# Democratic Republic of the Congo (CD) **Capital:** Kinshasa **Currency:** Congolese Franc (CDF) (CDF) **Population:** 109,276,265 — Older stored figure; source year not documented. **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:** Machinery, Vehicles, Petroleum products, Food, Chemicals **Top Export Goods:** Copper, Cobalt, Gold, Diamonds, Tin **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:** Standard rate 16 percent on customs value plus duty and incidental costs **Customs complexity:** High **Customs system:** Electronic clearance via SYDONIA World (ASYCUDA); advance declarations via the Single Window SEGUCE/GUICE. Pre-shipment inspection by BIVAC (Bureau Veritas) and conformity control by OCC. **Customs authority:** [Direction Générale des Douanes et Accises (DGDA)](https://douane.gouv.cd) ## Logistics & Risk **Logistics role:** Exporter of raw materials (copper/cobalt), inland transit via the Congo River and the port of Matadi **Economic area:** SADC / COMESA / CEEAC **Logistics risk:** High **Dangerous goods relevance:** medium to high **Pharma/cold chain:** medium ## FAQ ### Which port is the main import gateway of the DRC? The Atlantic port of Matadi on the Congo River, about 150 km inland, is the main maritime gateway. Boma (mainly vehicles) and the deepwater port of Banana complement it. ### What is the import VAT rate in the DRC? The standard rate is 16 percent on the customs value plus duty. A reduced rate of 1 percent applies to certain goods; exports are zero-rated. Collected by the DGDA. ### Which customs system does the DRC use? The DGDA uses SYDONIA World (ASYCUDA); pre-declarations run through the SEGUCE/GUICE single window. Pre-shipment inspection by BIVAC and conformity control by the OCC. ### Which documents are required for imports? Commercial invoice (in French), packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, import licence, certificate of origin, BIVAC pre-shipment inspection and OCC conformity certificate. ### Are there sanctions or export controls related to the DRC? A UN arms embargo (Resolution 1533) against non-state armed groups runs until 1 July 2026. The EU and the US imposed sanctions on M23 actors in 2025. ### What is the current security and logistics situation? The east (North and South Kivu, including Goma and Bukavu) is affected by the M23 conflict. The west with Kinshasa and the port of Matadi remains operational but with delay risks. ### What does the DRC mainly export? Mainly mining commodities: copper and cobalt (world leader in cobalt), plus gold, diamonds and tin. The main trading partner is China. ## 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* --- *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)*