The DRC's customs are administered by the Direction Générale des Douanes et Accises (DGDA) through SEGUCE, the Single Window for Foreign Trade. Commercial imports above US$2,500 require pre-shipment inspection by Bureau Veritas (BIVAC) at the exporting port. Maritime shipments additionally require FERI (Fiche Électronique des Renseignements à l'Importation) and ECTN (Electronic Cargo Tracking Note) before vessel departure.
The Office Congolais de Contrôle (OCC) administers quality inspections for regulated categories. All documentation must be in French.
IOR Service operates as your registered Importer of Record (IOR) and Exporter of Record (EOR) in the DRC. Our Kinshasa team coordinates BIVAC inspection at origin, files FERI and ECTN before vessel departure, manages French-language DGDA declarations through SEGUCE, coordinates OCC certification, and pays duties and 16% VAT in USD as the legal party of record.
DRC compliance combines BIVAC pre-shipment inspection at origin, dual maritime documentation (FERI and ECTN) before vessel departure, multi-agency clearance through DGDA and OCC, French-language documentation, and USD payment management in a constrained foreign exchange environment.
Foreign companies shipping into the DRC without an in-country compliance partner face BIVAC inspection failure, FERI/ECTN gaps causing Matadi Port detention, OCC certification refusal, or forex payment delays.
Local entity and DGDA registration requirement: Only a DRC-registered party may file customs declarations through SEGUCE. Foreign companies cannot self-clear.
BIVAC pre-shipment inspection (>US$2,500): Bureau Veritas, the government-contracted pre-shipment inspector, must inspect all commercial imports valued above US$2,500 at the exporting country's port before loading. The Certificate of Inspection is required by DGDA before clearance can proceed.
FERI and ECTN for maritime shipments: The FERI (electronic cargo pre-declaration) and ECTN (Electronic Cargo Tracking Note) are two separate mandatory documents for all sea freight to the DRC. Both must be filed before the vessel departs origin, with identical cargo data. Any discrepancy triggers detention at Matadi Port.
Multi-agency clearance (DGDA, OCC, BIVAC): Three regulatory bodies must be coordinated simultaneously, not sequentially. DGDA handles declarations and duty collection; OCC handles in-country quality inspection; BIVAC handles origin-port inspection.
French-language documentation: All customs declarations, invoices, packing lists, and supporting documents must be in French. The DGDA, OCC, and SEGUCE platforms operate in French.
USD forex management: The DRC operates in Congolese Francs, but commercial trade is USD-dominated. Forex access for duty and VAT payments is constrained for companies without established local financial infrastructure.
EAC accession (2022): The DRC joined the East African Community in 2022. EAC-origin goods may qualify for preferential rates with proper EAC Certificate of Origin documentation, but the implementation framework continues to evolve.
Country disambiguation risk: The DRC and the Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) are separate sovereign states with different customs systems. Documentation prepared for one cannot be used for the other.
As your registered IOR in the DRC, IOR Service manages the full compliance stack from pre-shipment review through delivery, under a single engagement.
Pre-shipment compliance review: HS classification under the DRC tariff schedule, restricted-item check, BIVAC inspection scope confirmation, OCC certification pathway determination, FERI/ECTN scope for maritime shipments, French translation readiness, and dual-use screening before goods leave origin.
BIVAC inspection coordination at origin: Notification to Bureau Veritas at the exporting country's port, inspection scheduling, on-site coordination during the physical inspection (quality, quantity, HS classification, value verification), and procurement of the Certificate of Inspection upon successful BIVAC pass.
FERI and ECTN management: FERI filing through the authorized portal and ECTN issuance through the DRC-authorised cargo tracking agent for all maritime shipments, with data alignment verified before vessel departure.
DGDA declarations through SEGUCE: Customs entry preparation and filing through the Single Window for Foreign Trade in French, commercial invoice review, certificate of origin verification (with EAC preferential documentation where applicable), packing list alignment, and DGDA customs entry coordination.
Duties and VAT handling in USD: We pay applicable customs duty (DRC tariffs generally range from 0 to 30 percent depending on HS classification), 16% VAT on CIF value, and customs fees in USD from our DRC account as the registered importer. Costs are billed transparently to the client, with full landed cost calculation provided before goods ship. USD forex infrastructure overcomes the payment delays affecting companies without local financial relationships.
OCC coordination and customs release: Office Congolais de Contrôle interface for quality inspection and certification, DGDA query response, and post-clearance audit management at N'Djili International Airport (Kinshasa), Lubumbashi Airport, and Matadi Port.
For re-exports, equipment returns, and outbound shipments leaving the DRC, IOR Service operates as your registered Exporter of Record under a single engagement.
Pre-export compliance review: HS classification, restricted-item screening, destination market assessment, and export license pathway determination before goods leave DRC territory.
