Trade lane

What Botswana buys from South Africa.

Botswana imported USD 2.8bn of manufactured and processed goods from South Africa in 2024, down 3 per cent on 2022. That is 82 per cent of everything Botswana imported in these lines, and South Africa is its largest source. Below: the 50 largest lines, the fastest growing, where South Africa dominates, and where another country ships the same line for less a tonne.

Trade year 2024, compared with 2022. Unit values are customs values per tonne, declared at the border, not product prices.

USD 2.8bnfrom South Africa in 2024 (USD 2.9bn in 2022)
82 per centof Botswana's imports in these lines, USD 3.4bn from every source
517product lines worth USD 1m or more on this lane
#1South Africa's rank among Botswana's sources
The top 50

The largest lines on the lane, by 2024 value.

Each line shows what Botswana paid South Africa for it at the border, South Africa's share of everything Botswana imported in that line, how it changed since 2022, and the customs unit value per tonne where the weight is recorded. Together they are 36 per cent of the lane.

  1. 1

    Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a gvw not exceeding 5 tonnes), n.e.c. in...HS 870421

    Share of Botswana's imports98 per cent, 9 source countries
    Changeup 26 per cent on 2022 (USD 69m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 11,985 a tonne, 7,234 tonnes
    USD 87min 2024
  2. 2

    Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail saleHS 300490

    Share of Botswana's imports60 per cent, 22 source countries
    Changeup 53 per cent on 2022 (USD 30m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 17,723 a tonne, 2,596 tonnes
    USD 46min 2024
  3. 3

    Cement: portland, other than white, whether or not artificially colouredHS 252329

    Share of Botswana's imports80 per cent, 2 source countries
    Changedown 3 per cent on 2022 (USD 46m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 44min 2024
  4. 4

    Beverages, fermented: (e.g. cider, perry, mead, sake)HS 220600

    Share of Botswana's imports100 per cent, 2 source countries
    Changedown 3 per cent on 2022 (USD 40m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 38min 2024
  5. 5

    Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, not fitted with connectorsHS 854449

    Share of Botswana's imports73 per cent, 17 source countries
    Changeup 27 per cent on 2022 (USD 28m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 6,994 a tonne, 5,116 tonnes
    USD 36min 2024
  6. 6

    Washing and cleaning preparations: surface-active, whether or not containing soap (excluding those of heading no. 3401), including auxiliary washing preparations, not...HS 340290

    Share of Botswana's imports100 per cent, 10 source countries
    Changeup 40 per cent on 2022 (USD 25m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 35min 2024
  7. 7

    Cosmetic and toilet preparations: n.e.c. in heading no. 3304, for the care of the skin (excluding medicaments, including sunscreen or sun tan preparations)HS 330499

    Share of Botswana's imports99 per cent, 20 source countries
    Changeup 18 per cent on 2022 (USD 29m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 34min 2024
  8. 8

    Machinery: parts of machines handling earth, minerals or ores and n.e.c. in heading no. 8431HS 843149

    Share of Botswana's imports92 per cent, 17 source countries
    Changedown 51 per cent on 2022 (USD 65m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 12,566 a tonne, 2,495 tonnes
    USD 31min 2024
  9. 9

    Sugars: sucrose, chemically pure, in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matterHS 170199

    Share of Botswana's imports100 per cent, 3 source countries
    Changeup 296 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 31min 2024
  10. 10

    Sauces and preparations therefor: mixed condiments and mixed seasoningsHS 210390

    Share of Botswana's imports100 per cent, 6 source countries
    Changelevel with 2022 (USD 24m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 24min 2024
  11. 11

    Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308HS 730890

    Share of Botswana's imports89 per cent, 9 source countries
    Changedown 18 per cent on 2022 (USD 29m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 2,137 a tonne, 11,215 tonnes
    USD 24min 2024
  12. 12

    Telephone sets: smartphones for cellular or other wireless networksHS 851713

    Share of Botswana's imports82 per cent, 15 source countries
    Changeup 28 per cent on 2022 (USD 18m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 903,710 a tonne, 25 tonnes
    USD 23min 2024
  13. 13

