BUREAU VERITAS – Government Services

DATA SHEET
PRE-EXPORT VERIFICATION OF IMPORTS FOR THE
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (DRC)
1. Regulation
Authority:

OCC (Office Congolais de Contrôle) and Ministry of Commerce.

Notification (*):

Ministerial decree No. 003/CAB/MIN.COM.EXT/2017 dd. 03/04/2017 approving thecontract for pre-export Verification of imports into the Democratic Republic of Congo
between OCC and Bureau Veritas BIVAC.
Law 74/014 dd. 10/07/1974 related to Trade
DG/DCI/AKM/ABB/MM/1263/2011 dd. 09/05/2011 detailing OCC quality and labelling
requirements for shipments Verifications.
Exchange regulation of the Central Bank of Congo dd. 28/03/2014

Appointed company(ies):

BUREAU VERITAS BIVAC BV

Scope of the regulation:Pre-export Verification of goods imported into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
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▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪

Assessment based on:

Remark:Verification of product conformity to Congolese and international standards
Export market price (For government information purpose)
Customs Valuation of goods (based on GATT Valuation Code)Documentary review
Control testing when needed
Physical inspection
Risk assessment and Facilitation procedures
Conclusion of the assessment

N/A

2. Products subject
Subjected goods:

All goods (except exempted ones)

Second-hand goods:

Allowed, provided it is described as such in the DIB

Restricted goods

See annex 1

Prohibited goods:

See annex 2Counterfeited goods:

Prohibited

Exempted goods:

See annex 3

Minimum value subject to theprogramme:

USD 2 500 FOB

3. Technical requirement
Conformity requirements:

Products shall meet the requirements of the applicable standards and Technicalregulations of DRC or in absence, the applicable international safety standards (ISO, IEC
for electrical products, Codex Alimentarius for foods…)• Food supplements and Pharmaceuticals are subject to Market Authorization from therelated Authority (ACOREP previously DPM) (Ministerial Decrees 1250/CAB/
SP/MIN/006/CPH/OBF/2015 and 1250/CAB/MIN/SP/011/CPH/OBF/2015 & 20/002).

National deviations:

Markings and Instructions for use: must be at least in French or in English.
Hydroquinone forbidden in Cosmetics
Pharmaceuticals shall have a remaining shelf life on arrival, not less than 2/3 of their total
shelf life.

Labelling requirements:#

Pre-packaged foods: labelling to comply with the CODEX STAND 1-1985, Rev. 11991 of the Codex Alimentarius, Vol. 1A. The following information shall appear on
the label of the retail packaging: i) Name of the food; ii) List of ingredients; iii) Nets
contents and drained weight; iv) Name and address of the manufacturer, packer,
distributor, importer, exporter or vendor; v) Country of origin; vi) Lot identification; vii)
Date marking and storage instructions; viii) Instructions for use.

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Other specific requirements:#

Non-food Pre-packaged manufactured goods: labelling / markings to comply with
provisions of Recommendation R79 from the OIML (International Organisation of
Legal Metrology), unless subject to other specific national laws or regulations.
Labelling / markings on the product or on the packaging shall include the:•Name or brand name of the manufacturer/importer/exporter and related address,•
Identify of the product (generic name, photo or drawing showing the product) if it
is not obvious from the outside of the packaging,•
Quantity of the product.

#

Pharmaceuticals: Individual packages must show:
Name of the product,- Qualitative and Quantitative composition per dose or in percentage,- Name and address of the manufacturer,- If medical samples, the words “Free medical sample, not for resale”,- Batch number,- Pharmaceutical form,- Weight / Volume / Quantity of products- Manufacture and expiry dates,- Storage instructions or handling precautions if any- The warning “Keep out of reach of children” or similar- Directions for use (including route of administration, possible side effects).
The following information shall be declared on each ampoule: Product name, Quantityof active principle, Ampoule volume, Route of administration, Expiry date and Batch
Number (Ministerial decree no. 1250/CAB/MIN/SP/011/CPH/OBF/20-15 dd.
28/092015).

#

Toothpaste: individual packages must show i) Name of the product as ‘Pâte
dentifrice’ or its equivalent; ii) Trademark; iii) Name and address of the manufacturer
or authorized distributor; iv) Batch number; iv) List of ingredients; v) Net volume inmillimetres and/or Net weight in grams; vi) Expiry date where the shelf-life is 30
months and less.

