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

Botswana Telephone Sets Import (HS 8517) Key Takeaways

Botswana's telephone sets import market under HS Code 8517 in June 2025 is dominated by high-value smartphones, accounting for 43% of import value, while advanced network hardware and accessories form secondary tiers. The market is highly concentrated, with a few key suppliers handling 98% of import value, creating supply chain vulnerabilities. China remains the dominant source, supplying 44% of value but 55% of quantity, signaling reliance on bulk, lower-value imports. Trade volatility persists, with June imports dropping to $5.61M amid US duty hikes and global supply shifts. Strategic diversification and premium sourcing from high-yield markets like the UK or Vietnam could mitigate risks. This analysis, covering June 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 global telecommunications, driven by demand from consumer electronics, enterprise IT, and infrastructure sectors. Their trade remains significant due to the continuous need for connectivity and technological upgrades worldwide.

Current Context and Strategic Position

The United States 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 Telephone Sets Import market, particularly under HS Code 8517. Botswana's role in this trade flow is strategic, as it serves as a key supplier in the region. Monitoring hs code 8517 trade data is now critical to assess the impact of these tariffs and adapt to evolving trade dynamics.

Botswana Telephone Sets Import (HS 8517) Price Trend

Key Observations

In June 2025, Botswana's import of Telephone Sets under HS code 8517 declined to 5.61 million USD, with a unit price of 147.88 USD per kilogram, marking a sharp drop from May's performance and reflecting heightened market volatility.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The hs code 8517 value trend showed significant fluctuations in early 2025, peaking at 13.91 million USD in March before plunging to 6.33 million USD in April. This downturn aligns with the US administration's increase of additional duties on all imports from Botswana to 37 percent, effective April 9, 2025 [Global Trade Alert], which likely contributed to trade disruptions and sourcing adjustments. A partial recovery in May was short-lived, with June's decline suggesting persistent market instability, possibly driven by shifts in global supply chains or regional economic pressures.

Botswana Telephone Sets Import (HS 8517) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data, Botswana's HS Code 8517 import market in June 2025 is heavily concentrated in high-value smartphones. The sub-code for 'Telephone sets; smartphones for cellular or other wireless networks' dominates, accounting for 43% of the total import value. This product commands a significantly higher unit price of USD 60.89 per unit, confirming its role as the primary, high-value specialization within this category.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining imports form two clear tiers. The first consists of advanced network hardware like switching and routing apparatus, which also carry high unit prices above USD 75. The second tier includes lower-value telephone accessories and communication apparatus parts, with unit prices often below USD 20. This structure shows Botswana's import of HS Code 8517 is not a bulk commodity trade but is focused on differentiated, finished electronic goods across various value and complexity levels.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

This import breakdown for HS Code 8517 trade data indicates that pricing power resides almost entirely with foreign manufacturers of high-end devices and specialized hardware. For businesses in Botswana, strategic focus should be on securing reliable supply chains for these high-value products, as opportunities for local value addition within this import stream appear limited. Market entry would likely require partnerships with international brands or specialization in distribution and support services.

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

Check Detailed HS Code 8517 Breakdown

Botswana Telephone Sets Import (HS 8517) Origin Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

China Mainland is the dominant source for Botswana's import of Telephone Sets in June 2025, holding a 44.42% value share and a higher 55.36% quantity share. This gap, where value share is lower than quantity share, points to imports of lower-value or bulk versions of Telephone Sets from China, such as basic models or components. The United States shows a high frequency share of 40.98% but low quantity and value, suggesting frequent, small-scale shipments, possibly for retail or e-commerce channels.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The import origins for Botswana's Telephone Sets form three clusters based on share profiles. The Volume Cluster includes China Mainland, China Hongkong, and South Africa, with high quantity shares (55.36%, 16.14%, and 13.86% respectively), indicating they serve as major manufacturing and logistics hubs for mass-produced goods. The High-Yield Cluster features the United Kingdom and Vietnam, where value shares (7.72% and 7.13%) exceed quantity shares (2.24% and 1.29%), reflecting demand for premium or specialized Telephone Sets. The Transactional Cluster is led by the United States, with its disproportionately high frequency share hinting at small-ticket, high-frequency trade, likely driven by online retail or just-in-time supply chains for accessories or replacements.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's heavy reliance on China for Telephone Sets imports under HS Code 8517 creates supply chain vulnerability, urging a shift towards diversification. Increasing sourcing from High-Yield Cluster partners like the United Kingdom or Vietnam could reduce dependency and enhance product quality. Monitoring trade data for HS Code 8517 will help identify emerging risks and opportunities in the global market.

