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

Botswana Trucks Import (HS 8704) Key Takeaways

Botswana's trucks import under HS code 8704 in October 2025 reveals a market dominated by diesel-powered trucks under 5 tonnes, with high supplier concentration and heavy reliance on South Africa (77.43% value share). Import values declined sharply from 17.51 million USD in January to 9.09 million USD, signaling reduced demand or policy-driven constraints. A small group of suppliers, including SUN MOTORS and ISUZU MOTORS, controlled 96.43% of import value, creating supply chain vulnerabilities. This analysis, based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database, highlights the need for strategic diversification to mitigate risks in Botswana's HS code 8704 trade data.

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 logistics, construction, and mining industries, driving stable global demand due to their role in supply chains and infrastructure development. Botswana's reliance on trucks underscores their importance in supporting both domestic and cross-border trade.

Current Context and Strategic Position

Botswana recorded its highest import value of new trucks under HS Code 8704 in June 2025, reaching USD 159.06K, followed by a significant drop in July [Market Inside Data]. This volatility highlights the need for close monitoring of Botswana's trucks import trends, especially as regional trade policies, such as Namibia's seasonal import restrictions, may influence supply dynamics. Botswana's strategic position as a landlocked country makes it heavily dependent on truck imports to maintain its trade corridors. Analyzing HS Code 8704 trade data is essential for stakeholders to anticipate market shifts and ensure supply chain resilience.

Botswana Trucks Import (HS 8704) Price Trend

Key Observations

In October 2025, Botswana's imports of trucks under HS code 8704 totaled 9.09 million USD, with a unit price of 8.26 USD per kilogram, reflecting a continued downturn in import activity.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Botswana Trucks Import trend showed a general decline in value from a peak of 17.51 million USD in January to 9.09 million USD in October, with sequential decreases in most months, including a drop from 9.81 million USD in September. This downward trajectory aligns with potential policy adjustments, such as tariff rate quotas limiting import windows, as indicated in earlier 2025 notes from [BURS], which may have compressed import volumes ahead of seasonal closures. The hs code 8704 value trend suggests reduced demand or inventory adjustments in the latter part of the year, typical for capital goods like trucks where procurement often slows after mid-year project completions.

Botswana Trucks Import (HS 8704) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In October 2025, according to yTrade data, Botswana's import of HS Code 8704 is heavily concentrated on diesel-powered trucks under 5 tonnes, specifically the sub-code for vehicles with compression-ignition engines for goods transport, which holds a 35% value share. An extreme price anomaly exists with off-highway dumpers, isolated due to a unit price over 180 times higher than the average.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining imports split into diesel and spark-ignition truck categories, with diesel models dominating across various weight classes, indicating a market for robust, fuel-efficient work vehicles. Spark-ignition trucks are less common, catering to lighter duty needs. This differentiation confirms trade in specialized manufactured goods, not bulk commodities, with engine type and capacity defining product grades.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Suppliers of popular diesel trucks under 5 tonnes likely hold strong pricing power, so importers should prioritize securing stable supply chains for these models. Strategic focus on negotiating with established manufacturers for high-demand segments can reduce costs and improve availability, based on insights from HS Code 8704 trade data for Botswana.

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

SOUTH AFRICA is the dominant origin for Botswana's Trucks Import in October 2025, holding a 77.43% value share and 72.09% frequency share. The value share slightly exceeds the frequency share, suggesting a mix of higher-value trucks or components in the shipments. The high frequency indicates regular, possibly daily or weekly deliveries, which points to a just-in-time supply chain for automotive parts or vehicles. This dominance underscores SOUTH AFRICA's key role in supplying trucks to Botswana under HS Code 8704.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The origin countries form two main clusters based on trade data for HS Code 8704. First, a High-Yield Cluster includes FINLAND, with a 13.27% value share but negligible quantity, indicating imports of premium or niche trucks, likely luxury models. Second, a Dominant Cluster is SOUTH AFRICA, with high value and frequency shares, driven by geographic proximity and existing trade agreements that facilitate efficient logistics for trucks and parts. Other countries like CHINA and JAPAN have smaller shares, possibly supplying specialized components or alternative models, reflecting diversified but minor sourcing options.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's heavy reliance on SOUTH AFRICA for Trucks Import creates supply chain vulnerability; diversifying sources to include countries like CHINA or JAPAN could reduce dependency and enhance stability. Recent import trends show significant activity, as noted in news from June and July 2025 [Market Inside Data], supporting the need for strategic sourcing adjustments. Focusing on building relationships with multiple suppliers will help mitigate risks and ensure steady access to trucks under HS Code 8704.

