Africa
Container Shipping from the UK to Democratic Republic of Congo
Matadi and Boma sit up the Congo River, reached by feeder after transshipment — the river passage, not the ocean leg, is what shapes this lane.
Container shipping from the UK to Democratic Republic of Congo runs full container load to Matadi (CDMAT) and Boma (CDBOA). There is no scheduled less than container load service to Democratic Republic of Congo at present. Sea transit is 21–27 days port to port and air freight 2–4 days. We collect from any UK address and handle UK export clearance; customs charges in Democratic Republic of Congo are not included.
Where we ship
Ports in Democratic Republic of Congo
Full container load and groupage both go to Matadi and Boma. Select a port for its location, code and indicative transit.
- UK door
- UK port
- Matadi or Boma
Packed and sealed at your premises, then straight to the port — usually Southampton.
Less than container load
There is no scheduled groupage service to Democratic Republic of Congo at present. Smaller consignments are quoted case by case — tell us the volume and we will say honestly which option is cheaper.
The FCL and LCL availability shown here is illustrative while we finish confirming our service map. Ask us and we will confirm what runs on this lane before you commit to anything.
Get a price for Democratic Republic of Congo
The three modes are quoted separately — they are priced on different things entirely: a container, a cubic metre and a kilo.
Indicative pricing
Starting points for sea freight from the UK, not port-specific figures — the rate for your shipment depends on the arrival port, the sailing and the commodity. Customs charges, duty and taxes in Democratic Republic of Congo are payable there and are not included.
Rates for Democratic Republic of Congo are quoted per shipment rather than published — request a quote and we will come back with a firm figure for your route.
What can you ship to Democratic Republic of Congo?
Mining equipment and spares, construction materials, food commodities, vehicles and heavy plant move through Matadi and Boma.
Cargo needs to be palletised, shrink-wrapped and labelled with the consignee, because groupage is handled several times between your loading bay and the delivery address. Anything containing lithium batteries, aerosols, paints, solvents or compressed gas needs declaring at booking — it usually still travels, it just changes the packing and the paperwork rather than simply the price.
What tax and duty applies on import into Democratic Republic of Congo?
Democratic Republic of Congo charges TVA at a standard rate of 16%, charged on the customs value plus duty. Customs duty is separate and runs at 5%, 10% or 20% under the national tariff, set by the commodity code of the specific goods.
The ocean gateways are river ports, and most deep-sea cargo transships to a feeder before the passage up to Matadi. For the Katanga mining region, routing through Dar es Salaam or Walvis Bay is often faster than the Congo River despite looking longer on a map — worth pricing both.
What are the import restrictions in Democratic Republic of Congo?
Four things are worth checking before you book rather than after the vessel sails.
What documents do I need to import into Democratic Republic of Congo?
These cover the far end of the journey and belong to your consignee. We prepare and file the transport and commercial paperwork, but their own registrations are issued to them by their own authorities and cannot be obtained on their behalf.
What documents do you need in the UK to export?
A second, separate set of paperwork — and this one is yours rather than your consignee's. It is the part first-time exporters are most often caught by, because the destination requirements get all the attention and the British side looks like a formality until it stops a booking.
Duty depends on the commodity code of the specific goods, and rates change. This is general guidance, not tax or legal advice. Customs charges, duty and taxes in the destination country are payable there and are not included in our freight quote. Rates last reviewed .
UK to Democratic Republic of Congo shipping: FAQs
How long does shipping from the UK to Democratic Republic of Congo take?
Sea freight runs about 21–27 days port to port, and air freight 2–4 days airport to airport. Matadi is the quickest sea gateway on this lane at around 21 days. These are indicative figures measured port to port; the transit for your exact collection address and delivery address, including the inland legs at both ends, is confirmed at quote stage.
Which ports do you ship to in Democratic Republic of Congo?
We move cargo through 2 ports in Democratic Republic of Congo: Matadi (CDMAT), Boma (CDBOA). Full container load goes to Matadi and Boma. We have no scheduled groupage service to Democratic Republic of Congo at present, so part loads are quoted case by case. Each port page lists its location, code and indicative transit.
Do you handle customs clearance for Democratic Republic of Congo?
We handle the UK side: we file your export declaration with HMRC against your GB EORI number and raise the transport and commercial documents that travel with the shipment. Customs charges in Democratic Republic of Congo — duty, import tax and any local clearance fees — are payable there by the consignee and are not included in our rates, unless you have agreed a DDP Incoterm that puts them on you. Budget for them separately; they are the most common reason a landed cost comes in above the freight quote.
What should I know before shipping on the Democratic Republic of Congo lane?
Cargo for the Katanga mining region is often better routed through Dar es Salaam or Walvis Bay than up the Congo River, depending on where it is going. Ask for both options priced before assuming the west coast is shorter. Cargo commonly moving on this lane includes mining equipment and spares, construction materials, food commodities.
Compare lanes
Other countries we ship to and from
Rates and transit times for countries near Democratic Republic of Congo — each one works as an origin or a destination.
South Africa
Import & export · Durban
LCL from
£88.00
per cubic metre
20+ days
Nigeria
Import & export · Lagos (Apapa)
LCL from
£92.00
per cubic metre
18+ days
Kenya
Import & export · Mombasa
LCL from
£93.00
per cubic metre
24+ days
Plan the rest of the move
Shipping to Democratic Republic of Congo? Get a quote.
Any country to any country, import or export — send us the origin, destination and cargo details and we'll come back with a competitive rate within one business day.