Botswana Telephone Sets Import Market -- HS Code 8517 Trade Data & Price Trend (Jan 2025)

Botswana Telephone Sets Import (HS 8517) Key Takeaways

Botswana’s telephone sets import under HS Code 8517 in January 2025 reveals a market focused on high-value specialized communication equipment, with the US dominating as a premium supplier and South Africa leading in bulk volume. The trade is highly concentrated among a few key distributors, creating supply chain vulnerabilities despite steady early-year import trends. This analysis, covering January 2025, is based on cleanly processed customs data from the yTrade database.

Botswana Telephone Sets 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 telecommunications infrastructure, consumer electronics, and business operations, driving consistent global demand. The category’s stability is underpinned by technological advancements and widespread adoption across industries.

Current Context and Strategic Position

In 2025, Botswana’s import landscape for HS Code 8517 is shaped by broader trade policies, including a 37% additional U.S. duty on all imports from Botswana [Global Trade Alert]. While Botswana’s customs tariffs for telecommunications equipment typically range between 15%-30%, importers must also account for VAT (14%) and non-SACU permit requirements [BURS]. Botswana’s telephone sets import market remains strategically significant due to its growing digital economy and reliance on foreign-sourced technology. Vigilance is critical to navigate these evolving trade dynamics and ensure compliance with shifting tariff structures.

Botswana Telephone Sets Import (HS 8517) Price Trend

Key Observations

Botswana's telephone sets import trend for January 2025 opened with a total value of $9.62 million, at an average unit price of $106.87 per kilogram. This initial monthly performance for hs code 8517 value trend establishes a baseline for the year.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The January figures represent the first data point for 2025, making sequential comparisons to prior months unavailable. The combination of a $9.62 million import value and 90,010 kg in weight indicates a steady flow of telecommunications equipment into the market at the start of the year, typical for this industry as businesses and networks often initiate procurement cycles in the first quarter.

External Context and Outlook

This early-year stability occurs against a backdrop of significant trade policy shifts. The United States had previously increased additional duties on all imports from Botswana to 37%, effective April 2025 [Global Trade Alert]. Furthermore, a broader 10% universal tariff on imports from all countries was in effect from April 5, 2025 [International Trade Insights]. While the direct impact on Botswana's import costs for telephone sets is not fully quantified in this single month, these escalating global tariff landscapes pose a potential headwind for future import costs and supply chain logistics for the Botswana Telephone Sets Import trend.

Botswana Telephone Sets Import (HS 8517) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In January 2025, Botswana's import of HS Code 8517 is heavily concentrated on specialized communication apparatus, according to yTrade data. The dominating sub-code is "Communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations); machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and routing apparatus" (HS Code 85176290), which holds a 58% value share and a unit price of 231 USD per unit. This high unit price, compared to lower-priced items like basic telephone parts at 12 USD per unit, underscores a focus on high-value, specialized equipment in Botswana's HS Code 8517 import activities.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The import structure for HS Code 8517 in Botswana can be grouped into three categories: high-value communication apparatus like switching equipment with unit prices over 200 USD, mid-range telephone sets including smartphones priced between 50-190 USD per unit, and low-value parts such as aerials and other components under 150 USD. This variety in unit prices and product types indicates a trade in differentiated manufactured goods rather than fungible commodities, with a clear gradation from finished goods to supporting parts.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For importers analyzing HS Code 8517 trade data, the high specialization in certain sub-codes suggests strong pricing power for suppliers of advanced communication apparatus. Businesses should prioritize sourcing high-margin, specialized equipment to capitalize on market demand, while being cautious of competitive pressures in lower-value segments. This structure points to strategic opportunities in leveraging Botswana's import preferences for value-added products under HS Code 8517.