    Beer: made from maltHS 220300

    Share of Botswana's imports100 per cent, 5 source countries
    Changedown 36 per cent on 2022 (USD 36m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 23min 2024
  14. 14

    Food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10HS 210690

    Share of Botswana's imports98 per cent, 13 source countries
    Changeup 40 per cent on 2022 (USD 16m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 22min 2024
  15. 15

    Machines, for sorting, screening, separating, washing, crushing etc mineral substances, for agglomerating, shaping or moulding solid fuels, ceramic pastes etc, for...HS 847490

    Share of Botswana's imports85 per cent, 15 source countries
    Changeup 20 per cent on 2022 (USD 18m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 8,753 a tonne, 2,524 tonnes
    USD 22min 2024
  16. 16

    Automatic data processing machines: portable, weighing not more than 10kg, consisting of at least a central processing unit, a keyboard and a displayHS 847130

    Share of Botswana's imports93 per cent, 21 source countries
    Changedown 19 per cent on 2022 (USD 27m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 265,519 a tonne, 82 tonnes
    USD 22min 2024
  17. 17

    Tractors: road tractors for semi-trailers, with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel)HS 870121

    Share of Botswana's imports92 per cent, 5 source countries
    Changelevel with 2022 (USD 21m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 21min 2024
  18. 18

    Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000ccHS 870323

    Share of Botswana's imports82 per cent, 15 source countries
    Changedown 63 per cent on 2022 (USD 57m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 16,540 a tonne, 1,275 tonnes
    USD 21min 2024
  19. 19

    Vehicle parts and accessories: n.e.c. in heading no. 8708HS 870899

    Share of Botswana's imports89 per cent, 21 source countries
    Changedown 58 per cent on 2022 (USD 48m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 9,805 a tonne, 2,045 tonnes
    USD 20min 2024
  20. 20

    Dog or cat food: (not put up for retail sale), used in animal feedingHS 230990

    Share of Botswana's imports96 per cent, 3 source countries
    Changeup 28 per cent on 2022 (USD 15m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 19min 2024
  21. 21

    Juices: mixtures of fruits or vegetables (but not nut juice), unfermented, not containing added spirit, whether or not containing added sugar or other sweetening matterHS 200990

    Share of Botswana's imports99 per cent, 5 source countries
    Changeup 82 per cent on 2022 (USD 11m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 19min 2024
  22. 22

    Waters: including mineral and aerated, containing added sugar or other sweetening matter or flavouredHS 220210

    Share of Botswana's imports99 per cent, 7 source countries
    Changedown 22 per cent on 2022 (USD 24m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 19min 2024
  23. 23

    Sanitary towels (pads) and tampons, napkins (diapers), napkin liners and similar articles, of any materialHS 961900

    Share of Botswana's imports97 per cent, 5 source countries
    Changedown 7 per cent on 2022 (USD 20m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 4,947 a tonne, 3,807 tonnes
    USD 19min 2024
  24. 24

    Wood: coniferous species, of pine (Pinus spp.), sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or not planed, sanded or finger-jointed, of a thickness exceeding...HS 440711

    Share of Botswana's imports89 per cent, 2 source countries
    Changelevel with 2022 (USD 18m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 19min 2024
  25. 25

    Vehicles: dumpers, designed for off-highway use, for transport of goodsHS 870410

    Share of Botswana's imports99 per cent, 3 source countries
    Changeup 26 per cent on 2022 (USD 14m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 9,086 a tonne, 2,009 tonnes
    USD 18min 2024
  26. 26

    Non-alcoholic beverages: other than non-alcoholic beer, n.e.c. in item no. 2202.10, not including fruit, nut or vegetable juices of heading no. 2009HS 220299

    Share of Botswana's imports95 per cent, 7 source countries
    Changedown 36 per cent on 2022 (USD 24m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 343 a tonne, 45,508 tonnes
    USD 16min 2024
  27. 27

