Marine Forwarding

Country guide

Shipping between the US and Botswana

Africa

In 2025 the United States exported $63.5 million of goods to Botswana and imported $228.6 million from there. Botswana ranked 164th among US export markets and 112th among sources of US imports.

US exports, 2025
$63.5MDown 39.1% on 2024 ($104.3 million)
US imports, 2025
$228.6MDown 43.6% on 2024 ($405.1 million)
Goods balance
$165.1MUS deficit
Export market rank
164thAmong destinations of US goods
Import source rank
112thAmong sources of US imports

Top goods each way

The five largest Harmonized System chapters by value in 2025, with each chapter's share of the total.

US exports to Botswana

Aircraft and spacecraft (chapter 88) led US exports to Botswana at $24.4 million, 38% of the total. The top three chapters made up 77%.

  1. 88Aircraft and spacecraft$24.4 million38.3%
  2. 98Special classification provisions$16.6 million26.1%
  3. 71Precious stones, metals and jewelry$8.0 million12.6%
  4. 85Electrical machinery and equipment$7.0 million11.0%
  5. 90Optical, medical and precision instruments$2.3 million3.6%

US imports from Botswana

Precious stones, metals and jewelry (chapter 71) led US imports from Botswana at $212.1 million, 93% of the total. The top three chapters made up 99%.

  1. 71Precious stones, metals and jewelry$212.1 million92.8%
  2. 98Special classification provisions$14.4 million6.3%
  3. 85Electrical machinery and equipment$518 thousand0.2%
  4. 99Special import reporting provisions$381 thousand0.2%
  5. 84Machinery and mechanical appliances$313 thousand0.1%

Trade terms

The United States has no free trade agreement in force with Botswana, according to the US Trade Representative. Check the duty rate for your goods before you ship.

The International Trade Administration covers the import rules and documents Botswana requires in its Country Commercial Guide.

Through Norfolk-Newport News

The Census Bureau records trade by the US port it passes through. These are its 2025 figures for Norfolk-Newport News, Virginia, for trade with Botswana.

Exports through the port, 2025
$353K0.6% of the US total with Botswana
Leading export goods
Special classification provisionsHS chapter 98, $324 thousand

Trade through Norfolk-Newport News

Getting cargo to Botswana

Botswana is landlocked. Ocean cargo for Botswana discharges at a seaport in a neighboring country and moves on by road or rail.

Sources

  • US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
  • Trade agreements: Office of the US Trade Representative, free trade agreements, checked November 3, 2026.
  • Import requirements: International Trade Administration, Country Commercial Guides, checked November 3, 2026.
  • Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.