Botswana Trucks Import Market -- HS Code 8704 Trade Data & Price Trend (Q3 2025)

Botswana Trucks Import (HS 8704) Key Takeaways

Botswana's trucks import market under HS Code 8704 in Q3 2025 is dominated by diesel-powered goods transport vehicles under 5 tonnes, accounting for 40% of import value, while premium and lower-value segments show extreme price dispersion. Supplier concentration is high, with just a few intermediaries handling 95% of import value, creating supply chain vulnerability. South Africa supplies 97% of volume, highlighting geographic risk amid a declining market trend, with import values dropping sharply from $12.16M in July to $9.81M in September. This analysis, based on cleanly processed 2025 Q3 Customs data from the yTrade database, reveals a market in flux, demanding strategic diversification and tailored procurement.

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 agriculture, driving stable global demand due to their role in supply chains. Botswana's trucks import under this code reflects its reliance on these vehicles for domestic infrastructure and trade operations.

Current Context and Strategic Position

The United States recently imposed a 37% additional duty on all imports from Botswana, effective April 2025 [Global Trade Alert]. This policy shift could disrupt Botswana's trucks import dynamics, particularly as the country recorded significant HS Code 8704 shipments in mid-2025. Botswana's strategic position as a regional trade hub underscores the need for vigilance in monitoring HS Code 8704 trade data, especially amid evolving tariff landscapes.

Botswana Trucks Import (HS 8704) Price Trend

Key Observations

In Q3 2025, Botswana's trucks import trend under HS code 8704 showed a sharp decline, with value dropping to $9.81 million in September from $12.16 million in July. Unit prices remained volatile, averaging around $7 per kilogram during the quarter, reflecting ongoing market adjustments.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The hs code 8704 value trend has been on a downward path since the start of 2025, with Q3's sequential decreases building on softer performance in Q2. This contraction aligns with broader economic pressures, including the U.S. duty hike on Botswana exports in April [Global Trade Alert], which likely dampened trade confidence and import capacity. For capital goods like trucks, such macro shifts often delay procurement cycles, exacerbating the slide in volumes and values through mid-year.

Botswana Trucks Import (HS 8704) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data for 2025 Q3, Botswana's import market for trucks under HS Code 8704 is heavily concentrated on a single product type. The dominant import is diesel-powered goods transport vehicles with a gross vehicle weight not exceeding 5 tonnes (HS Code 87042181). This category alone accounts for over 40% of the total import value and nearly half of all units imported, establishing it as the market's clear volume leader at an average price of $2,683 per unit.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining imports form two distinct tiers. A premium segment consists of heavier diesel trucks (exceeding 5 tonnes GVW) and specialized off-highway dumpers, which command significantly higher unit prices ranging from approximately $33,900 to $67,300. A secondary, lower-value segment includes various spark-ignition engine trucks and general goods transport vehicles, with prices generally falling below $16,000. This structure, featuring specialized vehicles with wide price dispersion, clearly indicates a trade in differentiated manufactured goods rather than uniform commodities.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Analysis of HS Code 8704 trade data reveals a fragmented supplier landscape for Botswana's import needs beyond the core volume product. This fragmentation, combined with the extreme price variance from roughly $5,300 to over $67,000 per truck, suggests strong buyer negotiating power for non-standard orders. Importers should focus on matching specific vehicle capabilities to operational requirements, as the market offers tailored solutions rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

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 dominates Botswana's Trucks imports in Q3 2025, supplying 97.10% of the quantity and 88.60% of the value. The value share is slightly lower than the quantity share, suggesting a focus on standard or lower-priced truck models rather than premium variants. High frequency at 77.59% indicates regular, likely logistics-driven shipments to meet local demand.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

Other partners cluster into high-yield sources with premium offerings. PORTUGAL and the UNITED KINGDOM have value shares exceeding their quantity shares, implying imports of specialized or higher-end trucks. CHINA and JAPAN show moderate value contributions with low quantity, reflecting a diverse but non-bulk supply of models. These patterns align with varied industrial needs in Botswana's market.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's heavy dependence on SOUTH AFRICA for Trucks imports poses a supply chain risk, urging diversification to sources like CHINA or JAPAN for stability and cost efficiency. While news on US tariffs [Global Trade Alert] affects exports from Botswana, it doesn't directly impact these import flows, highlighting the need for focused import strategy adjustments.

