Botswana Plastic Packaging Import Market -- HS Code 3923 Trade Data & Price Trend (Q2 2025)

Botswana Plastic Packaging Import (HS 3923) Key Takeaways

Botswana's plastic packaging imports under HS Code 3923 in Q2 2025 reveal a market split between high-value plastic boxes ($3.11/kg) and low-cost bulk items, with South Africa dominating 85.61% of shipments but Germany and China supplying premium products. Import values surged from $2.82M in April to $3.59M in June, signaling recovery after Q1 volatility, while supplier concentration (81.14% controlled by high-volume players) raises supply chain risks. This analysis, based on cleaned 2025 Q2 customs data from the yTrade database, highlights Botswana's reliance on regional hubs and specialized packaging segments.

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, excluding specific items like boxes, sacks, and bottles. This category is critical for industries such as logistics, food and beverage, and retail, where durable and lightweight packaging solutions are in high demand. Global trade in this sector remains stable due to consistent industrial and consumer needs for efficient packaging.

Current Context and Strategic Position

The U.S. recently increased additional duties on all imports from Botswana to 37%, effective April 2025 [Global Trade Alert]. This policy shift directly impacts Botswana's plastic packaging import trade, particularly for HS Code 3923 goods. Botswana's strategic role in this trade flow is tied to its regional trade agreements, such as MERCOSUR tariff rate quotas, which influence its export competitiveness. Monitoring Botswana's plastic packaging import trends under HS Code 3923 trade data is now essential to navigate these heightened trade barriers and identify emerging opportunities.

Botswana Plastic Packaging Import (HS 3923) Price Trend

Key Observations

In Q2 2025, the Botswana Plastic Packaging Import trend showed a strong upward trajectory, with import value rising from 2.82 million USD in April to 3.59 million USD in June. Unit prices recovered from earlier volatility, increasing to $3.32/kg by the end of the quarter, indicating a stabilization in market conditions.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Q2 performance built on the high volatility observed in Q1, where a sharp unit price drop to $1.61/kg in March coincided with a volume spike, likely driven by industry stocking cycles or bulk procurement strategies. Sequential growth from April to June in both value and unit price suggests a market adjustment, possibly influenced by the U.S. duty increase on Botswana exports [Global Trade Alert] in April, which may have prompted economic recalibration and import cost evaluations. The hs code 3923 value trend reflects these dynamics, with plastic packaging demand often tied to manufacturing rhythms and global resin price fluctuations, supporting the recovery seen in late Q2. (Global Trade Alert)

Botswana Plastic Packaging Import (HS 3923) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data for 2025 Q2, Botswana's import of HS Code 3923 is dominated by plastic boxes, cases, and crates, which account for nearly 23% of the total import value. This product commands a unit price of $3.11 per kilogram, significantly higher than most other packaging forms, indicating a specialized, higher-value segment within the market. One extreme price anomaly exists—a type of ethylene polymer sack priced at $38.38 per kilogram—which has been isolated from the main analysis due to its atypical market behavior.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining imports break into two clear tiers: mid-range products like various sacks, bags, and general plastic articles (priced between $0.82–$1.87/kg), and low-cost, high-volume items such as closures, bottles, and supports (priced at $0.04–$0.22/kg). This structure shows a mix of standardized, bulk-ordered goods and slightly more customized solutions, suggesting that trade in HS Code 3923 for Botswana includes both commodity-like and differentiated manufactured products.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Suppliers of specialized items like plastic boxes hold stronger pricing power, while producers of high-volume closures and bottles compete on cost efficiency. For businesses analyzing HS Code 3923 trade data, focusing on higher-margin, durable packaging solutions may offer better returns, whereas high-volume/low-price segments are likely more sensitive to raw material costs and shipping efficiencies.

