Botswana Plastic Packaging Import Market -- HS Code 3923 Trade Data & Price Trend (Q1 2025)

Botswana Plastic Packaging Import (HS 3923) Key Takeaways

Botswana’s plastic packaging imports under HS Code 3923 in Q1 2025 reveal a market split between high-value durable containers (like boxes at $4.03/unit) and lower-cost standard items, with suppliers heavily concentrated around key manufacturers like CIBA PACKAGING. South Africa dominates supply (82% of volume), but higher-value imports come from Germany and China, exposing reliance risks. February saw a price spike ($3.78/kg) ahead of seasonal demand, while March’s tariff-rate quota opening triggered a volume surge and price drop to $1.61/kg. This analysis is based on cleanly processed customs data from the yTrade database for Q1 2025.

Botswana Plastic Packaging Import (HS 3923) Background

What is HS Code 3923?

HS Code 3923 covers plastics articles for the conveyance or packing of goods, including items like containers, bottles, and other packaging solutions. This category is critical for industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and logistics, where durable and lightweight packaging is essential. Global demand remains stable due to its versatility and cost-effectiveness in supply chains.

Current Context and Strategic Position

Recent updates highlight Namibia's seasonal restrictions on plastic packaging imports, allowing entry only from March to November [BURS]. This policy could indirectly impact Botswana's plastic packaging import dynamics, as regional trade flows often influence neighboring markets. Botswana's reliance on imported plastic packaging underscores the need for vigilance in tracking HS Code 3923 trade data, especially given its role in supporting local manufacturing and retail sectors. Monitoring these trends is crucial for stakeholders navigating supply chain disruptions or policy shifts.

Botswana Plastic Packaging Import (HS 3923) Price Trend

Key Observations

The Botswana Plastic Packaging Import trend in Q1 2025 showed import values rising from 2.53 million USD in January to 3.72 million in February, before easing to 3.02 million in March, with unit prices fluctuating between $1.61 and $3.78 per kg, indicating volatile market conditions.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The sequential increase in February's value and unit price to $3.78/kg likely reflected pre-season stockpiling ahead of key demand periods. However, March's surge in volume to 1.88 million kg and sharp price drop to $1.61/kg correlate with the opening of the import window under the tariff-rate quota system, which permits shipments from March to November as per the BURS schedule [BURS], driving higher volumes at competitive prices. This policy shift explains the quarter-end volatility in the hs code 3923 value trend.

Botswana Plastic Packaging Import (HS 3923) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In Q1 2025, Botswana's HS Code 3923 import is dominated by plastic boxes and cases, which account for over 22% of the total import value despite a low quantity share, indicating a focus on higher-value packaging solutions. According to yTrade data, this sub-category commands a unit price of 4.03 USD per unit, significantly above the average, highlighting specialization in durable transport containers. Extreme price anomalies are present, including plastic spools with unit prices up to 122.83 USD per unit and bulk sacks as low as 0.01 USD per unit; these are isolated from the main analysis due to their outlier status.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The non-anomalous imports under HS Code 3923 for Botswana can be grouped into two tiers: higher-grade items like certain sacks and boxes with unit prices from 1.67 to 4.03 USD per unit, and standard packaging such as bottles, closures, and general articles priced between 0.27 and 0.58 USD per unit. This structure reflects a trade in differentiated manufactured goods, where product functionality and material quality drive value, rather than a commoditized market tied to bulk indices.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Analysis of HS Code 3923 trade data shows that suppliers of specialized, high-value packaging enjoy stronger pricing power, while importers face opportunities to optimize costs by targeting lower-priced standard items. For Botswana's HS Code 3923 import strategy, focusing on product-specific sourcing and negotiating based on value-add features will be key to managing expenses and supply chain efficiency.

Table: Botswana HS Code 3923) Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

Check Detailed HS Code 3923 Breakdown

Botswana Plastic Packaging Import (HS 3923) Origin Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In Q1 2025, SOUTH AFRICA was the dominant source for Botswana's Plastic Packaging imports, accounting for 82.26% of the quantity and 86.45% of shipment frequency. However, its value share was lower at 68.07%, indicating that these imports are primarily lower-value or bulk Plastic Packaging items. The high frequency suggests frequent, small-scale shipments, typical for retail or distribution supply chains in manufactured goods like packaging.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The remaining origins can be grouped into two clusters. First, a High-Yield Cluster includes GERMANY, CHINA MAINLAND, CHINA HONGKONG, and ITALY, where value shares exceed quantity shares, pointing to imports of higher-value or specialized Plastic Packaging, likely due to quality or brand preferences. Second, BOTSWANA itself appears as a source with high quantity share (9.92%) but low value (2.94%), which is classified as re-importation, possibly due to returned goods or reverse logistics, such as unsold inventory or quality returns common in manufacturing.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's heavy reliance on SOUTH AFRICA for Plastic Packaging imports poses a supply chain risk, emphasizing the need to diversify sources to ensure stability. Exploring alternative suppliers from the High-Yield Cluster could reduce dependency and potentially improve product variety. Analysis of HS Code 3923 trade data shows no immediate shifts requiring news-based adjustments, but ongoing monitoring is advised for market changes.

