Countries · CD
Congo, Democratic Republic of the: sanctions and trade risk
As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 75 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Congo, Democratic Republic of the.Lists last checked .
Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓
A sanctions programme concerning Congo, Democratic Republic of the is in force — typically an arms embargo or targeted measures against listed persons and entities. Ordinary civilian goods are usually not restricted; arms, related material and listed parties are.
Sources: EU Sanctions Map — DR Congo (9 Dec 2025) · UN Security Council — Sanctions (15 active regimes) (24 Oct 2026) · SECO — Sanktionsverordnungen (index of 28 Swiss regimes) (24 Oct 2026) · reviewed 24 Oct 2026
By sanctions regime
The indicator above is the strictest of these. Which regimes are relevant to a shipment depends on many connections — dispatch country, company location, incorporation, nationality, ownership, banks, goods origin. The check selects them from your inputs in a simplified way; UN measures take effect through each country's implementing law.
| Regime | Indicator | What applies |
|---|---|---|
| UN | Sanctions programme | Arms embargo and listings — implemented by UN member states in their own law. |
| EU | Sanctions programme | UN and EU measures. |
| Switzerland | Sanctions programme | Implements the UN measures. |
| UK | Sanctions programme | Implements the UN measures. |
| US | Sanctions programme | Implements the UN measures. |
On the sanctions lists
75 entries on the official lists name Congo, Democratic Republic of the — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.
| List | Entries | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) | 40 | 40 | — | — |
| Switzerland SECO Consolidated Sanctions List | 11 | 11 | — | — |
| UK Sanctions List (FCDO) | 9 | 9 | — | — |
| UN Security Council Consolidated List | 8 | 8 | — | — |
| EU Consolidated Financial Sanctions List (FSF) | 7 | 7 | — | — |
Latest changes
- United Kingdom · Democratic Republic of the Congo: 2 new designations
· New listings
- Switzerland (SECO) · Congo: 2 new designations
· New listings
- UN Security Council · DRC: 2 new designations
· New listings
Related
Logistics profile
Congo, Democratic Republic of the: logistics and trade
Exporter of raw materials (copper/cobalt), inland transit via the Congo River and the port of Matadi
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.
- Capital
- Kinshasa
- Population
- 109,276,265
- Area
- 2,344,858 km²
- Currency
- Congolese Franc (CDF)
- Continent
- Africa
- Region
- Central Africa
- Economic area
- SADC / COMESA / CEEAC
- Religions
- Christianity
- Access to the sea
- Yes
Transport modes Sea · Road · Rail · Air
- Current situation
- As of June 2026: the conflict in the east continues, M23 controls parts of North and South Kivu (Goma, Bukavu). Port of Matadi remains the main gateway.
- Seasonal conditions
- Rainy seasons (in the north approx. October–May, in the south November–April) can affect roads and river navigation; the water level of the Congo fluctuates seasonally.
Main cargo airports
- Ndjili International AirportFIH
Kinshasa N'djili (FIH/FZAA) is DR Congo's main air freight airport: bonded warehouses, DGDA customs, handling agents and realistic transit expectations.
- Lubumbashi International AirportFBM
Lubumbashi Airport (FBM) is DR Congo's second hub and main air-cargo base for Katanga's copper and cobalt mining, with apron upgrades underway since 2025.
Road corridors
- National Route 1: Matadi–Kinshasa (approx. 355 km)
- Lubumbashi–Kasumbalesa (border with Zambia)
Rail corridors
- Matadi–Kinshasa (SCTP)
- Lubumbashi–Sakania (SNCC, connection to southern Africa)
Inland ports
- Kinshasa
- Kisangani
- Ilebo
Main trade lanes
- DR Congo–China
- DR Congo–Zambia/South Africa
- DR Congo–EU (Belgium)
Customs and import
Customs authority Direction Générale des Douanes et Accises (DGDA)Official website ↗
- Import 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.
- Export customs system
- Export processing also via SYDONIA World and SEGUCE, accompanied by OCC. Mining raw material exports are subject to additional controls and certifications.
- Import VAT
- Standard rate 16 percent on customs value plus duty and incidental costs; reduced rate 1 percent for certain goods; 0 percent on exports. Collected at import by the DGDA.
- Proofs of origin and trade agreements
- Certificate of origin required; preferential rules of origin under COMESA and SADC possible. The DR Congo is an AfCFTA member.
- Restricted and prohibited goods
- Restrictions apply, among others, to weapons, hazardous waste and conflict minerals. Pharmaceuticals and food are subject to OCC conformity control.
Typical import documents
- Commercial invoice (in French)
- Packing list
- Bill of lading / air waybill
- Import licence
- Certificate of origin
- BIVAC pre-shipment inspection
- OCC conformity certificate
Typical export documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading / air waybill
- Export declaration
- Certificate of origin
- OCC certificate
Logistics conditions
- Customs complexity
- High
- Customs delays
- High
- Port congestion
- Medium to high
- Dangerous goods relevance
- Medium to high
- Pharma and cold chain relevance
- Medium
- E-commerce relevance
- Low
Trade
Top import partners
Top export partners
Top import goods
- Machinery
- Vehicles
- Petroleum products
- Food
- Chemicals
Top export goods
- Copper
- Cobalt
- Gold
- Diamonds
- Tin
Typical cargo
- Copper
- Cobalt
- Mining equipment
- Machinery
- Vehicles
- Consumer goods
- Petroleum products
Logistics questions
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.
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.
Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗
Powered by Freight Academy, verified 22 Jun 2026. Logistics information, not a sanctions source.