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 Q3 2025, the Botswana Trucks Import suppliers market is highly concentrated. According to yTrade data, a small cluster of suppliers accounts for 95.58% of the total import value. These suppliers are active frequently, handling 87.78% of all transactions and 65.00% of the quantity, indicating that typical trade involves regular, high-value shipments from a few key sources.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The dominant suppliers, including AA JAPAN PVT LTD and SUN MOTORS, point to an intermediated market where trading firms facilitate most imports. Other clusters have negligible roles, with low value or frequency shares. The profile of HS code 8704 suppliers shows that trade is agent-driven, with limited direct manufacturer involvement, shaping a market reliant on established intermediaries.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

This high concentration creates vulnerability for importers in Botswana, as reliance on few suppliers increases risk from disruptions like supply chain issues or policy changes. Strategic focus should include diversifying sources or securing backup partners. Recent import value spikes [Market Inside Data] highlight the sector's importance but also the need for robust risk management in sourcing strategies.

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 diversify sourcing beyond South Africa, targeting suppliers in China or Japan to reduce supply chain risk and improve cost efficiency for Botswana's Trucks Import market.
• Negotiate directly with manufacturers or new intermediaries identified in trade data, reducing reliance on the few dominant suppliers to secure better pricing and ensure supply stability.
• Analyze product-level data to match truck specifications (e.g., GVW, engine type) to operational needs, avoiding overpayment for unnecessary features and optimizing fleet costs.
• Develop contingency plans using real-time trade flow monitoring to quickly pivot sourcing in case of disruptions, protecting the Trucks supply chain from geopolitical or logistical shocks.
• Leverage buyer frequency and volume patterns to time purchases and negotiate bulk discounts, aligning procurement cycles with supplier shipment schedules to lower costs.

Take Action Now —— Explore Botswana Trucks Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Botswana Trucks Import 2025 Q3?

Botswana's truck imports declined sharply in Q3 2025, with value dropping from $12.16 million in July to $9.81 million in September. This reflects broader economic pressures, including U.S. tariff hikes on Botswana exports, which likely dampened trade confidence and delayed procurement cycles.

Q2. Who are the main origin countries of Botswana Trucks (HS Code 8704) 2025 Q3?

South Africa dominates Botswana's truck imports, supplying 97.10% of the quantity and 88.60% of the value. Other notable but minor contributors include Portugal and the United Kingdom, which focus on higher-end models.

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

Price differences stem from product specialization, with South Africa supplying standard or lower-priced trucks, while Portugal and the UK export premium variants. Diesel-powered goods transport vehicles under 5 tonnes dominate the lower-price segment, while heavier trucks and specialized dumpers command higher prices.

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

Importers should diversify suppliers beyond the dominant South African sources to mitigate supply chain risks. They should also match vehicle capabilities to operational needs, as the market offers tailored solutions rather than uniform options.

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

Overseas suppliers, particularly those offering specialized or premium trucks, have opportunities to expand in Botswana's market. However, they must compete with entrenched intermediaries like AA JAPAN PVT LTD and SUN MOTORS, which dominate the current trade flow.

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

Trucks imported under HS Code 8704 are primarily used for goods transport, with diesel-powered vehicles under 5 tonnes being the most common. Heavier and specialized models cater to industrial and off-highway applications, reflecting Botswana's varied logistical and operational needs.

Detailed Monthly Report

Botswana HS8704 Import Snapshot 2025 AUG

Botswana HS8704 Import Snapshot 2025 SEP