Pens imports in Botswana: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of pens by Botswana reached $2.1 million in 2024 (152 tonnes). That is close to the 2023 level. 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
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2.1M | 152 t |
| 2023 | $2.1M | 202 t |
| 2022 | $2.1M | 216 t |
| 2021 | $2.3M | 293 t |
| 2020 | $1.7M | 167 t |
| 2019 | $2.1M | 357 t |
| 2018 | $2.5M | 342 t |
| 2017 | $2.1M | 78 t |
Where Botswana imports pens from
South Africa alone supplied 94% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $2.0M | 95% |
| India | $67K | 3.1% |
| China | $50K | 2.4% |
| Namibia | $1K | 0% |
| Sweden | $1K | 0% |
| Turkey | $0K | 0% |
| Germany | $0K | 0% |
| Portugal | $0K | 0% |
| Malaysia | $0K | 0% |
Product types under HS 9608
| 9608.10 | Ballpoint pen | 58% |
| 9608.20 | Marker | 30% |
| 9608.99 | Pen holder | 8.7% |
| 9608.50 | Pen set | 2% |
| 9608.40 | Mechanical pencil | 0.7% |
| 9608.30 | Fountain pen | 0.5% |
| 9608.91 | Pen nib | 0.3% |
| 9608.60 | Pen refill | 0.2% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 9608.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $14.14 per kg, close to the world average of $13.28.
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 pens imports (HS 9608): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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 9608: Pens; ball-point, felt tipped, other porous tipped pens; fountain pens, stylograph pens duplicating stylos, propelling or sliding pencils; parts of the foregoing, excluding those of heading no. 9609.
Common questions
What is the value of pens imported by Botswana?
Botswana imported pens worth $2.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 152 tonnes. That ranks it 128th of 223 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 2% on 2023.
Which countries supply pens to Botswana?
South Africa was the largest supplier with 94% of the value ($2.0 million), followed by India (3%) and China (2%). The top three together account for 100%, out of 9 supplier countries in total. Sweden grew fastest among the top ten, up 252% on the year.
What is the average import price of pens per kg?
The average declared import value was about $14.14 per kg in 2024, 6% above the world average of $13.28 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of pens to Botswana changed since 2017?
Imports went from $2.1 million in 2017 to $2.1 million in 2024, an increase of 4%. The peak was 2018 at $2.5 million. Over 8 years the average was $2.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for pens?
The HS code for pens is heading 9608. In Botswana the largest six-digit codes were 9608.10 (58% of the value) and 9608.20 (30%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; the company-level detail sits in EximDataX, which has a direct customs feed for Botswana. Tell us your product to see it live.
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