#Tobacco products: The tar and the nicotine contents shall be declared on the label,
as well as the following health warning: "Smoking is dangerous for health" (Fumer est
préjudiciable à la santé"),#Alcoholic beverages: theshall be declared on the label.

#

Salt intended for human consumption must be iodised in the following proportion at
production level: at least 40 ppm of iodine or 66 mg/Kg of potassium iodate(Interministerial Decree n° CAB/MIN/ECO/ICPME/SP/APE/2003 dd. 16/05/2003).
Iodine content shall be confirmed by a certificate of analysis. Potassium iodate (KIO3)
to be used mandatorily as component for the iodization of salt.

#

Dried and salted fish should comply with the following specifications in pursuance ofPresidential Decree n° 86/121 dd. 18/04/1986. A chemical analysis certificate shall be
supplied to confirm the humidity, TVBN and Moisture contents.
▪
Low fat fish:
Humidity <= 35%;
Total Volatile Basic Nitrogen (TVBN) <= 100 mg %Absence of mould▪

▪

content

inFatty fish:
Humidity <= 40%
Total Volatile Basic Nitrogen (TVBN) <= 100 mg %Absence of mould
Selachian fish:
Humidity <= 30%
Total Volatile Basic Nitrogen (TVBN) <= 500 mg %Absence of mould

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alcohol

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volumeor percentage

– DATA SHEET –BUREAU VERITAS
Other specific requirements(Cont.):#

Cosmetics must be free from hydroquinone (Interministerial Decree
no. 004/CAB/MIN/IND/2007 and no. 1250/CAB/MIN/SP/011/JT/2007 dd. 31st July2007). The list of ingredients shall be declared on the individual package.

#

All import of chemicals or biological products must be accompanied by its
corresponding Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).

#

Automotive vehicles must observe the legal requirements of safety, manufacture androadworthiness. They must enter the customs territory of the Democratic Republic ofCongo with the documents proving ownership and age of the vehicle.

4. Price verification/Seller’s invoice requirement
Buying/Confirming
Commissions:

No restriction. Must be declared whenever applicable.

Insurance:

Import cargo insurance shall be paid to insurance company based in DRC.

Financial interest:

No restriction.

Final invoice to show:

Breakdown of FOB, freight and insurance charges (where applicable).In case ofmultimodal transportation, breakdown of main carriage (Air or Maritime freight) and Road
transport (breakdown of transportation charges outside and inside DRC, if any).
By line item: detailed product description, including product name, trademark, model andcharacteristics (where applicable), origin and expiry date of products commonly tradedwith expiry dates.

5. Application
Applicant:

Importers

Application name:

DIB (Déclaration d’Importation des Biens).

Issued by:

Banque Centrale du Congo (all commercial banks must register DIBs via the Single
Window platform).

Validity (*):

360 days , renewable once for 6 months.

Amount by which theapplication value/quantity may
be exceeded:

No tolerance. Whenever the DIB FOB value/Quantity is exceeded, an ARA is delivered tothe importer to apply for an amendment to his bank.

Changes from sea to air:With the importer's agreement. An amendment of the DIB is required if the change oftransport mode takes place from the very first shipment.

Required documents:✓ Final invoice, Packing List and transport documents (BL/AWB plus any other specificdocuments that may be requested from exporters for specific goods: Sanitarycertificate, Analysis certificate, Certificate of origin, vehicle papers (Police declaration,
Registration Card etc. as the case may be) for motor vehicles, proving ownership andage of the vehicle. Exporter’s declaration for chemicals, confirming that exported
chemicals do not contain any of the hazardous substances prohibited to importation.
✓ For road shipments, Consignment Note is not required.
✓ Conformity documents (test reports, certificates, reports of analysis) confirming
compliance to the applicable standards, Marketing Authorization for
Pharmaceuticals…
✓ Acceptance letter from the importer if necessary.
✓ If any: Certificate of the Quality Management System of the exporter / manufacturerof the goods. Such as ISO 9001, ISO 22000 for food products, IATF 16949 for vehicle
parts, ISO 13485 for medical devices, GMP/GDP for pharmaceuticals…

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– DATA SHEET –BUREAU VERITAS
Required information:
Application office(s):••Declared FOB value
Declared HS codes

Application to be lodged by the importer through the GUICE (Single Window platform).

