When conducting air and sea shipments to the Democratic Republic of Congo, it is mandatory for shippers or their designated representatives to furnish a FERI (Fiche Electronique de Renseignements à l’Importation). This regulation is strictly enforced, particularly for shipments offloaded at the Port of Matadi and other major entry points.
Compliance Checklist:
Mandatory Documentation: The FERI is an absolute requirement for all imports, regardless of cargo type or value.
Official Validation: This document necessitates validation from a recognized and duly authorized entity to be legally recognized by DRC customs.
Risk: Failure to secure a validated FERI prior to cargo arrival will lead to severe customs penalties, clearance blockages, and significant financial liability at the destination.
As an Officially Authorized Agent for the DRC, Pelship Offshore SAL provides the expertise needed for expeditious, cost-effective, and secure acquisition of your documentation.
The Pelship Promise: In a landscape of shifting rules, we serve as your Knowledge Hub. We verify every change at the source, ensuring that your compliance is handled with care and proper guidance.
Protect your supply chain and prevent costly delays by submitting your high-resolution PDF documents (under 2MB per file) to the Pelship Team today for expert drafting and compliance validation.
Documents required:
- Bill of Lading
- Commercial invoice
- Freight invoice (if incoterms and rate are not included in the CI)
- FXI Number
- Bivac Code for goods with a value > USD 2,500,-
Regulations
To ensure your FERI meets the strict technical standards of the Congolese authorities, the following data must be accurately declared:
- Contact Details: Valid email addresses for both the Importer and the Exporter.
- Transport Specifics: Precise ETD, ETA, Vessel Name, and Voyage Number.
- Cargo Classification: Mandatory inclusion of the Category, HS Code, and IMO Code (if applicable) for the goods.
- Physical Metrics: Accurate reporting of Net Weight, Gross Weight, and Volume.
- Vehicle Import Restrictions: For used vehicles, the Chassis Number and Registration Date must be provided to comply with Decree No. 17/006 (amending Decree No. 12/041). These regulations strictly govern the age and condition of vehicles permitted for import into the DRC.
- Official Agency Status: Engaging your designated official agent, Pelship, ensures your FERI is processed through legitimate channels, mitigating the risk of fraudulent certificates.