Botswana Telecommunication Equipment Import Market -- HS Code 8517 Trade Data & Price Trend (Jun 2025)

Botswana Telecommunication Equipment Import (HS 8517) Key Takeaways

Botswana’s telecommunication equipment imports under HS Code 8517 in June 2025 were dominated by high-value smartphones (43.25% share), signaling specialization in consumer electronics, while trade volatility persisted with a 5.61 million USD value drop amid US tariff pressures. Supplier concentration is extreme, with 98.33% of imports controlled by a few high-volume players like DIMENSION DATA PTY LTD, creating supply chain risks. China Mainland leads as the top origin (44.42% value share), but its high quantity share suggests reliance on lower-cost components, while premium equipment comes from the UK and Vietnam. This analysis is based on cleanly processed customs data from the yTrade database for June 2025.

Botswana Telecommunication Equipment Import (HS 8517) Background

What is HS Code 8517?

HS Code 8517 covers telephone sets and communication equipment, including smartphones. These products are essential for global connectivity, driven by demand from telecommunications, consumer electronics, and enterprise IT sectors. Their stable global significance stems from the ongoing digital transformation and reliance on mobile communication technologies.

Current Context and Strategic Position

The United States recently increased additional duties on all imports from Botswana to 37%, effective April 2025 [GlobalTradeAlert]. This policy shift underscores the need for vigilance in Botswana's telecommunication equipment import market, particularly for HS Code 8517 trade data. Botswana's strategic role in this trade flow is amplified by its growing digital infrastructure needs and regional trade dynamics. Monitoring these developments is critical for stakeholders navigating tariff impacts and supply chain adjustments.

Botswana Telecommunication Equipment Import (HS 8517) Price Trend

Key Observations

In June 2025, the Botswana Telecommunication Equipment Import trend registered a value of 5.61 million USD, with a unit price of $147.88 per kg, marking a significant decline from May's performance.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The hs code 8517 value trend showed considerable volatility through the first half of 2025, peaking at 13.91 million USD in March before dropping sharply to 6.33 million USD in April. This downturn coincided with the US administration's imposition of a 37 percent additional duty on all imports from Botswana effective April 9, 2025 [Global Trade Alert], which likely disrupted trade flows and increased costs. A partial recovery in May to 11.17 million USD, accompanied by a lower unit price of $79.51 per kg, suggested efforts to offset tariff impacts through bulk purchases or shifted sourcing. However, the subsequent fall in June indicates persistent challenges, possibly due to ongoing adjustments in supply chains and demand cycles typical for telecommunications infrastructure projects.

Botswana Telecommunication Equipment Import (HS 8517) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data for June 2025, Botswana's import of HS Code 8517 is dominated by smartphones under sub-code 85171310 for telephone sets and smartphones, which holds a 43.25% value share. This product has a unit price of 60.89 USD per unit, highlighting a specialization in high-value consumer electronics. No extreme price anomalies were identified in the data set.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining imports are grouped into finished telephones like other wireless sets, communication apparatus such as switching equipment, and parts. This structure points to a trade in differentiated manufactured goods with varied value-add stages, rather than fungible bulk commodities, reflecting a mix of consumer and industrial grades.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

The high value share of smartphones suggests strong pricing power for branded imports, while the diversity in other categories offers strategic options for cost-effective sourcing. Market players should prioritize high-margin products and monitor HS Code 8517 trade data for Botswana to adapt to shifting demand.

Table: Botswana HS Code 8517) Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

Check Detailed HS Code 8517 Breakdown

Botswana Telecommunication Equipment Import (HS 8517) Origin Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

China Mainland is the dominant source for Botswana's Telecommunication Equipment imports in June 2025, holding a 44.42% share of the total import value. However, its quantity share of 55.36% exceeds its value share, indicating that shipments from China consist largely of lower-value or bulkier components, such as basic parts or assemblies, rather than high-end finished products. The frequency share of 21.99% is moderate, suggesting steady but not overly fragmented shipments. This pattern points to Botswana relying on China for cost-effective, mass-produced telecommunication items, which aligns with global manufacturing trends for HS Code 8517 goods.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The top origin countries can be grouped into three clusters based on their trade profiles. The High-Yield Cluster includes the United Kingdom, Vietnam, and the United States, where value shares (7.72%, 7.13%, and 5.58% respectively) are significantly higher than their quantity shares (2.24%, 1.29%, and 0.57%), indicating supplies of premium, finished telecommunication equipment or specialized technology. The Volume Cluster comprises China Mainland, China Hongkong, and South Africa, with high quantity shares (55.36%, 16.14%, and 13.86%) driven by their roles as manufacturing hubs for bulk components. The Transactional Cluster is led by the United States, which has a very high frequency share of 40.98% despite a lower value share, suggesting frequent, small-scale shipments, likely for retail or aftermarket parts in Botswana's telecommunication sector.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

To ensure supply chain stability, Botswana should consider diversifying its sourcing away from over-reliance on China Mainland by increasing imports from High-Yield Cluster partners like the United Kingdom and Vietnam, which offer higher-value equipment. The high frequency from the United States indicates a need for efficient logistics to handle small, regular shipments, possibly through e-commerce channels. Monitoring trade data for HS Code 8517 will help in adjusting strategies to mitigate risks from single-source dependency and to capitalize on quality offerings from diverse origins.