6. Control testing requirements
Applicable cases:

Conformity document not available or not acceptable

Laboratory criteria:

ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory, In-house laboratory of certified Manufacturer (after
specific assessment)

Testing:

According to the applicable standard

7. Physical inspection requirements
Scope of inspection:

Review of markings as per applicable standard(s) and identification of products

Destination inspection:

Not allowed (currently performed only by the Office de Contrôle Congolais – OCC, but
without issuance of a Verification certificate).

Witness of loading:

Mandatory

Seal of container (*):

Mandatory for Full Container Load (FCLs)

Mandatory for consolidated FCLs of the same consignee and same exporter,
inspected at the place of consolidation
Sampling:

In case of control testing (see section 6 as above)

Validity:

Inspection Report validity from inspection date is for 90 days unless earlier expiry orotherwise specified in the applicable standard/regulation

Type of report issued:

Inspection report (IR)

8. Facilitation procedures••

Registration
Licensing opened to manufacturers and their official distributors only

9. Conclusion of the Assessment
AV (Attestation de Vérification) or ARA (Avis de Refus d’Attestation), certified invoice.
• A certified invoice is given to seller/exporter for payment purposes upon his request.
• An AV is delivered to the importer or his representative (if authorized) and transmitted to OCC through the Single
Window of International Trade platform, for the clearance of goods.
• An ARA is delivered to the importer or his representative (if authorized) and transmitted to OCC through the Single
Window of International Trade platform, for further process. Consignments with an ARA and non-conform products
shall not be shipped to DRC.

The ARA is issued after 30 days following the date of inspection in case of:i) Unsolved quality/quantity discrepanciesii) Required final documentation not delivered by the exporteriii) DIB quantity and/or FOB value is exceeded.
And when:i)

A non-conformity is detected and not corrected

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– DATA SHEET –BUREAU VERITASii) Exporter/importer did not allow the application of the full Verification processiii) Fraudulent practice has been detected (use of fake documents, Counterfeits)

10. Fees
Paid by the IMPORTER to the bank. Payment to BUREAU VERITAS BIVAC BV ordered by OCC.
Nevertheless, Bureau Veritas BIVAC may invoice the Seller in the event of supplementary inspection visits (in vain or
unsatisfactory results) and for any additional assessment such as Control testing and audits that may be needed. The costs
incurred by the Seller in presenting the goods for inspection, such as unpacking, handling, testing, sampling, repacking... arefor the account of the Seller.
For additional information, the importer shall refer to the Liaison Office in Kinshasa and its province offices in DRC.

11. Contact
Bureau de Liaison à Kinshasa:
130 B Avenue Kwango
La Gombe
KINSHASA
Tel: (243) 99 00 36 910
bivac.kinshasa@bureauveritas.com
See contact sheet for details

12. Other relevant information
Additional details available on Verigates (https://verigates.bureauveritas.com/programmes/dr-congo)(*) Updates
The information contained herein is for the purpose of facilitating Pre-Export Verification and does not relieve Exporters or Importers from their
obligations in respect of compliance with the import regulations of the country of importation. Although every effort has been made to ensure
the correctness of the information, as at the date of issuance of this data sheet, Bureau Veritas does not accept any responsibility for errors
or omissions and, furthermore, the information may subsequently be subject to change as may be announced by the Authorities in the countryof importation. Consequently, Exporters are advised to check with Bureau Veritas, prior to shipment of the goods, if there is any doubt
concerning the issuance of a Certificate.

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Annex 1: List of restricted goods
Items submitted to authorization:• Coins;• Commemorative coins;• Bank notes;• Second-hand materials intended for investment;• Weapons, ammunitions;• Insecticides, fungicides, biocides, fertilizers and herbicides (with the exception of those listed in Annex 2);• Plastic bags, sacs and films; Plastic bottles and containers for foods or pharmaceuticals;• Import of cigarettes / cigars subject to prior authorization by the Ministry of Health, Hygiene and Prevention.

