key to navigating this evolving trade landscape.

Botswana Generating Sets Import (HS 8502) Price Trend

Key Observations

Botswana's imports of generating sets (HS code 8502) in August 2025 reached $407.26 thousand USD, with a unit price of $5.30 per kg, marking a slight recovery from July's lows.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Botswana Generating Sets Import trend showed significant volatility through 2025, with value peaking in April and May above $740 thousand before declining in June and July. August's modest rebound in value, coupled with a lower unit price and higher volume, suggests potential inventory adjustments or competitive pricing pressures. This hs code 8502 value trend may reflect broader economic factors, such as currency fluctuations or shifts in demand for power infrastructure, rather than a consistent seasonal pattern. The sequential improvement from July aligns with possible stabilization in supply chains or renewed project-based purchasing.

Botswana Generating Sets Import (HS 8502) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In August 2025, Botswana's import of HS Code 8502 is heavily concentrated on electric generating sets excluding those with spark-ignition or compression-ignition engines, according to yTrade data. This sub-code, 85023900, dominates with a 48.93% value share and a high unit price of 2887.93 USD per unit, showing a focus on specialized, higher-value equipment.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining imports under HS Code 8502 fall into two main groups: generating sets with compression-ignition diesel engines (varying by output capacity, with unit prices from 324.61 to 12834.03 USD) and those with spark-ignition engines (459.87 USD per unit). This structure, with wide price ranges and specific technical features, indicates a market for differentiated manufactured goods rather than uniform commodities.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Analysis of HS Code 8502 trade data suggests that suppliers of high-unit-price items like large diesel sets have strong pricing power. Importers in Botswana should prioritize sourcing from specialized manufacturers to capture value in niche segments, rather than competing on bulk, lower-grade products.

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 August 2025 were heavily concentrated, with just two partners accounting for all trade. South Africa was the dominant source, providing 71.9% of the total import value. However, China supplied 54.21% of the total quantity. The significant gap between South Africa's high value share (71.9%) and its lower quantity share (45.79%) indicates its shipments consist of higher-grade, more expensive generating sets. Conversely, China's higher quantity share against its value share points to a focus on more affordable, bulk units. South Africa's high shipment frequency also suggests a supply chain built on regular, smaller consignments.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The data reveals two distinct sourcing clusters for HS Code 8502. South Africa forms a "High-Yield Cluster," characterized by premium pricing for its generating set exports to Botswana. This aligns with its role as a regional manufacturing and services hub, likely supplying advanced models and supporting maintenance. China represents a clear "Volume Cluster," functioning as a source for high-quantity, lower-cost units. This reflects its position as a global mass manufacturer, catering to demand for cost-effective power solutions.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's heavy reliance on South Africa for high-value Generating Sets creates a notable supply chain risk. Any disruption to this single route could significantly impact the availability of critical equipment. A key strategy would be to develop alternative sources for premium models to mitigate this dependency. While the recent U.S. tariff increase on all imports from Botswana [GlobalTradeAlert] does not directly affect these two partners, it underscores a broader environment of trade policy volatility that requires careful monitoring for Botswana's overall import strategy.

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

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Botswana Generating Sets (HS 8502) Suppliers Analysis

Supplier Concentration and Dominance

According to yTrade data, the Botswana Generating Sets import market in August 2025 is heavily concentrated. Suppliers with high value and high frequency dominate, holding 89.72% of the import value share. This shows that the typical trade for Botswana's Generating Sets imports involves consistent, high-value shipments from a small group of key players.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The other active group consists of suppliers with low value but high frequency, contributing 10.28% of the value. The dominant high-value suppliers, like DANENG GROUP CO.,LTD, have names suggesting trading or e-commerce roles, indicating an intermediated market for HS code 8502 goods. This means imports are primarily handled through agents or distributors rather than direct from factories.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

For importers in Botswana, this setup allows efficient sourcing through intermediaries but creates reliance on a few high-value suppliers, increasing risk if supply chains are disrupted. Exploring direct relationships with manufacturers could diversify sources and reduce vulnerability. The provided news context does not offer directly relevant support for this analysis.

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 by using hs code 8502 trade data to identify alternative manufacturers of high-specification units; this reduces vulnerability in the Botswana Generating Sets Import market to a single supply route for critical equipment.
• Develop direct relationships with OEM manufacturers instead of relying solely on trading intermediaries; this increases pricing power and secures better technical support for Botswana's Generating Sets supply chain.
• Use unit price analysis from trade data to segment purchases, sourcing high-volume, lower-cost units from China for bulk needs and reserving the premium South African supply for specialized applications; this optimizes the total cost structure for the Botswana Generating Sets Import.
• Monitor trade policy alerts and hs code 8502 trade data frequency to anticipate logistical disruptions or tariff changes; this protects the Generating Sets supply chain from sudden cost increases or delays.

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 August?

The August 2025 rebound in import value ($407.26K) reflects potential inventory adjustments or competitive pricing pressures, following a volatile year with peaks above $740K in April-May. The lower unit price ($5.30/kg) alongside higher volume suggests stabilization in supply chains or renewed project-based demand.

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

Botswana sourced all imports from just two partners: South Africa (71.9% value share) and China (54.21% quantity share), highlighting extreme geographic concentration.

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

South Africa’s higher-value, lower-quantity shipments (premium diesel sets priced up to $12,834.03/unit) contrast with China’s bulk, affordable units ($459.87/unit for spark-ignition models), reflecting distinct product grades.

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

Prioritize specialized manufacturers for high-value equipment (e.g., large diesel sets) to capture niche value, while diversifying beyond the dominant high-value suppliers (89.72% market share) to mitigate supply chain risks.

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

South African suppliers benefit from premium pricing power in a high-yield cluster, while Chinese exporters dominate volume-driven demand, but both face reliance on a narrow buyer base in Botswana.

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

The imports cater to differentiated power infrastructure needs, from high-capacity diesel sets for industrial use to smaller, cost-effective units for broader electrification.