Botswana Vehicle Parts Import Market -- HS Code 8708 Trade Data & Price Trend (Q1 2025)

Botswana Vehicle Parts Import (HS 8708) Key Takeaways

Botswana's vehicle parts imports under HS Code 8708 in Q1 2025 reveal a market split between high-volume, low-cost commodity parts and specialized, higher-value components like transmission systems. Import values dipped mid-quarter due to tariff adjustments but rebounded by March, signaling stabilization. Supplier concentration is high, with a few dominant players handling most trade, creating supply chain risks. South Africa accounts for nearly 60% of imports, highlighting regional dependency, while premium parts come from high-yield markets like Germany and Japan. This analysis is based on cleanly processed customs data from the yTrade database for Q1 2025.

Botswana Vehicle Parts Import (HS 8708) Background

What is HS Code 8708?

HS Code 8708 covers parts and accessories of motor vehicles, including components like bumpers, brakes, and transmissions. These products are critical for automotive manufacturing, repair, and maintenance, driving steady global demand. Industries reliant on vehicle parts range from OEMs to aftermarket suppliers, ensuring consistent trade activity under this classification.

Current Context and Strategic Position

The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (2025) Revision 5 [USITC] highlights ongoing adjustments to duty rates and classifications, which could indirectly influence Botswana's Vehicle Parts Import market. Botswana's reliance on imported vehicle parts, particularly for its growing automotive sector, underscores the strategic importance of monitoring HS Code 8708 trade data. With global supply chains facing potential disruptions from tariff revisions, Botswana's importers must remain vigilant to maintain cost competitiveness and supply stability.

Botswana Vehicle Parts Import (HS 8708) Price Trend

Key Observations

The Botswana Vehicle Parts Import trend for Q1 2025 showed a total import value of 23.29 million USD, with unit prices holding steady at $12.41 per kg in January and February before edging up to $12.52 per kg in March. This performance reflects moderate volatility in import volumes under HS code 8708.

Price and Volume Dynamics

Import values declined by 23.4% month-over-month from January to February, from 8.82 million USD to 6.76 million USD, before recovering by 14.1% in March to 7.71 million USD. This dip and subsequent rebound align with the release of updated tariff schedules by BURS on January 1, 2025 [BURS], which likely prompted temporary import delays as market participants assessed new duty impacts. The March uptick indicates resumed procurement activity, consistent with post-adjustment inventory builds in the automotive parts sector, supporting the overall hs code 8708 value trend for the quarter.

Botswana Vehicle Parts Import (HS 8708) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data, Botswana's import of vehicle parts under HS Code 8708 in Q1 2025 is heavily concentrated in a single category. The market is dominated by 'Vehicle parts and accessories; n.e.c. in heading no. 8708' (HS Code 87089990), which accounts for nearly half of the total import value. This category is characterized by a low unit price of $16.57 per unit, a high shipment frequency, and a large volume, suggesting it is a high-volume, low-cost commodity product that forms the bulk of the import market.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining imports are split into two clear tiers of higher-value components. The first tier consists of critical transmission and drivetrain parts, such as gear boxes and drive-axles, which command higher prices between $21.48 and $30.78 per unit. The second tier includes suspension systems, brakes, and clutches, with prices ranging from $6.94 to $34.64 per unit. This structure shows Botswana's HS Code 8708 import is not a single market but a mix of bulk commodities and differentiated, higher-value manufactured goods.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For importers, this market structure means pricing power is limited for the high-volume commodity parts, where competition is likely fierce. However, significant opportunity exists for suppliers of the specialized, higher-value components like transmission and suspension systems. The analysis of HS Code 8708 trade data suggests a strategic focus for businesses should be on these niche, higher-margin products rather than the crowded bulk market.