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Annex 2: List of prohibited goods•

Frozen tilapias and alevins originated from Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, Israel and Thailand following outbreaks ofTilapia Lake Virus (TiLV) in those countries (Ministerial Order n°001/CAB/MINETAT-COM.EXT/2017 dated August 12th2017 from the Ministry of Foreign Trade)•

Poultry meat and by-products of poultry origin from Uganda following outbreaks of bird flu disease on wild anddomestic poultry in the region of the Victoria lake at Wakiso (official communiqué No. 002/CAB/MIN-COM.EXT/2017
dated 13/03/2017 from the Ministry of ForeignTrade)•

Products listed in the Ministerial Decree 033 CAB/MINETET-COMEXT/2018 dated Feb 27, 2018 amending
022/CAB/MIN.COMPME/2011) such as:✓ Counterfeits,✓ Alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content exceeding 45%,
✓ Hazardous waste,✓ All foodstuff and beverages containing saccharin,✓ Pornographic media and related products,✓ Used vehicles of more than 20 years expect motorcycles, heavy vehicles equipped with 4x4, 6X6,8X8 power driven,
agricultural tractor, trailers, semi-trailers and lightweight trailers, tramways, civil engineering machines & SanitaryEngineering Equipment,✓ Non-iodized Salt (table salt),✓ Drugs,✓ Imitation weapons similar to weapons used by the Defense and Security departments,✓ GMO Seeds,✓ Substandard, expired products,✓ DDT pesticide (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, C14H9Cl5)✓ Recalled products (pharmaceuticals, Chemicals…)•

Colza oil and its fractions (Order no.23-97/CAB/MIN/FIN/95 dd. July 1995 from the Ministry of Finance)•

Foodstuff originated from Japan, following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan on March 11, 2011, causing radiation
contamination
intheregionsofFukushima,
Ibaraki,Tochigi
and
Gunma(Official
Communiqué dd. 13/4/2011 from the ministry of Commerce)•

Cosmetics containinghydroquinone(Interministerial
1250/CAB/MIN/SP/011/JT/2007 dd. 31st July 2007)•

Television sets not conforming the DVB-T2 standard for the Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting and theMPEG4 standard for video encoding (Interministerial Decree No. 002/TNT/CAB/MCM/LMO/2015 dd. 25/04/2015 from
the Ministry of Postal Services, Telecommunication, Information and Communication New Technology and the Ministryof Communication and Media)•

Poultry meat of animals slaughtered between 1st May 2015 and 30th June 2015 and originated from the Provinces of
Kastamonu, Balikezir and Manisa in Turkey (official communiqué No. 003/CAB/MIN-COM/2015 dated 06/07/2015 from
the Ministry of Trade)•

Following medicines are prohibited for importation (Ministerial decree No. 1250/CAB/MIN/SPHP/010/CJ/OBK/2024 of
May 6, 2024)

DecreeMedecines ( INN+DOSAGE FORMS)
Amoxicillin capsuleAmoxicillin powder for oral suspension
Azithromycin tablet
Azithromycin powder for oral suspension
Ciprofloxacin capsule
Clindamycin capsule
Cloxacillin capsule
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no.

004/CAB/MIN/IND/2007

and

no.

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Medecines ( INN+DOSAGE FORMS)
Cotrimoxazole (sulfamethoxazole+trimethoprim) tablet
Cotrimoxazole (sulfamethoxazole+trimethoprim) oral suspension
Doxycycline capsule
Erythromycin tablet
Erythromycin powder for oral suspension
Griseofulvin tablet
Metronidazole tablet
Metronidazole oral suspension
Multi micronutrients for children powder for oral suspension 1 gr
Multivitamin syrup
Papaverine tablet
Paracetamol tablet
Paracetamol+Ibuprofen+caffeine capsule
Phenoxymethylpenicillin potassium tablet
Promethazine syrup
Quinine tablet
Quinine oral drops
Quinine syrup
Massive solutes (Dextrose, mixed saline serum, ringer lactate serum and saline serum)
Tetracycline capsule
Tramadol capsule
Vitamin B1, B6 & B12 isolated or in combination tablet
Vitamin B1, B6 & B12 isolated or in combination syrup
Vitamin C syrup•