Check Detailed HS Code 8517 Breakdown

Botswana Telephone Sets Import (HS 8517) Origin Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In January 2025, the United States was the top source for Botswana's imports of Telephone Sets under HS Code 8517, holding 37.98% of the import value but only 5.71% of the quantity. This gap means Botswana buys high-end telephone sets from the US, with a unit price near $1040 each. South Africa led in quantity share at 37.76% but had a lower value share of 28.65%, showing bulk imports of cheaper models. The US also had the highest shipment frequency at 44.82%, indicating regular, small orders for retail or replacement parts.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The sourcing partners split into two clear clusters. The High-Yield Cluster includes the United States, South Korea, and Sweden, where value shares outpace quantity shares, pointing to premium telephone sets with higher prices. South Korea's unit cost is about $502. The Volume Cluster has South Africa and China Mainland, with high quantity shares but lower value per unit, around $64 for China, suggesting mass-produced, affordable units. This setup shows Botswana mixing premium buys from tech leaders with cost-effective bulk orders from regional and Asian hubs.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's heavy use of US and South African sources for Telephone Sets imports calls for diversification to avoid supply shocks. The high shipment frequency from the US needs reliable logistics, but external factors like trade disputes could interrupt flows. Adding suppliers from places like Vietnam or India might spread risk and keep costs down. Watching HS Code 8517 trade patterns will help adjust sourcing to maintain steady phone equipment supply.

Table: Botswana Telephone Sets (HS 8517) Top Origin Countries (Source: yTrade)

Get Complete Origin Countries Profile

Action Plan for Telephone Sets Market Operation and Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

The core price drivers for Botswana Telephone Sets Import are product technology and supplier concentration. High-value communication apparatus under hs code 8517 trade data commands premium prices over $200 per unit. Lower-cost telephone sets from volume-focused origins like South Africa trade below $100.

This creates a dual-sourcing model in the Telephone Sets supply chain. Botswana relies on the United States for advanced technology and regional hubs for bulk orders. This structure increases vulnerability to logistics delays or policy shifts. The market's dependence on a few key distributors heightens supply risk.

Action Plan: Data-Driven Steps for Telephone Sets Market Execution and Expansion

• Diversify your supplier base using hs code 8517 trade data. Add manufacturers from emerging hubs like Vietnam to reduce over-reliance on US and South African distributors. This protects your supply chain from disruptions.
• Analyze unit prices by sub-code to target high-margin products. Prioritize sourcing specialized apparatus like switching equipment over basic parts. This strategy directly increases profit margins per shipment.
• Monitor shipment frequency from dominant US suppliers. Align your inventory cycles with their delivery patterns to prevent stockouts. This ensures consistent product availability for end-users.
• Develop relationships with high-value, low-frequency suppliers. Engage manufacturers like those in South Korea for potential bulk deals on advanced units. This secures better pricing on premium technology imports.
• Use trade data to track competitor sourcing patterns. Identify which origins they use for cost-effective volume orders. This intelligence helps you negotiate better terms with your own suppliers.

Take Action Now —— Explore Botswana Telephone Sets Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Botswana Telephone Sets Import 2025 January?

The January 2025 import value of $9.62 million reflects steady procurement, but looming US tariff hikes (37% from April 2025) may disrupt future costs. High specialization in advanced communication apparatus (58% value share) also shapes demand.

Q2. Who are the main origin countries of Botswana Telephone Sets (HS Code 8517) 2025 January?

The United States (37.98% value share), South Africa (28.65%), and South Korea dominate imports. The US supplies high-end units ($1,040/unit), while South Africa provides bulk, lower-cost models.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across origin countries of Botswana Telephone Sets Import?

Prices vary due to product specialization: the US and South Korea export premium equipment (e.g., $502/unit), while China and South Africa focus on affordable, mass-produced units ($64/unit).

Q4. What should importers in Botswana focus on when buying Telephone Sets?

Prioritize high-margin specialized equipment (e.g., switching apparatus at $231/unit) from dominant distributors like CORE GAMING SYSTEMS, but diversify sources to mitigate reliance on concentrated suppliers.

Q5. What does this Botswana Telephone Sets import pattern mean for overseas suppliers?

Suppliers of premium equipment (US, South Korea) have pricing power, while bulk exporters (South Africa, China) must compete on cost. Regular US shipments (44.82% frequency) indicate stable demand for high-end units.

Q6. How is Telephone Sets typically used in this trade flow?

Imports support Botswana’s telecommunications infrastructure, blending high-value specialized apparatus (e.g., switching/routing gear) with consumer devices like smartphones and replacement parts.