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

Botswana Telephone Sets Import (HS 8517) Key Takeaways

Botswana's Telephone Sets Import market in September 2025 is dominated by high-value communication equipment, with specialized switching apparatus commanding a 38% value share at $280.17 per unit, while finished phones and parts show wide price disparities. The market rebounded sharply to $8.21 million, up 35% from August, reflecting strategic adjustments to U.S. tariff hikes. Supplier concentration is extreme, with top partners handling 94% of import value, creating high dependency risks. China leads as the primary source (46% value share), though premium products also come from Mexico and Hungary. This analysis of hs code 8517 trade data is based on cleanly processed Customs records from the yTrade database for September 2025.

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 communication, and infrastructure development. Their trade remains significant due to the continuous evolution of technology and connectivity needs.

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 critical to navigating these changes and assessing their impact on global supply chains.

Botswana Telephone Sets Import (HS 8517) Price Trend

Key Observations

Botswana's imports of Telephone Sets in September 2025 reached $8.21 million USD at a unit price of $110.45 per kg, marking a recovery from the previous month's lower performance. This upward movement reflects ongoing adjustments in the hs code 8517 value trend amid external policy pressures.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Botswana Telephone Sets Import trend showed significant volatility throughout 2025, with unit prices swinging from a low of $79.51 per kg in May to a peak of $249.07 in July. The sequential rise in September—with value increasing by 35% month-over-month from August—aligns with importers adapting to the U.S. administration's tariff hike on all Botswana goods to 37% effective April 9, 2025, as reported by [Global Trade Alert]. This policy shift likely prompted strategic stockpiling and sourcing changes, contributing to the erratic volume and price patterns observed since spring.

Botswana Telephone Sets Import (HS 8517) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data, Botswana's HS Code 8517 import market for September 2025 is dominated by high-value communication apparatus. The leading product, communication switching and routing apparatus (85176290), commands a 38% value share despite a lower quantity share, with a premium unit price of $280.17 per unit. This high unit price disparity confirms a market concentrated on specialized, high-value equipment. One shipment of low-cost, non-smartphone cellular sets (85171490) is a clear outlier, with a unit price of just $3.33, and is isolated from the main analysis due to its anomalous nature.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining imports fall into two distinct categories. The first is finished telephone devices, including various smartphones and other cellular sets, which trade at mid-range unit prices from $50 to $130. The second category consists of parts and other communication apparatus, such as aerials and other transmission machines, which also show a wide unit price range from $30 to $230. This structure, with its significant price variation across detailed product types, points to a trade in differentiated manufactured goods rather than uniform commodities.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Analysis of this HS Code 8517 trade data suggests strong pricing power resides with suppliers of the high-value communication infrastructure equipment. For importers, the strategic focus should be on securing reliable partners for these complex, high-margin goods. The market for finished phones is more competitive, with pricing likely influenced by brand and model differentiation. The single low-price anomaly does not represent a sustainable market segment for strategic planning.

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 top source for Botswana's imports of Telephone Sets in September 2025, holding a 45.52% share of the import value. This value share is higher than the quantity share of 38.00%, showing that Botswana brings in higher-grade or finished telephone sets from China, not just bulk or lower-end versions. The frequency share of 18.34% is in line with the value, indicating steady shipments without excessive small orders.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The import partners fall into clear groups. Mexico and Hungary form a High-Yield Cluster, with value shares much larger than quantity shares, pointing to imports of premium or specialized telephone sets. South Africa and United Arab Emirates make up a Volume/Hub Cluster, where quantity shares lead value, suggesting these are sources for cheaper, bulk models or act as regional hubs. The United States and Vietnam are in a Transactional Cluster, with high frequency but low value and quantity, reflecting frequent, small shipments likely for retail or just-in-time supply chains in the telephone sets market.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana should diversify its sourcing to reduce reliance on China and avoid supply risks. Tapping into the High-Yield Cluster for premium products and the Volume/Hub Cluster for cost-effective options can balance the supply chain. Keeping an eye on trade policies, like tariff changes, is wise, but current data does not show immediate impacts from recent news.

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

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Botswana Telephone Sets (HS 8517) Suppliers Analysis

Supplier Concentration and Dominance

In September 2025, the market for Botswana's import of telephone sets shows strong supplier concentration. According to yTrade data, high value and high frequency suppliers dominate, accounting for 93.66% of the total import value. This group handles most shipments, with 86.07% of trade frequency, indicating that Botswana Telephone Sets Import suppliers rely heavily on a small set of key partners for the bulk of their needs.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The remaining supplier groups play minor roles: high value low frequency contributors add 4.88% value with infrequent large shipments, while low value clusters have minimal impact. The dominant suppliers, including companies like MICRO-D LTD and NTOMBEHLE AIR, suggest an intermediated market, where logistics or trading firms facilitate regular imports. The profile of HS code 8517 suppliers points to a trade structure driven by consistent, high-volume relationships rather than direct manufacturer ties.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

Botswana's import strategy for telephone sets faces high dependency risks due to concentrated suppliers, urging a focus on diversification to mitigate supply disruptions. Opportunities exist in exploring alternative sources to balance trade. Supporting this, import data insights [Market Inside Data] highlight the need for ongoing market monitoring to adapt to changes, reinforcing the importance of a flexible sourcing model.

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 supplier base beyond the dominant high-frequency partners by actively targeting low-frequency, high-value suppliers identified in the hs code 8517 trade data to mitigate the risk of supply chain disruption from over-reliance on a few key players.
• Use detailed hs code 8517 trade data to negotiate better terms with current high-volume suppliers by benchmarking unit prices for specific product types, ensuring you are not overpaying for finished phones in a competitive segment.
• Develop sourcing strategies for both premium and volume segments by deliberately engaging suppliers from the High-Yield (e.g., Mexico, Hungary) and Volume/Hub (e.g., South Africa) clusters to build a more resilient and cost-effective Telephone Sets supply chain.
• Continuously monitor the import activity of low-frequency suppliers for Botswana's Telephone Sets Import market to identify emerging partners offering innovative or cost-competitive products, allowing for early adoption and a potential first-mover advantage.

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 September?

The recovery in September 2025 ($8.21M, +35% MoM) reflects strategic adjustments to U.S. tariff hikes (37% since April 2025), with importers likely stockpiling high-value communication infrastructure (e.g., $280.17/unit routers) amid volatile pricing ($79.51-$249.07/kg range in 2025).

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

China dominates with 45.52% of import value, followed by Mexico and Hungary (High-Yield Cluster) for premium goods, and South Africa/UAE (Volume Cluster) for bulk models.

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

Prices vary by product grade: China supplies high-value finished phones ($50-$130) and infrastructure (e.g., $280.17 routers), while Mexico/Hungary focus on premium sets, and South Africa/UAE provide cheaper bulk models.

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

Prioritize diversifying suppliers (93.66% value concentrated in few firms) and balancing High-Yield (Mexico/Hungary) and Volume (South Africa/UAE) clusters to mitigate China dependency and supply risks.

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

Suppliers of high-value infrastructure (e.g., 85176290 routers) hold pricing power, while phone sellers face competition. China’s dominance offers stability, but niche players (Mexico/Hungary) can exploit premium demand.

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

Imports serve two needs: high-margin communication infrastructure (switching/routing apparatus) and differentiated consumer devices (smartphones, bulk cellular sets), reflecting Botswana’s demand for both specialized and mass-market goods.