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 Q2 2025, South Africa was the top source for Botswana Plastic Packaging Import, with 85.61% of shipment frequency and 83.24% of quantity. Its value share was lower at 63.38%, indicating that imports are mostly bulk or lower-end packaging materials. The high frequency suggests frequent, small shipments, common for retail or fresh goods logistics.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

Origin countries group into two clusters. South Africa is a Volume/Hub Cluster due to its high volume and frequency, driven by proximity and trade routes for cost-effective packaging. Germany and China Mainland form a High-Yield Cluster, with value shares over 10% but lower quantity, pointing to premium or specialized packaging demand. Botswana itself appears with a 10.93% quantity share but low value, signaling re-importation from returned goods or supply chain adjustments.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's heavy reliance on South Africa for Plastic Packaging calls for diversifying sources to reduce supply chain risks. The re-import volume from Botswana highlights potential inefficiencies like quality returns, requiring better reverse logistics management. Monitoring HS Code 3923 trade data can aid in finding stable alternatives for future imports.

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 Q2 2025, the supplier structure for Botswana's plastic packaging imports shows high concentration. According to yTrade data, high value and high frequency suppliers dominate, accounting for 81.14% of the total import value. This group handles 89.10% of the quantity, indicating that the typical trade involves large, regular shipments from a few key players in the Botswana plastic packaging import market.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The remaining clusters include high value low frequency suppliers with 13.76% value share, low value high frequency at 2.26%, and low value low frequency at 2.84%. The dominant high value high frequency group, with companies like YIWU SJO INTER CO.,LIMITED and NEW AGE PLASTICS PTY LTD, suggests an intermediated market where trading firms play a key role. The profile of HS code 3923 suppliers points to a mix of direct manufacturers and agents, shaping a trade environment reliant on consistent, high-volume partners.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

For Botswana importers, the strategy should focus on securing relationships with dominant suppliers to ensure supply stability, while exploring low value clusters for cost-saving opportunities. The high dependence on a small group poses a risk of disruption. External factors, such as the US increasing duties on imports from Botswana [Global Trade Alert], could indirectly affect trade flows by heightening economic uncertainties, emphasizing the need for diversified sourcing.

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 build relationships with high-value, high-frequency suppliers to ensure stability for your Botswana Plastic Packaging Import operations and mitigate the risk of supply disruption from a concentrated partner base.
• Diversify your sourcing beyond South Africa by analyzing hs code 3923 trade data for alternative high-yield partners in markets like Germany to strengthen your Plastic Packaging supply chain against regional volatility and logistical bottlenecks.
• Shift procurement focus toward higher-margin, specialized products like plastic boxes and cases, as hs code 3923 trade data shows they command stronger pricing power and better returns compared to high-volume, low-cost commodity items.
• Monitor and analyze your own import records for any Botswana Plastic Packaging Import anomalies or re-imports to identify potential inefficiencies in reverse logistics or quality control, enabling faster corrective action and cost savings.

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 Q2?

The import value rose from $2.82M in April to $3.59M in June, with unit prices stabilizing at $3.32/kg. This recovery follows Q1 volatility, likely influenced by U.S. duty increases and global resin price fluctuations.

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

South Africa dominates with 85.61% shipment frequency and 63.38% value share, while Germany and China Mainland form a smaller High-Yield Cluster for premium packaging.

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

Prices vary due to product specialization—South Africa supplies bulk/low-end materials, while Germany and China export higher-value items like durable plastic boxes ($3.11/kg) versus closures ($0.04/kg).

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

Prioritize relationships with dominant high-volume suppliers (81.14% value share) for stability, while exploring niche High-Yield Cluster suppliers for specialized or premium solutions.

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

South African suppliers benefit from bulk demand, but German/Chinese exporters have opportunities in high-margin segments. Over-reliance on South Africa poses supply chain risks for Botswana.

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

Imports include durable solutions like plastic boxes (23% value share) for specialized uses and bulk items (e.g., sacks, bottles) for cost-sensitive applications.

Detailed Monthly Report

Botswana HS3923 Import Snapshot 2025 APR

Botswana HS3923 Import Snapshot 2025 MAY