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

Botswana Trucks Import (HS 8704) Key Takeaways

Botswana's trucks import under HS Code 8704 in June 2025 reveals a high-grade market dominated by diesel-engine light trucks, with a 37.7% value concentration in premium models priced at ~29,532 USD. Import values declined sequentially from January’s peak to 13.40 million USD, reflecting shifting demand and supply chain adjustments. The market is highly concentrated, with 97.13% of import value controlled by a few high-value suppliers, creating supply chain vulnerabilities. SOUTH AFRICA dominates as the primary origin, accounting for 83.54% of import value, underscoring geographic reliance risks. This analysis, covering June 2025, is based on cleanly processed customs data from the yTrade database. Importers must prioritize supplier diversification and premium partnerships to mitigate risks in this specialized trade.

Botswana Trucks Import (HS 8704) Background

What is HS Code 8704?

HS Code 8704 classifies motor vehicles designed for the transport of goods, commonly referred to as trucks. These vehicles are critical for logistics, construction, and mining industries, driving stable global demand due to their role in supply chain efficiency. Botswana's reliance on trucks underscores their importance in supporting both domestic trade and cross-border commerce.

Current Context and Strategic Position

Botswana's trucks import market under HS Code 8704 is dynamic, with Motor Centre Bots. (Pty) Ltd leading as the top importer, accounting for 15.38% of total imports valued at $206.94 million [Tendata]. Recent data highlights a surge in imports of new trucks (HS Code 8704909010), reaching $159.06K in June 2025 [Market Inside Data]. Botswana's strategic position as a regional trade hub amplifies the significance of monitoring its trucks import trends, particularly given fluctuating demand and evolving tariff policies. Vigilance in tracking hs code 8704 trade data is essential for stakeholders navigating this market.

Botswana Trucks Import (HS 8704) Price Trend

Key Observations

In June 2025, Botswana's import of trucks under HS code 8704 was valued at 13.40 million USD, with a unit price of $8.07 per kilogram. This represents a continuation of the downward trend in import value observed since the beginning of the year.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The hs code 8704 value trend has declined sequentially from January's peak of 17.51 million USD to June's 13.40 million USD, with a minor rebound in May to 14.60 million USD. This downward momentum, coupled with volatile unit prices and weights, suggests adjustments in import strategies, potentially influenced by tariff policies and economic conditions [BURS]. The Botswana Trucks Import trend typically reflects infrastructure and economic cycles, with fluctuations often tied to inventory replenishment and global supply chain dynamics, rather than seasonal peaks.

Botswana Trucks Import (HS 8704) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data, Botswana's import of trucks under HS Code 8704 in June 2025 was dominated by diesel-engine light trucks not exceeding 5 tonnes, specifically the sub-code 87042181, which accounted for 37.7 percent of the total import value with a unit price of approximately 29,532 USD per vehicle. This high unit price disparity compared to other sub-codes indicates a strong specialization in higher-value vehicles. Two sub-codes, 87043190 and 87042190, with unit prices around 5,600 USD, represent significant low-cost anomalies and are isolated from the main analysis due to their outlier pricing.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining non-anomalous imports are grouped into two categories: high-grade trucks with unit prices above 30,000 USD, including models like 87042290 (diesel, exceeding 5 tonnes) and 87043181 (spark-ignition, light duty), and mid-grade trucks with unit prices between 10,000 and 30,000 USD, covering various engine types and weight classes. This structure, with clear price tiers and specialized product descriptions, points to a market for differentiated manufactured goods rather than fungible commodities, where value is driven by features like engine type and load capacity.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

In Botswana's HS Code 8704 import market, the concentration in high-value segments grants suppliers strong pricing power, particularly for diesel and premium models. Importers should prioritize partnerships with established manufacturers for reliable, high-grade trucks to mitigate risks associated with low-cost anomalies. Analysis of HS Code 8704 trade data suggests a strategic focus on diversifying sources within the mid-grade segment to balance cost and quality, ensuring competitive positioning in the vehicle supply chain.