Table: Botswana HS Code 8708) Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

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Botswana Vehicle Parts Import (HS 8708) Origin Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

South Africa is the dominant source for Botswana's Vehicle Parts import in Q1 2025, holding 58.84% of the value share and 59.09% of the quantity share. The nearly equal value and quantity shares indicate a balanced trade in mid-range parts, without strong premium or bulk characteristics. However, the high frequency share of 65.64% suggests frequent, small shipments, typical for aftermarket parts or just-in-time supply chains in the automotive sector.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The origin countries form three clusters based on share profiles. The High-Yield Cluster includes Germany, United States, Australia, United Kingdom, and Japan, where value shares exceed quantity shares, indicating supplies of premium or specialized components for Botswana's Vehicle Parts market. The Volume Cluster consists of China and India, with quantity shares significantly higher than value shares, pointing to bulk or economy-grade parts. South Africa alone represents the Transactional Cluster due to its high frequency, reflecting its role as a nearby distribution hub with regular shipments.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's heavy reliance on South Africa for Vehicle Parts imports creates supply chain vulnerability to regional disruptions. Diversifying sourcing towards High-Yield Cluster countries could enhance access to quality components and reduce dependency. The provided news on tariff schedules [BURS] may influence future import costs but does not directly explain current trade shifts, so monitoring policy changes is advised for HS Code 8708 trade strategies.

Table: Botswana Vehicle Parts (HS 8708) Top Origin Countries (Source: yTrade)

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Botswana Vehicle Parts (HS 8708) Suppliers Analysis

Supplier Concentration and Dominance

In Q1 2025, the Botswana Vehicle Parts Import supplier market shows strong concentration, with a small group handling most trade. According to yTrade data, suppliers that ship large volumes frequently dominate, making up 68.97% of the total import value. This group also accounts for over 77% of shipment frequency, indicating that the typical trade involves regular, high-value deliveries from key partners.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

Other supplier groups include those with high value but low frequency, contributing 23.41% to value, and low-value groups with varying frequency. The dominant suppliers, like ALERT ENGINE PARTS and VOLVO GROUP SOUTHERN AFRICA PTY LTD, point to a direct-to-factory sourcing model for HS code 8708 suppliers, where manufacturers supply parts directly rather than through intermediaries. This suggests efficient, manufacturer-led trade flows into Botswana.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

For importers in Botswana, the heavy reliance on a few high-frequency suppliers offers stability but poses risks from supply disruptions. Strategic focus should include diversifying sources to mitigate dependency. The recent customs schedules from BURS [BURS] highlight ongoing tariff and duty considerations, reinforcing the need for cost-aware sourcing strategies to navigate potential policy changes.

Table: Botswana Vehicle Parts (HS 8708) Top Suppliers List (Source: yTrade)

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Action Plan for Vehicle Parts Market Operation and Expansion

• Diversify your sourcing beyond South Africa. Use hs code 8708 trade data to identify premium suppliers in Germany and Japan. This reduces vulnerability to regional disruptions within the Vehicle Parts supply chain.
• Shift your product focus to high-value components. Target imports of transmission and suspension systems. This captures higher margins and avoids the low-profit, high-volume commodity segment of Botswana's Vehicle Parts Import market.
• Analyze supplier shipment frequency. Use this data to align your inventory cycles with delivery schedules. This prevents overstocking and optimizes working capital for your Vehicle Parts supply chain.
• Monitor BURS tariff updates quarterly. Adjust your sourcing costs and supplier negotiations proactively. This protects your profit margins for Botswana Vehicle Parts Import against sudden policy changes.

Take Action Now —— Explore Botswana Vehicle Parts Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Botswana Vehicle Parts Import 2025 Q1?

The import value dipped by 23.4% in February due to temporary delays after Botswana's updated tariff schedules took effect, then rebounded by 14.1% in March as procurement resumed.

Q2. Who are the main origin countries of Botswana Vehicle Parts (HS Code 8708) 2025 Q1?

South Africa dominates with 58.84% of import value, followed by High-Yield Cluster countries like Germany and the US, which supply premium components.

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

Prices vary due to product specialization: High-Yield Cluster countries ship pricier transmission/drivetrain parts, while China and India focus on low-cost bulk commodities.

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

Importers should diversify suppliers to reduce reliance on South Africa and prioritize niche, higher-margin components like suspension systems over bulk commodities.

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

Suppliers of specialized parts (e.g., German/US manufacturers) have strong opportunities, while bulk exporters face fierce competition in Botswana's commodity-driven market.

Q6. How is Vehicle Parts typically used in this trade flow?

The mix of bulk accessories and high-value drivetrain components suggests use in both routine maintenance and vehicle assembly or repair operations.

Detailed Monthly Report

Botswana HS8708 Import Snapshot 2025 JAN

Botswana HS8708 Import Snapshot 2025 FEB

Botswana HS8708 Import Snapshot 2025 MAR