Botswana Plastic Packaging Import Market -- HS Code 3923 Trade Data & Price Trend (Q3 2025)

Botswana Plastic Packaging Import (HS 3923) Key Takeaways

In Q3 2025, Botswana's plastic packaging imports (HS Code 3923) were dominated by mid-value plastic boxes and cases, with a clear split between low-cost, high-volume items and specialized sacks for higher margins. The market showed sharp volatility, peaking in August before stabilizing, likely due to economic shifts from US trade policies. Supplier concentration is high, with South Africa handling 65.83% of import value and key distributors like NEW CLICKS SOUTH AFRICA controlling bulk shipments. Germany and China emerged as high-yield partners for premium products, offering diversification from South Africa's bulk dominance. This analysis is based on cleanly processed customs data from the yTrade database, covering Q3 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 packaging materials. This category is critical for industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and logistics, where durable and lightweight packaging solutions are in high demand. Global trade in this sector remains stable due to consistent industrial and consumer needs.

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 underscores the need for vigilance in Botswana's plastic packaging import market, particularly for HS Code 3923 trade data. Botswana's strategic role in regional supply chains and its reliance on plastic packaging for key exports highlight the importance of monitoring tariff impacts and trade flows. Stakeholders must assess how these changes affect competitiveness and sourcing strategies.

Botswana Plastic Packaging Import (HS 3923) Price Trend

Key Observations

In Q3 2025, Botswana's plastic packaging imports showed marked volatility, with values ranging from $2.93 million in July to $4.13 million in August before easing to $3.07 million in September. Unit prices fluctuated between $1.67 and $2.75 per kg, reflecting a turbulent quarter for the hs code 3923 value trend.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Botswana Plastic Packaging Import trend built on a steady Q2 climb, but Q3 opened with a July dip to $2.93 million before August's surge to $4.13 million—the highest monthly value in 2025—driven by a weight increase to 2.47 million kg and a unit price drop to $1.67/kg. This volatility likely stems from importers adjusting to economic uncertainty after the US imposed a 37% duty on all Botswana exports in April [Global Trade Alert], disrupting typical industry cycles where packaging demand ties closely to manufacturing and export flows. The September cooldown to $3.07 million suggests a return to more stable ordering patterns.

Botswana Plastic Packaging Import (HS 3923) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In Q3 2025, Botswana's import of HS Code 3923 is heavily concentrated on plastic boxes and cases, which account for nearly a quarter of the total value. According to yTrade data, this sub-code demonstrates a unit price of $2.00 per unit, indicating a focus on standardized, mid-value packaging solutions. Two anomalies with significantly higher unit prices—plastic spools and specific ethylene polymer sacks—are present but isolated from the main analysis due to their niche, high-cost nature.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The non-anomalous imports split into two clear groups: low-cost, high-volume items like plastic closures and bottles, priced under $0.15 per unit, and medium-value sacks and bags, ranging from $0.71 to $2.14 per unit. This division shows a trade in differentiated manufactured goods rather than fungible commodities, with products tailored to specific packing needs rather than being index-linked bulk materials.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Importers should target high-volume, low-cost items for cost efficiency and explore specialized sacks for better margins. The presence of varied unit prices under HS Code 3923 trade data suggests limited pricing power for buyers in standardized segments, urging a focus on supplier diversification or value-added niches to mitigate cost pressures.

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

South Africa is the dominant source for Botswana's Plastic Packaging imports in Q3 2025, accounting for 65.83% of the total import value. This share is significantly lower than its 88.79% share of the total weight. This gap means Botswana pays less per kilogram for packaging from South Africa, pointing to high-volume purchases of basic or bulk plastic packaging materials. South Africa also handled 83.59% of all import transactions, confirming its role as the primary and frequent supplier for this HS Code 3923 trade.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The import partners form two clear clusters. The first is a High-Yield cluster of Germany and China. Germany provides 15.82% of the value from just 8.65% of the weight, and China provides 7.20% of the value from 1.04% of the weight. This indicates these countries supply more specialized, higher-value plastic packaging products. The second is a Transactional cluster containing all other partners, including France, Portugal, and the UK. These countries have very low shares of weight and value but contribute to the diversity of supply with smaller, likely more customized shipments.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's supply chain for plastic packaging is heavily dependent on South Africa for bulk needs. This creates a risk from any disruption in that trade route. The strategy should be to use the high-yield partners, Germany and China, for more complex packaging requirements. Meanwhile, the diverse transactional cluster offers options for niche products and can help mitigate over-reliance on a single source for Botswana's Plastic Packaging Import needs.

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

According to yTrade data, the Botswana Plastic Packaging Import suppliers in Q3 2025 show a highly concentrated market. High value and high frequency suppliers dominate with 81.26% of the total import value, handling large and frequent shipments that define the typical trade flow. This group accounts for 85.70% of quantity and 70.03% of frequency, indicating a reliance on consistent, high-volume partners for plastic packaging needs.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The profile of HS code 3923 suppliers points to a distribution-driven market, with dominant players like NEW CLICKS SOUTH AFRICA and SHOPRITE CHECKERS PTY LTD acting as key intermediaries. Other clusters play smaller roles: high value but low frequency suppliers contribute 14.13% of value for specialized needs, while low value groups handle minor, occasional shipments. This structure suggests that most imports are channeled through established distributors rather than direct manufacturers.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

Botswana importers should prioritize strengthening ties with high-value distributors to ensure supply stability, but diversify to mitigate over-reliance risks. Potential cost increases from customs duty changes, as noted in [BURS] schedules, could impact profitability, urging a focus on cost-efficient sourcing models. (BURS)

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

Check Full Plastic Packaging Supplier lists

Action Plan for Plastic Packaging Market Operation and Expansion

• Use hs code 3923 trade data to diversify beyond dominant high-frequency suppliers, reducing over-reliance and securing better negotiation power for Botswana's Plastic Packaging Import needs.
• Target high-yield partners like Germany and China for specialized, higher-margin products, leveraging their value-to-weight ratio to optimize the Plastic Packaging supply chain.
• Prioritize bulk sourcing from South Africa for cost-efficient, high-volume items, using trade data to lock in favorable rates and maintain stable supply for standard packaging.
• Develop contingency plans with transactional cluster suppliers for niche or custom orders, ensuring flexibility and minimizing disruption risks in the Plastic Packaging supply chain.

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 Q3?

Botswana's plastic packaging imports showed volatility in Q3 2025, peaking at $4.13 million in August before easing to $3.07 million in September. This reflects economic uncertainty after the US imposed a 37% duty on Botswana exports, disrupting typical trade cycles tied to manufacturing demand.

Q2. Who are the main origin countries of Botswana Plastic Packaging (HS Code 3923) 2025 Q3?

South Africa dominates with 65.83% of import value, followed by Germany (15.82%) and China (7.20%). South Africa supplies bulk materials, while Germany and China provide higher-value specialized products.

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

Price differences stem from product specialization: South Africa supplies low-cost, high-volume items like plastic closures, while Germany and China focus on premium sacks and bags priced up to $2.14 per unit.

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

Importers should prioritize high-volume distributors like NEW CLICKS SOUTH AFRICA for stability but diversify sourcing to mitigate over-reliance risks. High-value niches from Germany or China offer margin opportunities.

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

South African suppliers benefit from bulk demand, while German and Chinese exporters can capitalize on specialized high-yield segments. Transactional partners (e.g., France, UK) fill niche gaps.

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

Plastic packaging imports are primarily standardized boxes, cases, and sacks for industrial or retail use, with a split between low-cost bulk items and higher-value specialized solutions.

Detailed Monthly Report

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