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

Botswana Trucks Import (HS 8704) Key Takeaways

In May 2025, Botswana's Trucks Import under HS Code 8704 showed a modest rebound, with $14.60 million in imports after a volatile start to the year. The market is dominated by light-duty diesel trucks under 5 tonnes, accounting for 84% of volume but facing thin margins, while specialized dumpers and high-capacity models command premium pricing. Supplier concentration is extreme, with just a handful of manufacturers like TOYOTA SA controlling 94% of import value, creating supply chain vulnerabilities. South Africa supplies 75% of the value and 99% of the quantity, though high-yield alternatives like Finland and China offer diversification potential. This analysis is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database, covering May 2025.

Botswana Trucks Import (HS 8704) Background

What is HS Code 8704?

HS Code 8704 refers to motor vehicles designed for the transport of goods, commonly known as trucks. These vehicles are critical for logistics, construction, and mining industries, where reliable freight transport 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 is shaped by recent trade dynamics, including tariff rate quotas under agreements with MERCOSUR Member States [BURS]. In 2025, key importers like Motor Centre Bots. (Pty) Ltd dominated HS Code 8704 trade, accounting for 15.38% of Botswana's imports [Tendata]. The country's reliance on imported trucks highlights its strategic position as a logistics hub in Southern Africa. Monitoring HS Code 8704 trade data is vital for stakeholders navigating Botswana's evolving import landscape.

Botswana Trucks Import (HS 8704) Price Trend

Key Observations

In May 2025, Botswana's imports of trucks under HS code 8704 reached $14.60 million, with a unit price of $7.46 per kilogram, reflecting a modest rebound from April's downturn. This performance highlights a recovery in the Botswana Trucks Import trend after a period of volatility earlier in the year.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The hs code 8704 value trend showed a sequential decline from January's peak of $17.51 million to April's low of $13.59 million, before the May uptick. Unit prices fluctuated significantly, dropping to $6.88/kg in February before partially recovering, suggesting importers adjusted volumes in response to cost pressures. This volatility aligns with tariff rate quotas under agreements with MERCOSUR states [BURS], which may have influenced sourcing strategies. The concentration of imports among key players like Motor Centre Bots. (Tendata) also points to structured inventory cycles, possibly driven by infrastructure or economic stimulus demands in Botswana.

Botswana Trucks Import (HS 8704) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In May 2025, Botswana's import activities under HS Code 8704 were heavily concentrated in diesel trucks under 5 tonnes, according to yTrade data. The sub-code for vehicles with compression-ignition engines not exceeding 5 tonnes accounted for over 36% of the total import value and 84% of the quantity, with a low unit price of approximately 435 USD per unit, indicating a high-volume, lower-cost specialization. High-value dumpers designed for off-highway use were isolated as anomalies due to their extreme unit prices exceeding 190,000 USD, which skewed the average and were excluded from the main analysis pool.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining imports can be grouped into three categories: light-duty diesel trucks (under 5 tonnes, with varying specifications), light-duty spark-ignition trucks (under 5 tonnes, with higher unit prices around 27,000-40,000 USD), and medium to heavy-duty diesel trucks (exceeding 5 tonnes, with unit prices ranging from 17,000 to 37,000 USD). This structure, revealed by HS Code 8704 trade data, points to a market for differentiated manufactured goods rather than fungible commodities, as prices and product features vary significantly based on engine type, weight capacity, and intended use.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For players in Botswana's HS Code 8704 import market, pricing power is stronger for specialized, higher-value vehicles like dumpers and specific engine types, while volume-driven segments like light diesel trucks face more competition and lower margins. Strategic focus should prioritize sourcing efficient, cost-effective light trucks for bulk needs while exploring niches in high-capacity or alternative fuel vehicles to capture premium pricing opportunities.