Export documentation: Commercial invoice review in French; certificate of origin preparation (with EAC, COMESA, and AfCFTA preference where applicable); packing list alignment; export permit coordination where required; and DGDA export declaration filing through SEGUCE.
ECTN export documentation: Electronic Cargo Tracking Note for outbound maritime cargo from the Port of Matadi.
Carrier and broker coordination: Interface with carrier, customs broker, and DGDA for departure clearance from Matadi Port (sea freight), N'Djili International Airport (Kinshasa air freight), or Lubumbashi Airport (mining sector air freight). Query response and post-departure documentation.
Recordkeeping and shipment updates: Export declarations, license records, and shipping documents retained per DGDA retention requirements. Status updates per shipment milestone.
Mining sector reverse logistics: Equipment repatriation from extraction sites in Katanga Province, the Copperbelt (Lubumbashi), and eastern DRC mineral zones, including RMA and returned-equipment handling.
The Direction Générale des Douanes et Accises (DGDA) administers all import and export declarations through SEGUCE (Guichet Unique du Commerce Extérieur), the DRC's Single Window for Foreign Trade. Customs entries are filed electronically in French. Only a DRC-registered party may access SEGUCE.
Bureau Veritas (BIVAC) is the DRC government-contracted pre-shipment inspection body. Inspection is mandatory at the exporting country's port for all commercial imports valued above US$2,500. Inspection covers quality, quantity, HS classification, and value verification. The Certificate of Inspection cannot be obtained on arrival.
The FERI (Fiche Électronique des Renseignements à l'Importation) is the electronic cargo pre-declaration required for all maritime shipments to the DRC, filed before vessel departure. The ECTN (Electronic Cargo Tracking Note) is the electronic tracking document required separately for all DRC-bound sea freight. Both must be filed before departure with identical cargo data.
The OCC handles in-country quality inspection and product certification for regulated categories (electronics, medical devices, industrial equipment, food products). OCC certification is operationally distinct from BIVAC pre-shipment inspection and DGDA customs clearance.
The Congolese Franc (CDF) is the official currency, but commercial trade operates predominantly in USD. Foreign exchange access for duty and VAT payments is constrained for companies without local financial infrastructure.
The DRC joined the East African Community in 2022. Goods originating in EAC member states (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan) may qualify for preferential duty rates with EAC Certificate of Origin documentation. COMESA preferential access also applies. The DRC operates under the OHADA legal framework for commercial law.
All DGDA and OCC documentation must be in French. SEGUCE operates in French.
The DRC applies its tariff schedule based on the Harmonized System. Customs duty is calculated on the CIF value. VAT applies to CIF plus duty.
VAT is 16% on the CIF value plus customs duty. Customs duty rates generally range from 0% to 30% depending on HS classification. Duties and VAT are payable in USD.
Commercial invoice (in French, with HS codes, CIF breakdown, and detailed product descriptions)
Packing list (in French, with weights and dimensions)
Bill of lading or airway bill (Bill of Lading for Matadi Port sea freight; AWB for N'Djili or Lubumbashi air freight)
Certificate of origin (with EAC preferential documentation where applicable post-2022 accession)
BIVAC Certificate of Inspection (mandatory for imports valued above US$2,500)
FERI (Fiche Électronique des Renseignements à l'Importation), for maritime shipments only
ECTN (Electronic Cargo Tracking Note), for maritime shipments only
DGDA import declaration filed through SEGUCE (handled by IOR Service)
OCC certificate (for regulated product categories)
Import license (for controlled categories: pharmaceuticals, drones, certain chemicals)
Technical datasheets and product specifications
Insurance certificate (where applicable)
Classify equipment under the DRC tariff schedule; identify regulated categories; confirm the BIVAC inspection scope, OCC certification requirements, and FERI/ECTN scope for maritime shipments.
Bureau Veritas notified at the exporting country's port, inspection scheduled and conducted before loading, Certificate of Inspection issued upon successful pass.
Both documents were filed before vessel departure with identical cargo data. Air freight to N'Djili or Lubumbashi skips this step.
Commercial invoice review with French translation, certificate of origin verification (with EAC preference where applicable), OCC certification arrangement, sector permit compilation.
SEGUCE submission through DGDA in French; query response; inspection coordination at Matadi Port, N'Djili Airport, or Lubumbashi Airport; release.
Paid by the IOR Service, as the registered importer, through DRC financial infrastructure, then billed transparently.
Delivery to consignee in Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, or remote project sites in Katanga Province or eastern DRC; documentation retained for DGDA audit.
BIVAC inspection skipped at origin: Goods shipped without BIVAC inspection cannot clear DGDA customs. Inspection must happen before cargo departs, not on arrival in the DRC.