Table: Botswana Telecommunication Equipment (HS 8517) Top Origin Countries (Source: yTrade)

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Botswana Telecommunication Equipment (HS 8517) Suppliers Analysis

Supplier Concentration and Dominance

In June 2025, the Botswana telecommunication equipment import market shows strong supplier concentration. According to yTrade data, a small group of high-value, high-frequency suppliers dominates, handling 98.33% of the total import value. These suppliers are responsible for nearly all the trade volume, indicating that the typical trade involves large, regular shipments from key partners.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The dominant high-value, high-frequency cluster includes companies like DIMENSION DATA PTY LTD and GUANGZHOU LITIAN LTD, suggesting a direct-to-factory or major distributor role for HS code 8517 suppliers. Other clusters play minor roles: high-value, low-frequency suppliers handle niche orders, while low-value groups contribute small, occasional shipments. This structure points to a market driven by established, high-volume relationships.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

Botswana's heavy reliance on a few high-value suppliers creates vulnerability to supply disruptions. Strategic focus should include diversifying sources to mitigate risks. The US duty increase on imports from Botswana [Global Trade Alert] may not directly impact these imports but signals broader trade tensions that could affect costs or availability. Leveraging high-frequency relationships for better terms is advised.

Table: Botswana Telecommunication Equipment (HS 8517) Top Suppliers List (Source: yTrade)

Check Full Telecommunication Equipment Supplier lists

Action Plan for Telecommunication Equipment Market Operation and Expansion

• Use hs code 8517 trade data to identify and onboard new suppliers from high-yield partners like the UK and Vietnam to diversify away from China; this reduces vulnerability in the Telecommunication Equipment supply chain and secures access to higher-value technology.
• Focus procurement on high-margin finished smartphones (HS 85171310) by leveraging relationships with dominant, high-frequency suppliers; this directly boosts profitability for the Botswana Telecommunication Equipment Import business.
• Optimize logistics for handling frequent, small shipments from the US by implementing a just-in-time inventory system; this minimizes storage costs and ensures part availability for the Telecommunication Equipment supply chain.
• Continuously monitor hs code 8517 trade data for shifts in supplier concentration and global duty changes; this provides an early warning for supply disruptions or cost increases affecting Botswana's Telecommunication Equipment Import market.

Take Action Now —— Explore Botswana Telecommunication Equipment Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Botswana Telecommunication Equipment Import 2025 June?

The decline in import value to 5.61 million USD in June follows volatility linked to US tariff hikes in April 2025, disrupting trade flows. The partial recovery in May and subsequent drop suggests ongoing supply chain adjustments for HS Code 8517 goods.

Q2. Who are the main origin countries of Botswana Telecommunication Equipment (HS Code 8517) 2025 June?

China Mainland dominates with a 44.42% value share, followed by the UK (7.72%) and Vietnam (7.13%). These top three account for nearly 60% of imports, with China also leading in quantity share (55.36%).

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across origin countries of Botswana Telecommunication Equipment Import?

Price differences stem from product specialization: China supplies lower-value bulk components, while the UK and Vietnam ship premium finished equipment like smartphones (HS 85171310), which command higher prices (60.89 USD/unit).

Q4. What should importers in Botswana focus on when buying Telecommunication Equipment?

Importers should diversify sourcing beyond China Mainland to mitigate supply risks, prioritizing high-value partners like the UK and Vietnam. Leveraging relationships with dominant suppliers (e.g., DIMENSION DATA PTY LTD) can secure better terms.

Q5. What does this Botswana Telecommunication Equipment import pattern mean for overseas suppliers?

Suppliers from high-yield clusters (UK, Vietnam) have opportunities to expand premium product exports, while Chinese exporters must compete on volume. Frequent US shipments (40.98% frequency share) indicate demand for small-scale retail parts.

Q6. How is Telecommunication Equipment typically used in this trade flow?

Imports are primarily consumer electronics (43.25% smartphones) and industrial-grade communication apparatus, reflecting demand for both retail devices and infrastructure components.