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 imports in May 2025, accounting for 75.01% of the total value and 98.82% of the quantity. The value share is lower than the quantity share, indicating that imports from South Africa consist of lower-value or bulk variants of Trucks. The high frequency share of 69.70% points to regular, frequent shipments, likely supporting retail or aftermarket supply chains for HS Code 8704 goods.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The origin countries form two main clusters based on share profiles. The High-Yield Cluster includes Finland, China Mainland, and the United States, where value shares are high but quantity shares are minimal, suggesting imports of premium, specialized, or high-end Trucks. The Volume Cluster is centered on South Africa, with overwhelming quantity dominance, indicating it as the primary source for bulk or standard Trucks. Japan stands out with a high frequency share relative to value and quantity, implying frequent, smaller shipments, possibly for parts or just-in-time logistics in the Trucks sector.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's heavy reliance on South Africa for Trucks imports highlights a supply chain vulnerability; diversifying sources among high-yield partners could reduce dependency and address premium market demands. Monitoring trade data for HS Code 8704 will be key to adjusting sourcing strategies, though external news does not indicate significant shifts during this period.

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 May 2025, the Botswana trucks import suppliers market was highly concentrated. According to yTrade data, a small cluster of high-value and high-frequency suppliers dominated, holding 94.21% of the total import value. This group, which includes companies like TOYOTA SA, represents the typical trade pattern, with frequent shipments accounting for most of the value and volume.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The dominant supplier group consists of large manufacturers, indicating a direct-to-factory sourcing approach for trucks. Other clusters include occasional high-value suppliers and regular low-value traders, but the market is primarily shaped by these key manufacturers. The profile of HS code 8704 suppliers shows a strong reliance on established automotive firms, with minimal intermediation from agents or traders.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

For Botswana importers, this supplier structure emphasizes the need to focus on securing partnerships with major manufacturers to ensure consistent supply. The high dependence on a few suppliers increases vulnerability to disruptions, such as production delays or geopolitical issues. According to Tendata, local entities like MOTOR CENTRE BOTS.(PTY) LTD play a significant role, suggesting that importers should also engage with reliable distributors to diversify risks and enhance supply chain resilience.

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

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Action Plan for Trucks Market Operation and Expansion

• Use hs code 8704 trade data to identify and target high-yield suppliers from Finland, China, and the US for premium truck models, capturing higher margins in Botswana's Trucks Import market that the dominant volume trade from South Africa does not serve.
• Negotiate direct partnerships with key OEMs like TOYOTA SA to secure volume pricing for light-duty diesel trucks, ensuring cost-effective bulk supply and stabilizing your Trucks supply chain against spot market competition.
• Diversify your sourcing strategy by adding Japanese partners for frequent, smaller shipments of specialized parts or vehicles, mitigating the risk of over-reliance on any single origin and building a more resilient import operation.
• Analyze unit price trends within hs code 8704 trade data to differentiate your inventory between high-volume/low-cost and high-value/specialized trucks, optimizing stock levels to meet both mainstream and niche demand in Botswana.

Take Action Now —— Explore Botswana Trucks Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Botswana's Trucks imports rebounded to $14.60 million in May 2025 after a sequential decline from January's peak, reflecting volatility in unit prices and structured inventory cycles likely tied to infrastructure or economic stimulus demands.

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

South Africa dominated with 75.01% of the import value and 98.82% of the quantity, followed by Finland, China, and the U.S. as high-yield niche suppliers.

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

Price differences stem from product specialization: South Africa supplies low-cost, high-volume light diesel trucks (~435 USD/unit), while Finland, China, and the U.S. export premium dumpers and spark-ignition trucks (up to 190,000 USD/unit).

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

Importers should prioritize partnerships with dominant manufacturers like TOYOTA SA for bulk needs while diversifying into high-yield suppliers for specialized vehicles to mitigate supply chain risks.

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

South African suppliers benefit from stable bulk demand, while niche suppliers (e.g., Finland, China) have opportunities to expand premium offerings given Botswana’s reliance on a few high-value origins.

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

Imported Trucks under HS Code 8704 serve varied roles, from cost-effective light-duty transport (under 5 tonnes) to specialized off-highway dumpers for infrastructure or industrial use.