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

Get Complete Origin Countries Profile

Botswana Telephone Sets (HS 8517) Suppliers Analysis

Supplier Concentration and Dominance

In June 2025, the Botswana telephone sets import market is dominated by a small set of key suppliers. According to yTrade data, high-value and high-frequency suppliers handle over 98% of the import value and 86% of shipment frequency. This group defines the typical trade, with regular, large-volume deliveries forming the core of Botswana's telephone sets supply chain.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The profile of HS code 8517 suppliers points to an intermediated market, led by trading firms like PEP A DIVISION OF PEPKOR TRADING PTY LTD and CREATIVE TIME ELECTRONICS LLC. Other clusters, including low-value or infrequent suppliers, contribute minimally to overall trade, with less than 2% combined value share. This indicates that most imports flow through established commercial intermediaries rather than direct manufacturers.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

For Botswana importers, heavy reliance on a few trading partners increases vulnerability to supply disruptions or price shifts. Strategic focus should include exploring alternative suppliers to reduce dependency. The recent US duty increase on imports from Botswana [Global Trade Alert] highlights broader trade risks, though it primarily affects exports; importers should monitor for any spillover effects on sourcing costs or availability.

Table: Botswana Telephone Sets (HS 8517) Top Suppliers List (Source: yTrade)

Check Full Telephone Sets Supplier lists

Action Plan for Telephone Sets Market Operation and Expansion

• Diversify your Botswana Telephone Sets Import sources beyond China by using hs code 8517 trade data to identify and qualify new suppliers in high-yield markets like Vietnam and the UK, reducing dependency and securing better product quality.
• Strengthen partnerships with high-value suppliers of advanced network hardware to access premium products and improve margins within your Telephone Sets supply chain, leveraging their technical specifications for competitive advantage.
• Monitor U.S. trade policy changes closely using real-time alerts, as duty increases could indirectly affect sourcing costs or availability for your Botswana Telephone Sets Import operations, enabling proactive cost management.
• Analyze shipment frequency data from key suppliers to optimize inventory levels and avoid overstocking, ensuring a responsive and efficient Telephone Sets supply chain that aligns with actual demand patterns.

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 June?

Botswana's Telephone Sets imports dropped sharply to USD 5.61 million in June 2025, continuing a volatile trend after a March peak. The decline aligns with the US duty hike on Botswana imports, disrupting supply chains and pricing stability.

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

China Mainland dominates with 44.42% of import value, followed by the UK (7.72%) and Vietnam (7.13%). China also supplies 55.36% of total quantity, reflecting bulk shipments of lower-value models.

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

Price gaps stem from product specialization: China ships lower-cost bulk items, while the UK and Vietnam supply premium smartphones and advanced hardware, which command higher unit prices above USD 75.

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

Importers should diversify suppliers beyond China to mitigate risks, prioritize partnerships with high-value intermediaries, and monitor trade policies affecting sourcing costs.

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

Suppliers in high-yield markets (UK, Vietnam) have opportunities to expand premium product sales, while Chinese exporters must address reliance on bulk shipments to maintain market share.

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

Imports are primarily finished consumer electronics (smartphones) and specialized network hardware, with limited local value addition. The focus is on distribution and support services for high-end devices.