    Printing machinery: parts and accessories, n.e.c. in item no. 8443.91HS 844399

    Share of Botswana's imports98 per cent, 14 source countries
    Changeup 87 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 15min 2024
  28. 28

    Taps, cocks, valves and similar appliances: for pipes, boiler shells, tanks, vats or the like, including thermostatically controlled valvesHS 848180

    Share of Botswana's imports82 per cent, 22 source countries
    Changeup 24 per cent on 2022 (USD 12m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 13,684 a tonne, 1,057 tonnes
    USD 14min 2024
  29. 29

    Plastics: other articles n.e.c. in chapter 39HS 392690

    Share of Botswana's imports81 per cent, 34 source countries
    Changedown 24 per cent on 2022 (USD 18m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 2,056 a tonne, 6,671 tonnes
    USD 14min 2024
  30. 30

    Food preparations: cereal or cereal products (excluding maize), in grain form, pre-cooked or otherwise preparedHS 190490

    Share of Botswana's imports100 per cent, 2 source countries
    Changeup 19 per cent on 2022 (USD 12m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 14min 2024
  31. 31

    Paper articles: toilet paperHS 481810

    Share of Botswana's imports100 per cent, 2 source countries
    Changeup 1 per cent on 2022 (USD 13m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 13min 2024
  32. 32

    Sugar confectionery: (excluding chewing gum, including white chocolate), not containing cocoaHS 170490

    Share of Botswana's imports93 per cent, 11 source countries
    Changedown 10 per cent on 2022 (USD 15m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 2,892 a tonne, 4,516 tonnes
    USD 13min 2024
  33. 33

    Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of less than 0.94HS 390110

    Share of Botswana's imports98 per cent, 4 source countries
    Changedown 7 per cent on 2022 (USD 14m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 1,278 a tonne, 10,187 tonnes
    USD 13min 2024
  34. 34

    Footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plasticsHS 640299

    Share of Botswana's imports83 per cent, 8 source countries
    Changeup 107 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 13min 2024
  35. 35

    Boards, panels, consoles, desks and other bases: for electric control or the distribution of electricity, (other than switching apparatus of heading no. 8517), for a...HS 853710

    Share of Botswana's imports76 per cent, 27 source countries
    Changeup 137 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 28,431 a tonne, 446 tonnes
    USD 13min 2024
  36. 36

    Sauces: tomato ketchup and other tomato saucesHS 210320

    Share of Botswana's imports99 per cent, 4 source countries
    Changeup 13 per cent on 2022 (USD 11m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 12min 2024
  37. 37

    Vegetable preparations: potatoes, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozenHS 200520

    Share of Botswana's imports100 per cent, 3 source countries
    Changeup 25 per cent on 2022 (USD 9m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 12min 2024
  38. 38

    Vinyl chloride, other halogenated olefin polymers: poly(vinyl chloride), not mixed with any other substances, in primary formsHS 390410

    Share of Botswana's imports78 per cent, 6 source countries
    Changedown 54 per cent on 2022 (USD 26m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 926 a tonne, 12,805 tonnes
    USD 12min 2024
  39. 39

    Soap and organic surface-active products: in the form of bars, cakes, moulded shapes, and paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap...HS 340111

    Share of Botswana's imports99 per cent, 5 source countries
    Changeup 180 per cent on 2022 (USD 4m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 12min 2024
  40. 40

    Food preparations: sweet biscuits, whether or not containing cocoaHS 190531

    Share of Botswana's imports95 per cent, 7 source countries
    Changelevel with 2022 (USD 11m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 11min 2024
  41. 41

    Engines: compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines (diesel or semi-diesel engines), of a kind used for the propulsion of vehicles of chapter 87HS 840820

    Share of Botswana's imports98 per cent, 5 source countries
    Changeup 283 per cent on 2022 (USD 3m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 11min 2024
  42. 42

    Iron or non-alloy steel: in coils, flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, with patterns in reliefHS 720810

