Botswana Steel Structures Import Market -- HS Code 7308 Trade Data & Price Trend (Feb 2025)

Botswana Steel Structures Import (HS 7308) Key Takeaways

Botswana's steel structures imports under HS Code 7308 surged 93% in value to $3.09M in February 2025, driven by pre-construction demand and global steel volatility. The market is dominated by specialized general steel structures, accounting for over 60% of imports, with South Africa supplying 92% of shipments—highlighting deep regional integration but also supply chain risk. A single supplier group handles 80% of import value, creating efficiency but vulnerability. This analysis covers February 2025 and is based on cleanly processed customs data from the yTrade database.

Botswana Steel Structures Import (HS 7308) Background

What is HS Code 7308?

HS Code 7308 covers structures and parts of structures of iron or steel, including frameworks, towers, and prefabricated buildings. These components are critical for construction, infrastructure, and industrial projects, driving consistent global demand due to their versatility and durability. Botswana's steel structures import under this code reflects its reliance on these materials for domestic development and industrial expansion.

Current Context and Strategic Position

In October 2024, Botswana recorded its highest import value for HS Code 73089099 (a subcategory of 7308) at USD 4.87 million, signaling robust demand for steel structures [Market Inside]. This trend underscores the country's strategic reliance on imported steel to support infrastructure and construction projects, particularly as domestic production remains limited. Monitoring Botswana's steel structures import under HS Code 7308 is essential for stakeholders navigating supply chain dynamics and pricing fluctuations. The hs code 7308 trade data highlights Botswana's growing import dependency, emphasizing the need for market vigilance amid global steel trade shifts.

Botswana Steel Structures Import (HS 7308) Price Trend

Key Observations

In February 2025, Botswana's import of Steel Structures reached 3.09M USD at a unit price of $2.16 per kg, representing a sharp uptick from January's figures.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Botswana Steel Structures Import trend shows a strong sequential momentum, with value climbing 93% and volume rising 64% month-over-month into February. This surge aligns with typical pre-construction season inventory builds and may be influenced by global steel price volatility and local infrastructure demand cycles, driving the hs code 7308 value trend upward.

Botswana Steel Structures Import (HS 7308) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In February 2025, Botswana's imports under HS Code 7308 were dominated by general steel structures, specifically the sub-code for iron or steel structures not elsewhere classified, which accounted for over 60% of the import value and weight. According to yTrade data, this product had a unit price of 2.43 USD per kilogram, significantly higher than some other categories like basic scaffolding parts at 1.18 USD per kilogram, indicating a focus on more specialized or higher-grade structural components within this import stream.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining imports can be grouped into three main categories: scaffolding and shuttering equipment with unit prices around 1-2 USD per kilogram, tower and mast structures priced up to 3.56 USD per kilogram, and finished building components like doors and windows averaging 2-4 USD per kilogram. This structure shows a mix of bulk commodity-like items and differentiated manufactured goods, suggesting that Botswana's HS Code 7308 import activities involve both standard construction materials and higher-value engineered products, rather than purely fungible bulk trade.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Suppliers of the dominant general structures likely hold stronger pricing power due to high market share, while importers should diversify sources for specialized categories to mitigate cost risks. For businesses analyzing HS Code 7308 trade data, focusing on niche high-value segments like doors or towers could offer better margins, but requires careful negotiation given the price variations observed in Botswana's import patterns.

Table: Botswana HS Code 7308) Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

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Botswana Steel Structures Import (HS 7308) Origin Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

South Africa is the dominant source for Botswana's Steel Structures imports in February 2025. It supplied 92.33% of all shipments and 88.25% of the total import value. The value share is slightly lower than its 89.36% share of total weight, indicating a small trade in slightly lower-value or bulkier versions of these manufactured goods. This high frequency of shipments points to a deeply integrated, just-in-time supply chain between the two neighbors.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The remaining import origins form two clear clusters. China Mainland is a secondary Volume/Hub source, accounting for 10.80% of the weight but only 9.28% of the value. This profile suggests it is a source for cost-effective components or raw materials for further processing. A Niche/Transactional cluster includes India, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. These partners have very low shipment frequency but a high value relative to their weight, implying they supply specialized, high-value structural parts or custom fabrications for specific projects.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's import strategy for Steel Structures is heavily dependent on its border with South Africa. This ensures supply chain speed and reliability but creates a single point of failure. To build resilience, buyers could develop the secondary supply chain from China for bulk components. For critical, high-specification projects, the niche suppliers like India offer a valuable diversification option for specialized engineering needs.

