Public transit buses imports in Botswana: data, top suppliers and prices
Botswana imported $13.9 million of public transit buses in 2024 (1.4 thousand tonnes). That is 31% more than in 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
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $13.9M | 1.4K t |
| 2023 | $10.6M | 4.2K t |
| 2022 | $5.2M | 1.3K t |
| 2021 | $6.3M | 2.2K t |
| 2020 | $13.8M | 3.3K t |
| 2019 | $14.6M | 3.6K t |
| 2018 | $13.7M | 3.0K t |
| 2017 | $9.2M | 949 t |
Where Botswana imports public transit buses from
South Africa alone supplied 64% of it. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $9.0M | 64% |
| China | $4.3M | 31% |
| Japan | $628K | 4.5% |
| South Korea | $51K | 0.4% |
| Zimbabwe | $8K | 0.1% |
Product types under HS 8702
| 8702.10 | Diesel buses | 55% |
| 8702.40 | Electric buses | 29% |
| 8702.90 | Buses (other power types) | 15% |
| 8702.20 | Hybrid diesel-electric buses | 0.7% |
| 8702.30 | Hybrid diesel-electric buses (used) | 0.3% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8702.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $10.31 per kg, close to the world average of $11.87.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Public transit buses exports from Botswana
Botswana exported $1.6 million of public transit buses in 2024 (120 tonnes). One buyer market dominates: Zimbabwe accounted for 95% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Zimbabwe grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $1.6M | 95% |
| Mozambique | $48K | 2.9% |
| Zambia | $27K | 1.7% |
Who is behind these numbers in Botswana?
The shipment records behind Botswana public transit buses imports (HS 8702): 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 8702: Vehicles; public transport passenger type.
Common questions
What is the value of public transit buses imported by Botswana?
Botswana imported public transit buses worth $13.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 123rd of 210 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 31% on 2023.
Which countries supply public transit buses to Botswana?
South Africa was the largest supplier with 64% of the value ($9.0 million), followed by China (31%) and Japan (5%). The top three together account for 100%, out of 5 supplier countries in total. South Africa grew fastest among the top ten, up 56% on the year.
What is the average import price of public transit buses per kg?
The average declared import value was about $10.31 per kg in 2024, 13% below the world average of $11.87 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of public transit buses to Botswana changed since 2017?
Imports went from $9.2 million in 2017 to $13.9 million in 2024, an increase of 52%. The peak was 2019 at $14.6 million. Over 8 years the average was $10.9 million a year.
Does Botswana also export public transit buses?
Yes. Botswana exported $1.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Zambia. On balance Botswana is a net importer of this product, by about $12.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for public transit buses?
The HS code for public transit buses is heading 8702. In Botswana the largest six-digit codes were 8702.10 (55% of the value) and 8702.40 (29%).
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.
Same product, other countries
World public transit buses trade: top importers and exporters
Public transit buses product types in Botswana
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