Printed books imports in Botswana: data, top suppliers and prices
Botswana imported $3.9 million of printed books in 2024 (553 tonnes). That is 34% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2018, at $8.1 million.
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 | $3.9M | 553 t |
| 2023 | $5.9M | 959 t |
| 2022 | $5.1M | 616 t |
| 2021 | $6.2M | 1.1K t |
| 2020 | $5.4M | 1.1K t |
| 2019 | $7.1M | 2.4K t |
| 2018 | $8.1M | 1.5K t |
| 2017 | $5.4M | 903 t |
Where Botswana imports printed books from
One supplier dominates: South Africa accounted for 74% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $2.9M | 74% |
| United Kingdom | $768K | 20% |
| United States | $68K | 1.7% |
| Germany | $56K | 1.4% |
| China | $45K | 1.2% |
| India | $20K | 0.5% |
| Canada | $9K | 0.2% |
| France | $7K | 0.2% |
| Greece | $5K | 0.1% |
| Turkey | $5K | 0.1% |
Product types under HS 4901
| 4901.99 | Printed matter: books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter n.e.c. in item no. 4901.10 or 4901.91 | 91% |
| 4901.10 | Printed single sheets and leaflets | 6.9% |
| 4901.91 | Printed dictionaries and encyclopaedias | 1.9% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 4901.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $7.05 per kg, 25% below the world average of $9.39, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
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 printed books imports (HS 4901): 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 4901: Printed books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter, whether or not in single sheets.
Common questions
What is the value of printed books imported by Botswana?
Botswana imported printed books worth $3.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 553 tonnes. That ranks it 130th of 225 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 34% on 2023.
Which countries supply printed books to Botswana?
South Africa was the largest supplier with 74% of the value ($2.9 million), followed by the United Kingdom (20%) and the United States (2%). The top three together account for 96%, out of 28 supplier countries in total. Turkey grew fastest among the top ten, up 635% on the year.
What is the average import price of printed books per kg?
The average declared import value was about $7.05 per kg in 2024, 25% below the world average of $9.39 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of printed books to Botswana changed since 2017?
Imports went from $5.4 million in 2017 to $3.9 million in 2024, a fall of 28%. The peak was 2018 at $8.1 million. Over 8 years the average was $5.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for printed books?
The HS code for printed books is heading 4901. In Botswana the largest six-digit codes were 4901.99 (91% of the value) and 4901.10 (7%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Shipment-level records for Botswana reach EximDataX from a direct customs feed, with company names, dates and declared values. We can show them for your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
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