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

Get Complete Origin Countries Profile

Botswana Trucks (HS 8704) Suppliers Analysis

Supplier Concentration and Dominance

In October 2025, the Botswana trucks import supplier market showed high concentration. According to yTrade data, a small group of high-value, high-frequency suppliers dominated, handling 96.43% of the import value. These suppliers were responsible for 84.27% of shipment frequency, indicating consistent, high-volume trade typical for manufactured goods like trucks under HS code 8704.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The dominant suppliers, such as SUN MOTORS PVT LTD and ISUZU MOTORS SOUTH AFRICA PTY LTD, are manufacturers or direct distributors, pointing to a "Direct-to-Factory" sourcing model. This reduces intermediation and may lower costs. The remaining cluster, with lower value but high frequency, includes companies like C V COMMERCIALS UK LTD, suggesting a role in supplying smaller or specialized truck parts, but with minimal overall impact at 3.57% value share.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

Botswana's reliance on a few key suppliers for trucks imports creates vulnerability to supply chain disruptions, such as production halts or logistics issues. Strategic focus should be on diversifying sources or building stronger relationships with current suppliers to mitigate risks. The high import values noted in previous months, like June 2025 [Market Inside Data], indicate sustained demand, reinforcing the need for stable sourcing strategies.

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

Check Full Trucks Supplier lists

Action Plan for Trucks Market Operation and Expansion

• Negotiate long-term contracts with dominant suppliers like Isuzu Motors South Africa to lock in pricing for high-volume diesel trucks under 5 tonnes, because securing stable supply chains reduces cost volatility and ensures availability for Botswana's Trucks Import demand.
• Diversify sourcing beyond South Africa by engaging suppliers from China or Japan for specific truck models or components, mitigating geographic concentration risks in the hs code 8704 trade data and strengthening overall Trucks supply chain resilience.
• Use detailed hs code 8704 trade data to analyze sub-codes like off-highway dumpers and spark-ignition trucks, identifying niche opportunities or cost-saving alternatives to avoid overpaying for specialized imports in Botswana's market.
• Build stronger relationships with high-frequency, high-value suppliers to gain priority during disruptions, ensuring consistent delivery and minimizing downtime in the Trucks supply chain for critical economic sectors.
• Monitor shipment frequency and value trends monthly to anticipate demand spikes or supplier issues, enabling proactive adjustments to inventory and logistics strategies for Botswana 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 October?

The decline in import value to 9.09 million USD reflects reduced demand or inventory adjustments, likely due to policy shifts like tariff rate quotas and seasonal slowdowns after mid-year project completions.

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

South Africa dominates with 77.43% of import value, followed by Finland (13.27%) for niche trucks, and minor contributions from China and Japan.

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

Price differences stem from product specialization: South Africa supplies mainstream diesel trucks, while Finland’s high-value share suggests premium models, with off-highway dumpers showing extreme price anomalies.

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

Prioritize securing stable supply chains for high-demand diesel trucks under 5 tonnes and diversify suppliers to mitigate reliance on South Africa’s dominant cluster.

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

South African suppliers hold strong pricing power due to Botswana’s dependency, while niche suppliers (e.g., Finland) can leverage premium demand, albeit with limited volume impact.

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

Imports are specialized manufactured goods, primarily diesel-powered trucks for goods transport, with engine type and capacity defining grades for robust, fuel-efficient work vehicles.