# Democratic Republic of the Congo (CD)

**Capital:** Kinshasa  
**Currency:** Congolese Franc (CDF) (CDF)  
**Population:** 109'276'265  
**Area:** 2'344'858 km²

> The DRC is a commodity-driven market (copper, cobalt) with limited, challenging logistics. The main gateway is the Atlantic port of Matadi, complemented by Boma and the Congo River inland system. Customs runs through DGDA using SYDONIA World and the SEGUCE single window; import VAT is 16 percent. Clearance delays and the conflict in the east call for careful planning.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (ISO Code: CD) is located in Central Africa and shares borders with nine countries, including Angola, the Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, and Zambia. Politically, it is a presidential republic with a highly centralized government. The climate ranges from equatorial in the Congo Basin with high rainfall to tropical southern and savannah-like in the peripheral regions. Economically, the country is rich in resources such as copper, cobalt, diamonds, and coltan, which play a central role in foreign trade. The import of consumer goods, machinery, and food is high, as local production does not meet demand. Logistically, the Port of Matadi and the inland river system of the Congo serve an important transit function to transport goods regionally and internationally. The national currency is the Congolese Franc (CDF), which is used for domestic trade and financial transactions. Despite its natural resources, infrastructure in transport and logistics remains limited, affecting export and supply chains. Investments in ports, roads, and rail networks are crucial to strengthen economic competitiveness. The DRC is regionally significant for resource exports and for supplying neighboring countries.

**Top Import Partners:** CN, ZA, BE, AE, IN

**Top Export Partners:** CN, ZA, IT, BE, ES

**Top Import Goods:** Maschinen, Fahrzeuge, Erdölprodukte, Nahrungsmittel, Chemikalien

**Top Export Goods:** Kupfer, Kobalt, Gold, Diamanten, Zinn

**Key Airports:**
- [Ndjili International Airport (FIH)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/ndjili-international-airport-fih)
- [Bandundu Airport (FDU)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/bandundu-airport-fdu)
- [Bangoka International Airport (FKI)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/bangoka-international-airport-fki)
- [Bukavu Kavumu Airport (BKY)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/bukavu-kavumu-airport-bky)
- [Bunia Airport (BUX)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/bunia-airport-bux)
- [Buta Zega Airport (BZU)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/buta-zega-airport-bzu)
- [Gbadolite Airport (BDT)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/gbadolite-airport-bdt)
- [Gemena Airport (GMA)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/gemena-airport-gma)
- [Goma International Airport (GOM)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/goma-international-airport-gom)
- [Kalemie Airport (FMI)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/kalemie-airport-fmi)

## Customs & Import

**Import VAT:** Standardsatz 16 Prozent auf Zollwert plus Zoll und Nebenkosten  
**Customs complexity:** hoch  
**Customs system:** Elektronische Abfertigung über SYDONIA World (ASYCUDA); Vorabanmeldungen via Single Window SEGUCE/GUICE. Vorversandinspektion durch BIVAC (Bureau Veritas) und Konformitätskontrolle durch OCC.  
**Customs authority:** [Direction Générale des Douanes et Accises (DGDA)](https://douane.gouv.cd)

## Logistics & Risk

**Logistics role:** Rohstoff-Exporteur (Kupfer/Kobalt), Binnenland-Transit über Kongo-Fluss und Hafen Matadi  
**Economic area:** SADC / COMESA / CEEAC  
**Logistics risk:** hoch  
**Dangerous goods relevance:** mittel bis hoch  
**Pharma/cold chain:** mittel

## Sources & Last Verified

- [https://douane.gouv.cd](https://douane.gouv.cd)
- [https://dgi.gouv.cd](https://dgi.gouv.cd)
- [https://dgi.gouv.cd/taxe-sur-la-valeur-ajoutee-tva/](https://dgi.gouv.cd/taxe-sur-la-valeur-ajoutee-tva/)
- [https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/democratic-republic-of-the-congo/corporate/other-taxes](https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/democratic-republic-of-the-congo/corporate/other-taxes)
- [https://www.occ.cd](https://www.occ.cd)
- [https://segucerdc.com](https://segucerdc.com)
- [https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/democratic-republic-congo-customs-regulations](https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/democratic-republic-congo-customs-regulations)
- [https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/sanctions/1533](https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/sanctions/1533)

*Last verified: 2026-06-22*

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*Freight Academy — Country Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/cd](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/cd)*

*Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/cd](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/cd)*