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

Check Detailed HS Code 8704 Breakdown

Botswana Trucks Import (HS 8704) Origin Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In June 2025, SOUTH AFRICA dominated Botswana's Trucks imports with an 83.54% value share and a 72.47% quantity share. The higher value share compared to quantity points to imports of higher-grade or finished trucks from this partner. The frequency share is also high at 72.47%, indicating consistent trade flows.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The import origins form distinct clusters. SOUTH AFRICA is the primary cluster with high value and volume. JAPAN has a high frequency share of 20.38% but a low value share of 3.08%, suggesting frequent shipments of lower-value items, possibly truck parts or used vehicles. CHINA represents a high-yield cluster with an 11.46% value share despite a lower quantity share, indicating premium truck imports. Other countries like the UK and Germany have minimal shares, reflecting niche or occasional supply.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's strong dependence on SOUTH AFRICA for Trucks imports highlights a supply chain vulnerability. Diversifying sources to include more partners like CHINA could mitigate risks. News from Market Inside Data confirms that imports of new trucks under HS Code 8704 were peak in June 2025, aligning with this trade pattern [Market Inside Data]. This supports a strategy to monitor and balance import origins for stability.

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

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Botswana Trucks (HS 8704) Suppliers Analysis

Supplier Concentration and Dominance

The Botswana Trucks Import suppliers market in June 2025 shows a highly concentrated structure. According to yTrade data, high-value, high-frequency suppliers dominate with 97.13% of the total import value. This group also handles 86.17% of shipment frequency and quantity, indicating that most trade involves regular, high-volume transactions. The typical import for trucks under HS code 8704 is characterized by consistent, large-scale deliveries from a few key players.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The remaining cluster consists of low-value, high-frequency suppliers, contributing only 2.87% to the total value. The profile of HS code 8704 suppliers in the dominant group, such as Hongkong Shacman Import & Export Limited and DWAYNE MOTORS PTY LTD, points to an intermediated market. These companies act as agents or distributors, facilitating trade rather than direct manufacturing, which suggests a reliance on trading networks for sourcing trucks.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

For importers in Botswana, the heavy reliance on a few high-value suppliers creates vulnerability to supply chain disruptions. Strategic focus should be on building relationships with these key distributors while exploring diversification to mitigate risks. News from Tendata highlights top importers like MOTOR CENTRE BOTS.(PTY) LTD, reinforcing the need for careful supplier management in this concentrated market.

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

Check Full Trucks Supplier lists

Action Plan for Trucks Market Operation and Expansion

• Diversify import sources beyond South Africa using hs code 8704 trade data to identify reliable partners in China and Japan; this reduces vulnerability in the Trucks supply chain from over-reliance on a single origin.
• Prioritize partnerships with high-value, high-frequency suppliers like those identified in the Botswana Trucks Import data; this ensures consistent access to premium, high-grade trucks and strengthens negotiation power.
• Use detailed hs code 8704 trade data to target mid-grade truck models (10,000-30,000 USD) for cost-effective diversification; this balances the Trucks supply chain by mixing premium and value segments to mitigate price volatility.
• Monitor and analyze low-frequency, low-value shipments for anomalies; this prevents the risk of importing sub-standard or misclassified goods that could disrupt Botswana's Trucks Import operations.

Take Action Now —— Explore Botswana Trucks Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The import value for trucks declined to 13.40 million USD in June 2025, continuing a downward trend from January's peak. This reflects adjustments in import strategies, likely influenced by economic conditions and tariff policies.

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

SOUTH AFRICA dominated with an 83.54% value share, followed by CHINA (11.46%) and JAPAN (3.08%). SOUTH AFRICA also accounted for 72.47% of shipment quantity, indicating consistent high-grade truck imports.

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

Price differences stem from product specialization—high-grade diesel trucks (e.g., sub-code 87042181 at ~29,532 USD) dominate from SOUTH AFRICA, while lower-value shipments (e.g., used vehicles or parts) come from JAPAN.

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

Importers should prioritize partnerships with high-value suppliers like Hongkong Shacman Import & Export Limited while diversifying sources to mitigate reliance on SOUTH AFRICA. Avoiding low-cost anomalies (e.g., sub-codes ~5,600 USD) is critical.

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

Suppliers in SOUTH AFRICA benefit from strong pricing power due to high-grade demand, while CHINA’s premium segment offers growth potential. Japanese exporters face limited value share, suggesting a niche role for lower-cost shipments.

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

Trucks under HS Code 8704 are primarily used for commercial transport, with specialization in diesel-engine models for light and heavy-duty logistics, reflecting Botswana’s infrastructure and economic needs.