Table: Botswana Plastic Packaging (HS 3923) Top Origin Countries (Source: yTrade)

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Botswana Plastic Packaging (HS 3923) Suppliers Analysis

Supplier Concentration and Dominance

In Q1 2025, the Botswana Plastic Packaging import suppliers market shows strong concentration. According to yTrade data, a small set of high-value, high-frequency suppliers leads with 73.85% of the total import value. These suppliers handle regular, substantial shipments, making them the core of the trade.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The dominant group includes firms like CIBA PACKAGING PTY LTD and KROMBERG & SCHUBERT SOUTH AFRICA PTY LTD, which are likely direct manufacturers. This points to a Direct-to-Factory model for HS code 3923 suppliers. Other clusters contribute smaller shares, with high-value low-frequency suppliers managing large but infrequent orders, and low-value groups having minor roles.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

Botswana importers should focus on securing relationships with key manufacturers to ensure steady supply. The heavy reliance on a few suppliers increases vulnerability to disruptions. Diversifying sources could reduce risks. Import schedules from BURS may influence timing, as noted in their tariff notes [BURS], requiring careful planning.

Table: Botswana Plastic Packaging (HS 3923) Top Suppliers List (Source: yTrade)

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Action Plan for Plastic Packaging Market Operation and Expansion

• Use hs code 3923 trade data to identify and qualify alternative high-value suppliers from the High-Yield Cluster (e.g., Germany, China) to diversify away from South Africa; this reduces supply chain risk for Botswana's Plastic Packaging Import and secures access to specialized products.
• Negotiate directly with core high-frequency manufacturers, like CIBA PACKAGING, using detailed shipment data to lock in favorable terms for high-value items like plastic boxes; this leverages your position as a key partner to control costs and ensure supply stability.
• Analyze sub-category unit prices within the hs code 3923 trade data to split your sourcing strategy, buying standard items like bottles in bulk for cost savings and reserving high-value purchases for specialized needs; this optimizes the total spend for your Plastic Packaging supply chain.
• Monitor the order patterns of your top suppliers in the import data to anticipate their production cycles and align your delivery schedules; this prevents inventory gaps or overstocking and maintains a lean Plastic Packaging supply chain.
• Investigate the high-quantity, low-value re-imports from Botswana flagged in the data to understand if they represent reverse logistics waste; eliminating unnecessary returns cuts hidden costs and streamlines import operations.

Take Action Now —— Explore Botswana Plastic Packaging Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Botswana Plastic Packaging Import 2025 Q1?

The Q1 2025 import trend shows volatility, with February's value surge linked to pre-season stockpiling and March's price drop tied to the tariff-rate quota system opening, which boosted volume but lowered unit prices.

Q2. Who are the main origin countries of Botswana Plastic Packaging (HS Code 3923) 2025 Q1?

SOUTH AFRICA dominates with 82.26% of quantity and 68.07% of value, followed by a High-Yield Cluster (GERMANY, CHINA, ITALY) supplying higher-value items.

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

Price gaps stem from product specialization: SOUTH AFRICA focuses on lower-value bulk items, while the High-Yield Cluster supplies premium packaging like durable boxes (up to 4.03 USD/unit).

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

Importers should prioritize securing relationships with key manufacturers (e.g., CIBA PACKAGING) and diversify sources to mitigate reliance on SOUTH AFRICA’s bulk-dominated supply.

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

Suppliers from High-Yield Cluster countries (GERMANY, CHINA, ITALY) have growth opportunities, as Botswana seeks higher-value alternatives to reduce dependency on SOUTH AFRICA.

Q6. How is Plastic Packaging typically used in this trade flow?

Imports under HS Code 3923 primarily serve packaging needs, with high-value items like transport boxes and sacks for durable goods, while standard bottles and closures cater to bulk applications.

Detailed Monthly Report

Botswana HS3923 Import Snapshot 2025 JAN

Botswana HS3923 Import Snapshot 2025 FEB

Botswana HS3923 Import Snapshot 2025 MAR