Botswana Trucks Import Market -- HS Code 8704 Trade Data & Price Trend (Feb 2025)

Botswana Trucks Import (HS 8704) Key Takeaways

Botswana's trucks import under HS Code 8704 in February 2025 saw a decline in value and unit price, signaling a shift toward higher-volume, lower-margin shipments ahead of the TRQ season. The market is dominated by cost-effective diesel trucks under 5 tonnes, with a clear split between volume and premium segments. Supplier concentration is extreme, with just a handful of high-value players controlling 98% of imports, increasing supply chain vulnerability. South Africa supplies the bulk of shipments by quantity, though premium models come from the U.S. and China. This analysis is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database for February 2025.

Botswana Trucks Import (HS 8704) Background

What is HS Code 8704?

HS Code 8704 covers motor vehicles designed for the transport of goods, commonly referred to as trucks. These vehicles are critical for industries like logistics, construction, and agriculture, where efficient freight movement is essential. Global demand remains stable due to their role in supply chains and infrastructure development.

Current Context and Strategic Position

Botswana's trucks import under HS Code 8704 saw significant activity in 2025, with June recording the highest import value (USD 159.06K), followed by July (USD 114.98K) [Market Inside Data]. This surge aligns with regional trade policies, such as Namibia's seasonal import restrictions, which may influence cross-border logistics (BURS). Botswana's strategic position as a landlocked nation makes it reliant on efficient freight transport, underscoring the need for vigilance in tracking HS Code 8704 trade data to anticipate market shifts.

Botswana Trucks Import (HS 8704) Price Trend

Key Observations

Botswana's Trucks Import trend for February 2025 declined, with total value falling to 16.17 million USD from 17.51 million USD in January, while the unit price dropped to $6.88 per kg from $9.90 per kg.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The sequential dip in February's value and price contrasts with a weight increase to 2.35 million kg, indicating a pivot towards higher-volume, lower-margin imports. This shift likely aligns with preparatory moves for the TRQ season starting in March, as outlined in the BURS schedule [BURS], suggesting importers are optimizing volumes ahead of restricted windows. The hs code 8704 value trend reflects strategic adjustments to navigate seasonal regulatory cycles.

Botswana Trucks Import (HS 8704) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data for Botswana's HS Code 8704 import in February 2025, the market is dominated by diesel trucks under 5 tonnes. The sub-code "87042181", described as vehicles with compression-ignition engines for goods transport, accounts for over a quarter of the total import value. This high-value share, despite a unit price of just over 1,100 USD per truck, points to a market heavily specialized in cost-effective, high-volume commercial vehicles. One shipment of a heavier diesel truck ("87042210") was recorded at an exceptionally high unit price of over 460,000 USD, which is treated as a separate anomaly and excluded from the main structural analysis.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining import structure reveals two clear product tiers. The first is a volume segment of lower-cost diesel trucks (like "87042183"), which form the bulk of shipments by quantity. The second is a premium segment, including both higher-value diesel models (like "87042290") and spark-ignition engine trucks (like "87043181"), which command significantly higher unit prices, from approximately 8,600 to 35,000 USD per truck. This split, along with the presence of specialized off-highway dumpers ("87041090"), confirms this is a trade in differentiated manufactured goods, not a bulk commodity market. Analysis of HS Code 8704 trade data shows a clear segmentation by engine type, weight class, and intended use.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

The fragmented nature of Botswana's import market for trucks limits pricing power for individual buyers, as no single product type holds a dominant value share. Importers should focus their sourcing strategy on the high-volume, lower-cost diesel segment to achieve economies of scale, while the premium and specialty segments offer opportunities for niche operators. The market's reliance on differentiated models means suppliers with a broad product range will have a strategic advantage in serving the varied needs within Botswana's HS Code 8704 import activities.