    Share of Botswana's imports100 per cent, 1 source country
    Changeup 23 per cent on 2022 (USD 9m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 11min 2024
  43. 43

    Tractors: road tractors for semi-trailers, with both compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel) and electric motors for propulsionHS 870122

    Share of Botswana's imports100 per cent, 1 source country
    Changefrom USD 2m in 2022
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 11min 2024
  44. 44

    Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), cylinder capacity over 2500ccHS 870333

    Share of Botswana's imports75 per cent, 7 source countries
    Changedown 13 per cent on 2022 (USD 13m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 19,338 a tonne, 566 tonnes
    USD 11min 2024
  45. 45

    Perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations: personal deodorants and antiperspirantsHS 330720

    Share of Botswana's imports100 per cent, 3 source countries
    Changedown 1 per cent on 2022 (USD 11m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 11min 2024
  46. 46

    Mattress supportsHS 940410

    Share of Botswana's imports100 per cent, 4 source countries
    Changeup 66 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 11min 2024
  47. 47

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, ammonium nitrate, whether or not in aqueous solutionHS 310230

    Share of Botswana's imports100 per cent, 1 source country
    Changedown 60 per cent on 2022 (USD 26m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 11min 2024
  48. 48

    Boring or sinking machinery: parts for boring or sinking machinery of subheading 8430.41 or 8430.49HS 843143

    Share of Botswana's imports86 per cent, 14 source countries
    Changedown 23 per cent on 2022 (USD 14m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 11,895 a tonne, 877 tonnes
    USD 10min 2024
  49. 49

    Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, containing indentations, ribs, grooves or other deformations produced during the rolling...HS 721420

    Share of Botswana's imports100 per cent, 2 source countries
    Changeup 121 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 10min 2024
  50. 50

    Soups and broths and preparations thereforHS 210410

    Share of Botswana's imports100 per cent, 1 source country
    Changeup 42 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 10min 2024
Fastest growing

The lines that grew most since 2022.

Lines worth at least USD 5m in 2022, ranked by growth to 2024 in current dollars. A fast rise can be a new product, a shift away from another source, or a price change; the record does not say which.