FERI/ECTN missing or data-inconsistent: Maritime shipments without both FERI and ECTN, or with mismatched data between the two documents, face detention at Matadi Port. Both must be filed before vessel departure.
Country confusion (DRC vs Congo-Brazzaville): Documentation prepared for the Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) cannot be used for the Democratic Republic of Congo. The two countries operate entirely separate customs systems.
HS misclassification under the DRC tariff: DGDA scrutinizes HS codes and CIF valuations through SEGUCE. Misclassification triggers reassessment and inspection escalation.
Documentation in English only without French translation: Commercial invoices, packing lists, and declarations in English without French support trigger DGDA queries and clearance delays.
OCC certification gaps on regulated categories: Electronics, medical devices, and industrial equipment are pending OCC quality inspection. Coordination must happen pre-shipment.
USD forex payment delays: Companies without local DRC financial infrastructure face delays in duty and VAT payments. The constrained forex environment is a real operational risk for non-resident importers.
Used or refurbished IT equipment: Selected used categories are subject to import restrictions under DRC e-waste rules. Pre-shipment scope confirmation is essential.
Tell us the origin, destination, equipment scope, value (to determine BIVAC threshold applicability), transport mode (air or sea, which determines FERI/ECTN requirements), Incoterm, and project timeline. Our compliance team returns a full HS, BIVAC, FERI/ECTN, OCC, and USD landed cost assessment, customs documentation framework, and quote.
Available on request
Shared after initial assessment.25+ Years of International Trade & Compliance Leadership
Backed by decades of experience in global trade, IOR Service delivers the compliance frameworks, regulatory oversight, and market-entry expertise required for successful international operations. From highly regulated industries to complex cross-border projects, we help organizations move forward with certainty.BIVAC (Bureau Veritas) is the DRC government-contracted pre-shipment inspection body. Pre-shipment inspection is mandatory for all commercial imports valued above US$2,500. The inspection takes place at the exporting country's port before goods are loaded, not on arrival. Upon successful inspection, BIVAC issues a Certificate of Inspection required by DGDA for clearance. IOR Service coordinates BIVAC scheduling at origin as the first step of every DRC engagement above the threshold value.
The FERI (Fiche Électronique des Renseignements à l'Importation) is the electronic cargo pre-declaration required for all maritime shipments to the DRC, filed before vessel departure. The ECTN (Electronic Cargo Tracking Note) is a separate electronic tracking document, also required for all DRC-bound sea freight before departure. Both must reference identical cargo data; a discrepancy results in detention at Matadi Port. IOR Service manages both. Air freight to N'Djili or Lubumbashi requires BIVAC but not FERI/ECTN.
No. DGDA requires all commercial importers to be locally registered DRC entities. Foreign companies cannot access SEGUCE (the Single Window for Foreign Trade) for customs pre-clearance independently. IOR Service acts as your locally registered IOR, managing all DGDA declarations in French, OCC quality inspection, BIVAC pre-shipment coordination, FERI/ECTN documentation, and USD duty payments on your behalf.
At minimum: commercial invoice in French, packing list in French, bill of lading or airway bill, certificate of origin (with EAC preferential documentation where applicable), BIVAC Certificate of Inspection for imports above US$2,500, FERI and ECTN for maritime shipments, DGDA import declaration via SEGUCE, OCC certificate for regulated categories, and any sector-specific import licenses. All DGDA documentation must be in French.
The DRC applies import duties of up to 30 percent depending on HS classification. VAT of 16% is applied on CIF (Cost + Insurance + Freight) value. Duties and VAT are payable in USD. IT equipment rates depend on specific HS code classification. IOR Service provides exact duty calculation per shipment based on current DRC tariff schedules, including BIVAC inspection fees, FERI/ECTN costs, and customs charges, before goods ship.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC, capital Kinshasa) and the Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville, capital Brazzaville) are separate sovereign states with different customs authorities, regulatory frameworks, and compliance requirements. The DRC operates DGDA, BIVAC, FERI/ECTN, and OCC. Congo-Brazzaville operates a different customs system. Documentation prepared for one cannot be used for the other. This page covers the DRC exclusively.
Yes. Under DDP terms, IOR Service acts as the named importer, coordinates BIVAC pre-shipment inspection at origin, files FERI and ECTN for maritime cargo, files DGDA declarations through SEGUCE in French, manages OCC certification, pays all duties (up to 30%), 16% VAT, and customs fees in USD, and delivers cleared goods to the consignee in Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, or remote project sites. Your company appears nowhere in the DRC customs record.
Yes. IOR Service operates as registered Exporter of Record for outbound shipments, managing French-language DGDA export declarations through SEGUCE, ECTN export documentation for maritime cargo from Matadi Port, EAC and COMESA preference origin certification where applicable, and reverse logistics for mining and project equipment from Katanga Province and eastern DRC.