Table: Botswana Steel Structures (HS 7308) Top Origin Countries (Source: yTrade)

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Botswana Steel Structures (HS 7308) Suppliers Analysis

Supplier Concentration and Dominance

According to yTrade data, the Botswana Steel Structures Import supplier market in February 2025 was highly concentrated. One group of suppliers dominated, handling over 80% of the import value. These suppliers also accounted for more than 60% of all shipments. The typical trade involved large, frequent deliveries, making this group the core of the supply base.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The profile of HS code 7308 suppliers indicates a direct-to-factory market. The dominant group includes companies like STEELWORLD ROOFING SYSTEMS and ECO TRUSS AFRICA CC, which appear to be manufacturers or fabricators. Other clusters play smaller roles. One set of suppliers delivers high value but less often, likely for project-based needs. Another group ships often but with lower value, possibly for maintenance or smaller orders. A final cluster has minimal impact on both value and frequency.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

Botswana's import strategy for steel structures relies heavily on a few key suppliers. This creates efficiency but also risk if any disruption occurs with these main partners. Buyers should maintain strong relationships with these core suppliers while developing backup options from the less frequent, high-value group for larger projects. The market's direct-to-factory nature suggests imports are tied to specific construction or industrial needs, not trading or speculation.

Table: Botswana Steel Structures (HS 7308) Top Suppliers List (Source: yTrade)

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Action Plan for Steel Structures Market Operation and Expansion

• Use hs code 7308 trade data to identify and qualify secondary suppliers from China and niche partners like India, reducing over-reliance on South Africa and strengthening the overall Steel Structures supply chain resilience.
• Negotiate directly with core fabricators like STEELWORLD ROOFING SYSTEMS using shipment frequency and volume data to secure preferential pricing and ensure steady supply for Botswana's Steel Structures Import needs.
• Develop a contingency plan with the niche, high-value supplier cluster for specialized project components, leveraging their low-frequency, high-specification profile to mitigate risks in critical Botswana Steel Structures Import activities.
• Monitor unit price trends within hs code 7308 trade data to anticipate cost changes for high-value items like doors and towers, enabling better budget planning and margin protection in the Steel Structures supply chain.

Take Action Now —— Explore Botswana Steel Structures Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Botswana Steel Structures Import 2025 February?

Botswana's Steel Structures imports surged 93% in value and 64% in volume month-over-month in February 2025, likely due to pre-construction season inventory builds and global steel price volatility.

Q2. Who are the main origin countries of Botswana Steel Structures (HS Code 7308) 2025 February?

South Africa dominated with 92.33% of shipments and 88.25% of import value, while China accounted for 10.80% of weight but only 9.28% of value.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across origin countries of Botswana Steel Structures Import?

Prices vary by product type: general structures averaged 2.43 USD/kg, scaffolding parts 1.18 USD/kg, and specialized towers or doors reached 3.56–4 USD/kg.

Q4. What should importers in Botswana focus on when buying Steel Structures?

Importers should maintain relationships with dominant suppliers like STEELWORLD ROOFING SYSTEMS while diversifying to niche high-value suppliers (e.g., India) for specialized projects.

Q5. What does this Botswana Steel Structures import pattern mean for overseas suppliers?

South African suppliers benefit from deep integration, while Chinese and niche suppliers (India, Zimbabwe) can target bulk or high-value custom orders, respectively.

Q6. How is Steel Structures typically used in this trade flow?

Imports are primarily direct-to-factory, serving construction and industrial needs, with a mix of standard materials and engineered products like doors or towers.