The following hazardous chemicals and pesticides (Letter No. 5011/1497/SG/AGRI.PEL/2014 dd. 08/11/2014 from theministry of Agriculture and Rural Environment), listed in Annex III of the Rotterdam Convention:

ChemicalHS codePure substance

Alachlor
Aldicarb
Endosulfan
2,4,5-T and its salts and esters
AldrinBinapacryl
Captafol
Chlordane
Chlordimeform
Chlorobenzilate
DDT
Dieldrin
Dinitro-ortho-cresol (DNOC) and its salts

2924.292930.902920.902918.912903.522916.192930.50
2903.522925.212918.182903.622910.402908.99

Dinoseb and its salts and esters
1,2-dibromoethane (EDB)
Ethylene dichloride

2908.912903.312903.15

HS codeMixtures, preparations
containing substance

3808.50
3808.50
3808.50
3808.50
3808.50
3808.50
3808.50
3808.50
3808.50
3808.913808.92
3808.933808.50
3808.50
3808.50

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Category
ChemicalChemicalChemicalPesticide
Pesticide
Pesticide
Pesticide
Pesticide
Pesticide
Pesticide
Pesticide
Pesticide
Pesticide

Pesticide
Pesticide
Pesticide– DATA SHEET –BUREAU VERITAS•

ChemicalHS codePure substance

Ethylene oxide2910.10

Fluoroacetamide
HCH (mixed isomers)
Heptachlor
Hexachlorobenzene
LindaneMercury compounds
Monocrotophos
Parathion
Pentachlorophenol and its salts and esters

2924.122903.51
2903.52
2903.622903.512852.00
2924.122920.112908.112908.19

HS codeMixtures, preparations
containing substance

Toxaphene
Tributyltin oxide
Tributyltin fluoride
Tributyltin methacrylate
Tributyltin benzoate
Tributyltin chloride
Tributyltin linoleate
Tributyltin naphthenate
Methamidophos

2931.00
2931.00
2931.00
2931.00
2931.00
2931.00
2931.00
2930.50

3808.503824.813808.50
3808.50
3808.50
3808.50
3808.50
3808.50
3808.50
3808.50
3808.50
3808.913808.92
3808.933808.943808.993808.50
3808.993808.993808.993808.993808.993808.993808.993808.50

Methyl-parathion

2920.113808.50

Phosphamidon

2924.123808.50

Benomyl at or above 7 %3808.92

Carbofuran at or above 10 %3808.92

Thiram at or above 15 %3808.92

Category
pesticide
Pesticide
Pesticide
Pesticide
Pesticide
Pesticide
Pesticide
Pesticide
Pesticide
Pesticide

Pesticide
Pesticide
Pesticide
Pesticide
Pesticide
Pesticide
Pesticide
Pesticide
Severely hazardous
pesticides formulation
Severely hazardous
pesticides formulation
Severely hazardous
pesticides formulation
Severely hazardous
pesticides formulation
Severely hazardous
pesticides formulation
Severely hazardous
pesticides formulation

The following phytosanitary products that are harmful to health and environment:
ChemicalHS codeCategory

Dicofol
Brodaficoum
Coumachlor
Diazinon

2906.29

Pesticide
Pesticide
Pesticide
Insecticide

Dichlorvos
Carbendazim
Chlorothalonil
Malathion
Naphtalene
Paraquat

2919.902933.59

2933.39

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Insecticide
Fungicide
Fungicide
Insecticide
Special Health Hazard substance
Herbicide– DATA SHEET –BUREAU VERITAS

Annex 3: List of exempted goods
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Imports with a FOB value below USD 2 500;
Weapons, ammunitions imported by the Administration;
Live animals;
Fresh eggs;
Fresh or refrigerated (temperature is reduced to around 0°C, without being frozen) fruits, vegetables, fish and meat.
Current newspapers and periodicals;
Re-imports without modification;
Personal effects and moves, including motorised vehicles imported by residents returning to their country;
Post parcels without commercial value;
Commercial samples;
Donations by foreign governments or international organizations to foundations, charities and humanitarianorganizations declared of Public Utility;
Personal gifts;
Donations by foreign governments or international organizations or private persons in case of disaster;Gifts and supplies imported by diplomatic entities, by United Nations entities or other NGOs having customs taxes
exemptions, for their own use.
Goods purchased with donations and external resources, including loans.

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