  1. Sugars: sucrose, chemically pure, in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matterHS 170199USD 31m in 2024, up 296 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022). South Africa supplies 100 per cent of the line.
  2. Boards, panels, consoles, desks and other bases: for electric control or the distribution of electricity, (other than switching apparatus of heading no. 8517), for a...HS 853710USD 13m in 2024, up 137 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022). South Africa supplies 76 per cent of the line.
  3. Footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plasticsHS 640299USD 13m in 2024, up 107 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). South Africa supplies 83 per cent of the line.
  4. Printing machinery: parts and accessories, n.e.c. in item no. 8443.91HS 844399USD 15m in 2024, up 87 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022). South Africa supplies 98 per cent of the line.
  5. Juices: mixtures of fruits or vegetables (but not nut juice), unfermented, not containing added spirit, whether or not containing added sugar or other sweetening matterHS 200990USD 19m in 2024, up 82 per cent on 2022 (USD 11m in 2022). South Africa supplies 99 per cent of the line.
  6. Mattress supportsHS 940410USD 11m in 2024, up 66 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). South Africa supplies 100 per cent of the line.
  7. Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail saleHS 300490USD 46m in 2024, up 53 per cent on 2022 (USD 30m in 2022). South Africa supplies 60 per cent of the line.
  8. Soups and broths and preparations thereforHS 210410USD 10m in 2024, up 42 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022). South Africa supplies 100 per cent of the line.
  9. Washing and cleaning preparations: surface-active, whether or not containing soap (excluding those of heading no. 3401), including auxiliary washing preparations, not...HS 340290USD 35m in 2024, up 40 per cent on 2022 (USD 25m in 2022). South Africa supplies 100 per cent of the line.
  10. Food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10HS 210690USD 22m in 2024, up 40 per cent on 2022 (USD 16m in 2022). South Africa supplies 98 per cent of the line.
  11. Food preparations: pasta, uncooked (excluding that containing eggs), not stuffed or otherwise preparedHS 190219USD 8m in 2024, up 39 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). South Africa supplies 87 per cent of the line.
  12. Telephone sets: smartphones for cellular or other wireless networksHS 851713USD 23m in 2024, up 28 per cent on 2022 (USD 18m in 2022). South Africa supplies 82 per cent of the line.
  13. Dog or cat food: (not put up for retail sale), used in animal feedingHS 230990USD 19m in 2024, up 28 per cent on 2022 (USD 15m in 2022). South Africa supplies 96 per cent of the line.
  14. Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, not fitted with connectorsHS 854449USD 36m in 2024, up 27 per cent on 2022 (USD 28m in 2022). South Africa supplies 73 per cent of the line.
  15. Vehicles: dumpers, designed for off-highway use, for transport of goodsHS 870410USD 18m in 2024, up 26 per cent on 2022 (USD 14m in 2022). South Africa supplies 99 per cent of the line.
  16. Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a gvw not exceeding 5 tonnes), n.e.c. in...HS 870421USD 87m in 2024, up 26 per cent on 2022 (USD 69m in 2022). South Africa supplies 98 per cent of the line.
  17. Vegetable preparations: potatoes, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozenHS 200520USD 12m in 2024, up 25 per cent on 2022 (USD 9m in 2022). South Africa supplies 100 per cent of the line.
  18. Footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6403, (not covering the ankle), outer soles of rubber, plastics or composition leather, uppers of leatherHS 640399USD 9m in 2024, up 25 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022). South Africa supplies 98 per cent of the line.
  19. Iron or steel: articles n.e.c. in heading 7326HS 732690USD 9m in 2024, up 24 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022). South Africa supplies 81 per cent of the line.
  20. Taps, cocks, valves and similar appliances: for pipes, boiler shells, tanks, vats or the like, including thermostatically controlled valvesHS 848180USD 14m in 2024, up 24 per cent on 2022 (USD 12m in 2022). South Africa supplies 82 per cent of the line.
Where South Africa dominates

Lines where South Africa supplies 60 per cent or more.

The largest lines worth USD 1m or more where South Africa ships at least 60 per cent of what Botswana imports. This is supply concentration: how much of the line depends on one source country.

  1. Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a gvw not exceeding 5 tonnes), n.e.c. in...HS 87042198 per cent of Botswana's imports of the line, USD 87m; 9 source countries in all.
  2. Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail saleHS 30049060 per cent of Botswana's imports of the line, USD 46m; 22 source countries in all.
  3. Cement: portland, other than white, whether or not artificially colouredHS 25232980 per cent of Botswana's imports of the line, USD 44m; 2 source countries in all.
  4. Beverages, fermented: (e.g. cider, perry, mead, sake)HS 220600100 per cent of Botswana's imports of the line, USD 38m; 2 source countries in all.
  5. Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, not fitted with connectorsHS 85444973 per cent of Botswana's imports of the line, USD 36m; 17 source countries in all.
  6. Washing and cleaning preparations: surface-active, whether or not containing soap (excluding those of heading no. 3401), including auxiliary washing preparations, not...HS 340290100 per cent of Botswana's imports of the line, USD 35m; 10 source countries in all.
  7. Cosmetic and toilet preparations: n.e.c. in heading no. 3304, for the care of the skin (excluding medicaments, including sunscreen or sun tan preparations)HS 33049999 per cent of Botswana's imports of the line, USD 34m; 20 source countries in all.
  8. Machinery: parts of machines handling earth, minerals or ores and n.e.c. in heading no. 8431HS 84314992 per cent of Botswana's imports of the line, USD 31m; 17 source countries in all.
  9. Sugars: sucrose, chemically pure, in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matterHS 170199100 per cent of Botswana's imports of the line, USD 31m; 3 source countries in all.
  10. Sauces and preparations therefor: mixed condiments and mixed seasoningsHS 210390100 per cent of Botswana's imports of the line, USD 24m; 6 source countries in all.
  11. Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308HS 73089089 per cent of Botswana's imports of the line, USD 24m; 9 source countries in all.
  12. Telephone sets: smartphones for cellular or other wireless networksHS 85171382 per cent of Botswana's imports of the line, USD 23m; 15 source countries in all.
  13. Beer: made from maltHS 220300100 per cent of Botswana's imports of the line, USD 23m; 5 source countries in all.
  14. Food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10HS 21069098 per cent of Botswana's imports of the line, USD 22m; 13 source countries in all.
  15. Machines, for sorting, screening, separating, washing, crushing etc mineral substances, for agglomerating, shaping or moulding solid fuels, ceramic pastes etc, for...HS 84749085 per cent of Botswana's imports of the line, USD 22m; 15 source countries in all.
  16. Automatic data processing machines: portable, weighing not more than 10kg, consisting of at least a central processing unit, a keyboard and a displayHS 84713093 per cent of Botswana's imports of the line, USD 22m; 21 source countries in all.
  17. Tractors: road tractors for semi-trailers, with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel)HS 87012192 per cent of Botswana's imports of the line, USD 21m; 5 source countries in all.
  18. Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000ccHS 87032382 per cent of Botswana's imports of the line, USD 21m; 15 source countries in all.
  19. Vehicle parts and accessories: n.e.c. in heading no. 8708HS 87089989 per cent of Botswana's imports of the line, USD 20m; 21 source countries in all.
  20. Dog or cat food: (not put up for retail sale), used in animal feedingHS 23099096 per cent of Botswana's imports of the line, USD 19m; 3 source countries in all.
Another source, lower unit value

