Mobile phones imports in Botswana: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, Botswana imported mobile phones worth $30.8 million (86 tonnes). Value rose 3% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
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Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $30.8M | 86 t |
| 2023 | $29.8M | 213 t |
| 2022 | $28.2M | 174 t |
| 2021 | $31.6M | 162 t |
| 2020 | $36.3M | 252 t |
| 2019 | $34.9M | 163 t |
| 2018 | $35.7M | 80 t |
| 2017 | $34.1M | 49 t |
Where Botswana imports mobile phones from
South Africa alone supplied 77% of it. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+81% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $23.7M | 77% |
| Hong Kong | $4.2M | 14% |
| China | $2.5M | 8.1% |
| Namibia | $261K | 0.9% |
| United States | $28K | 0.1% |
| United Kingdom | $27K | 0.1% |
| Zambia | $19K | 0.1% |
| Germany | $15K | 0.1% |
| India | $10K | 0% |
| Netherlands | $7K | 0% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $356.56 per kg, close to the world average of $321.06.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Who is behind these numbers in Botswana?
The shipment records behind Botswana mobile phones imports (HS 8517.12): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 8517.12: Telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks.
Common questions
What is the value of mobile phones imported by Botswana?
Botswana imported mobile phones worth $30.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 86 tonnes. That ranks it 129th of 220 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 3% on 2023.
Which countries supply mobile phones to Botswana?
South Africa was the largest supplier with 77% of the value ($23.7 million), followed by Hong Kong (14%) and China (8%). The top three together account for 99%, out of 17 supplier countries in total. Germany grew fastest among the top ten, up 261% on the year.
What is the average import price of mobile phones per kg?
The average declared import value was about $356.56 per kg in 2024, 11% above the world average of $321.06 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of mobile phones to Botswana changed since 2017?
Imports went from $34.1 million in 2017 to $30.8 million in 2024, a fall of 10%. The peak was 2020 at $36.3 million. Over 8 years the average was $32.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for mobile phones?
The HS code for mobile phones is subheading 8517.12. It sits in HS chapter 85 (electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers; television image and sound recorders and reproducers, parts and accessories of such articles). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8517 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX has a direct customs feed for Botswana, so the importers and exporters behind these totals are visible by name, shipment by shipment. Ask for a live look at your product.
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