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

Botswana Trucks Import (HS 8704) Key Takeaways

Botswana’s trucks import under HS Code 8704 in January 2025 reveals a bifurcated market, dominated by high-value off-highway dump trucks (averaging $490,791 per unit) alongside lower-grade standard models. The supplier landscape is highly concentrated, with one cluster controlling 93% of import value, creating supply chain risks. South Africa accounts for 73.99% of volume but ships lower-value units, while premium trucks come from the U.S. and Finland. The $17.51 million import value signals steady demand, though diversification is critical to mitigate reliance on a single supplier and origin. This analysis is based on cleanly processed customs data from the yTrade database for January 2025.

Botswana Trucks Import (HS 8704) Background

What is HS Code 8704?

HS Code 8704 covers motor vehicles designed for the transport of goods, including trucks and commercial vehicles. These vehicles are critical for industries like logistics, mining, and agriculture, where efficient cargo 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 market under HS Code 8704 is dominated by key players like MOTOR CENTRE BOTS. (PTY) LTD and BARLOWORLD EQUIPMENT BOTSWANA, reflecting steady demand for commercial vehicles [Tendata]. Recent data shows peak import values in mid-2025, driven by infrastructure projects and replacement cycles [Market Inside Data]. Botswana’s reliance on imports for this category underscores the need for monitoring trade policies and supplier trends, particularly as regional trade agreements evolve (BURS). Vigilance in tracking Botswana trucks import dynamics and HS Code 8704 trade data is crucial for stakeholders navigating this market.

Botswana Trucks Import (HS 8704) Price Trend

Key Observations

In January 2025, Botswana's import of trucks under HS code 8704 recorded a total value of 17.51 million USD, with an average unit price of $9.90 per kg. This initial monthly figure sets a foundational point for assessing the year's trade activity in commercial vehicles.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The January data represents the starting point for 2025, with no prior monthly figures provided for direct comparison. However, the import volume and value suggest a steady entry into the year, potentially aligning with early-year procurement cycles common in industries like logistics and mining, where fleet renewals often occur post-holiday periods. The hs code 8704 value trend here may indicate baseline demand before seasonal peaks.

External Context and Outlook

Historical import patterns from [Datamyne] highlight ongoing involvement of key players like Nissan and Volvo in Botswana's truck market. While no specific January 2025 policy shifts are noted, the Botswana Trucks Import trend could be influenced by broader economic factors such as regional trade agreements and global supply chain stability, which may affect pricing and availability moving forward.

Botswana Trucks Import (HS 8704) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data, Botswana's import of HS Code 8704 in January 2025 is dominated by high-value, specialized dump trucks designed for off-highway use, which account for over 36% of the total import value with a unit price of approximately 490,791 USD per truck. This sub-code shows a strong focus on heavy machinery for specific applications. An extreme price anomaly is present in another sub-code for diesel trucks with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 5 tonnes but not exceeding 20 tonnes, which has a very low unit price of 34 USD per truck and is isolated from the main analysis due to its outlier nature.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining imports under HS Code 8704 for Botswana can be grouped into two main categories: premium diesel and spark-ignition trucks with unit prices ranging from 17,000 to 27,000 USD, and standard trucks with prices between 1,100 and 6,000 USD. This structure indicates a market for differentiated manufactured goods, where products vary based on engine type, weight capacity, and features, rather than fungible commodities tied to bulk indices.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

The high unit prices in specialized segments suggest strong pricing power for suppliers of premium trucks, while the standard segments may face more competition. Businesses should focus on targeting niche applications like off-highway use to leverage value-added opportunities, as HS Code 8704 trade data reveals a bifurcated market with distinct high and low-end demands.

Check Detailed HS Code 8704 Breakdown

Botswana Trucks Import (HS 8704) Origin Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

South Africa is the dominant origin for Botswana's Trucks import in January 2025, holding 62.31% of the value share but a higher 73.99% quantity share. This gap suggests that shipments from South Africa consist of lower-value or used trucks, as the value per unit is relatively low. The high frequency share of 75.80% indicates frequent, possibly smaller shipments, which could relate to aftermarket parts or regular supply chain flows for HS Code 8704.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The origin countries form two clear clusters based on trade data for HS 8704. The High-Yield Cluster includes the United States and Finland, with value shares of 20.67% and 7.38% respectively but minimal quantity shares, pointing to imports of premium, high-value trucks. The Volume Cluster is led by South Africa, with its high quantity share indicating a role as a source for cost-effective or bulkier truck variants, possibly due to geographic proximity and established trade routes. Japan shows a high frequency share of 18.73% but low value, suggesting frequent shipments of smaller components or partial consignments, common in just-in-time manufacturing support.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's heavy reliance on South Africa for Trucks import under HS Code 8704 poses a supply chain risk, as disruptions could impact availability. Diversifying sources, such as engaging with high-yield partners like the United States for premium models, could mitigate dependency and enhance options. Monitoring trade data for any shifts in these patterns will be key for stable imports in the future.

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

Get Complete Origin Countries Profile

Action Plan for Trucks Market Operation and Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

The Botswana Trucks Import market for hs code 8704 trade data reveals a dual-structure market. Price is driven by product specification and technology in high-value segments. This creates strong pricing power for premium suppliers. The Trucks supply chain shows high geographic and supplier concentration. This creates significant vulnerability to disruptions. South Africa dominates volume but not value. This indicates a reliance on lower-cost or used models. The United States and Finland supply high-value units but in low quantity. This market structure demands a strategic pivot to balance cost and risk.

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

• Use hs code 8704 trade data to identify and qualify high-value, low-frequency suppliers from the US and Finland. This diversifies your sourcing away from South African volume dominance and secures access to premium, high-margin models.
• Analyze shipment frequency data from the dominant supplier cluster to forecast potential stock-outs. This allows for proactive inventory planning to mitigate the risk of supply chain halts from a single source.
• Target import opportunities in the specialized off-highway dump truck segment (sub-code 870410). This focuses your strategy on a high-value niche with stronger pricing power and better profit margins.
• Monitor the shipping frequency of Japanese origins for hs code 8704 components. This provides early warning for potential parts shortages that could disrupt maintenance and repair operations within the Trucks supply chain.

Take Action Now —— Explore Botswana Trucks Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The January 2025 import data shows a steady entry into the year, likely tied to post-holiday fleet renewals in industries like logistics and mining. The market is bifurcated, with high-value specialized dump trucks (36% of import value) and standard trucks driving distinct demand segments.

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

South Africa dominates with 62.31% value share, followed by the United States (20.67%) and Finland (7.38%). South Africa’s high quantity share (73.99%) suggests lower-value or used trucks, while the U.S. and Finland supply premium models.

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

Price differences stem from product specialization: high-value off-highway dump trucks (490,791 USD/unit) contrast with standard diesel/spark-ignition trucks (1,100–27,000 USD). The U.S. and Finland focus on premium trucks, while South Africa supplies cost-effective variants.

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

Importers should diversify suppliers beyond the dominant cluster (75% of shipments) to mitigate supply chain risks. Targeting niche high-value suppliers or premium models from the U.S./Finland could balance reliance on South Africa’s volume-driven shipments.

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

Suppliers of premium trucks (e.g., U.S., Finland) have pricing power in high-yield segments, while South Africa’s volume cluster faces competition. Manufacturers like Mahindra & Mahindra dominate, but niche suppliers can capitalize on specialized demand.

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

Trucks under HS Code 8704 serve heavy machinery applications, particularly off-highway dump trucks for mining/construction, alongside standard diesel/spark-ignition models for logistics and transport. The market reflects differentiated industrial and commercial needs.