Where another country ships the same line for at least 20 per cent less a tonne.

Lines worth USD 5m or more where South Africa's unit value is recorded and another country also ships at least USD 5m of the same line to Botswana at a unit value at least 20 per cent lower. The largest such source is named. The same heading can hold different grades, so a lower figure is a question to ask, not a like-for-like price.

  1. Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on buses or lorriesHS 401120South Africa: USD 7m at USD 4,098 a tonne. China: USD 6m (45 per cent of the line) at USD 2,120 a tonne, 48 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 4,098 a tonne.
The other side of the lane

What Botswana buys from everyone, and what it is placed to make.

What this record says

What crossed the border, what it was worth, and what it weighed.

Every figure on this page is from CEPII's BACI file, which reconciles what each pair of countries reports to the UN about the same shipment. Trade year 2024, compared with 2022. A line is one six-digit customs heading (HS 2022). Values are in US dollars at the border; growth is in current dollars, so part of any change is price, not volume.

Unit value. Unit values are customs values per tonne, declared at the border, not product prices. It is the value of a line divided by its declared weight, so it mixes grades, models and qualities under one heading. It is shown only where the weight is recorded, at least three source countries of USD 100k or more ship the line to Botswana with a weight, and the figure sits within a factor of five of the middle of those sources. Outside that band it is treated as a recording problem and left out.

Share is South Africa's part of everything Botswana imported in that line, from every source. Sources counts the countries that shipped any of it.

Scope. Manufactured and processed goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, without ores, fuels, precious metals, scrap, raw farm output and one-off capital and defence purchases: the same rule as the Made here pages.

What it does not say

A record of trade, not a shopping list.

What this record does not say: what sells at retail, what margin a trade leaves, how crowded the marketplaces are, or how much of a flow is re-exported through entrepots such as Hong Kong and Singapore.

A large line is not proof of an opening, and a lower unit value from another country is not proof the goods are the same. Tariffs, standards, freight, payment terms, lead times and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. Nothing on this page is a forecast, a recommendation or a promise. No supplier company is named, because the record holds none.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601. Edition of 2026-11-03.

Want to know when this lane moves?

A sourcing alert for South Africa to Botswana is not built yet. If it is built, it would tell you when a line on this lane shifts: a new source country, a share that moves, a unit value that changes sharply. Leave an address and you will hear when it exists, and nothing else.

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