Table: Botswana HS Code 8704) Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

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Botswana Trucks Import (HS 8704) Origin Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

South Africa is the dominant origin for Botswana's trucks import in February 2025, holding a 68.23% value share and 97.48% quantity share. The lower value share compared to quantity share suggests that imports from South Africa consist of lower-value or bulk variants of trucks, possibly standard models. High frequency at 69.13% indicates frequent shipments, which could support just-in-time supply chains or aftermarket needs for HS Code 8704 goods.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The origin countries form three clusters based on trade data for Botswana's trucks import. South Africa is the volume cluster with high quantity share, likely supplying standard trucks in bulk due to regional proximity and cost efficiency. United States and China mainland are high-yield clusters with high value shares but low quantity, indicating imports of premium or specialized trucks from these partners. Japan is a transactional cluster with high frequency but moderate value and quantity, suggesting regular shipments of components or specific truck models, possibly due to established trade networks.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's heavy reliance on South Africa for trucks under HS Code 8704 poses supply chain risks, such as disruptions from regional issues. Diversifying sourcing to include high-yield partners like United States or China could mitigate dependency and provide access to specialized trucks. Monitoring trade data regularly will help in adjusting procurement strategies to ensure stable supply.

Table: Botswana Trucks (HS 8704) Top Origin Countries (Source: yTrade)

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Botswana Trucks (HS 8704) Suppliers Analysis

Supplier Concentration and Dominance

In February 2025, the Botswana trucks import suppliers market showed high concentration. According to yTrade data, a small group of suppliers handling high-value and frequent shipments dominated, accounting for 98.02% of the total import value. This indicates that most truck imports to Botswana come from a few key players who trade regularly and in large volumes.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The only other active group consists of suppliers with low value but high frequency, contributing 1.98% of the value. The dominant suppliers, such as TOYOTA SOUTH AFRICA, appear to be manufacturers or large distributors, pointing to a direct-to-factory sourcing model for HS code 8704. This suggests that Botswana's truck imports are primarily sourced directly from major producers, with minimal intermediation.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

Botswana's heavy reliance on a few high-value suppliers for trucks increases vulnerability to supply chain disruptions. Strategic focus should include monitoring these key relationships and potentially engaging with the smaller, more frequent suppliers to diversify sources. This approach could mitigate risks and ensure stable import flows.

Table: Botswana Trucks (HS 8704) Top Suppliers List (Source: yTrade)

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Action Plan for Trucks Market Operation and Expansion

• Monitor South African suppliers for price shifts in the high-volume diesel segment of Botswana's Trucks Import, using hs code 8704 trade data to anticipate cost changes and maintain budget control.
• Diversify sourcing to include U.S. and Chinese suppliers for premium truck models, reducing over-reliance on any single origin and strengthening the overall Trucks supply chain resilience.
• Track shipment frequency data from key suppliers like TOYOTA SOUTH AFRICA to align inventory with delivery cycles, preventing stockouts and optimizing warehouse management for hs code 8704 goods.
• Analyze unit price trends within specific sub-codes (e.g., 87042181 vs. 87042290) to identify cost-saving opportunities in Botswana's Trucks Import, ensuring competitive procurement strategies.
• Engage with low-frequency, high-value suppliers to explore niche or specialized truck offerings, expanding product range and capturing higher-margin opportunities within the hs code 8704 trade data.

Take Action Now —— Explore Botswana Trucks Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Botswana's trucks import value declined to 16.17 million USD in February 2025, with a shift toward higher-volume, lower-margin shipments. This reflects strategic adjustments ahead of the TRQ season starting in March, as importers prioritize volume optimization.

Q2. Who are the main origin countries of Botswana Trucks (HS Code 8704) 2025 February?

South Africa dominates with a 68.23% value share and 97.48% quantity share, followed by the United States and China mainland as high-yield partners. Japan serves as a transactional cluster with moderate value and frequent shipments.

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

Price differences stem from product segmentation: South Africa supplies lower-cost diesel trucks (e.g., sub-code "87042181"), while the U.S. and China export premium models (e.g., "87042290") priced between 8,600–35,000 USD.

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

Importers should prioritize high-volume, lower-cost diesel trucks for economies of scale while diversifying suppliers to mitigate reliance on dominant players like TOYOTA SOUTH AFRICA.

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

Suppliers with broad product ranges have an advantage, as Botswana’s market demands differentiated models. High-yield partners (U.S./China) can target niche segments, while South African suppliers benefit from bulk demand.

Q6. How is Trucks typically used in this trade flow?

Imported trucks under HS Code 8704 are primarily commercial vehicles for goods transport, including cost-effective diesel models and specialized off-highway dumpers.