Current Freight Rates
| Volume | Approx. weight | Rate (USD / CBM) | Per-kg equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 CBM | ≈ 167 KG | USD 639.08 | USD 3.83/KG |
| 2 CBM | ≈ 333 KG | USD 592.92 | USD 3.56/KG |
| 3 CBM | ≈ 500 KG | USD 572.41 | USD 3.43/KG |
| 5 CBM | ≈ 833 KG | USD 562.16 | USD 3.37/KG |
| 8 CBM | ≈ 1,333 KG | USD 569.85 | USD 3.42/KG |
| 12 CBM | ≈ 2,000 KG | USD 595.49 | USD 3.57/KG |
| 20 CBM | ≈ 3,333 KG | USD 585.23 | USD 3.51/KG |
| 30 CBM | ≈ 5,000 KG | USD 549.33 | USD 3.30/KG |
1 CBM = 167 KG
— volume is converted to weight as L × W × H (cm) ÷ 6000,
so 1 CBM of cargo is treated as 167 KG.
The per-kg column is that conversion applied to the rate beside it — useful for comparing this lane against an air quote.
Shipments under 1 CBM are billed at the 1 CBM minimum.
How these prices are calculated — chargeable weight and CBM
Freight is not billed on the number on your bathroom scale. It is billed on chargeable weight: the greater of actual gross weight and volumetric weight, where volumetric weight is L × W × H (cm) ÷ 6000. Denser cargo pays on its weight; light bulky cargo pays on the space it occupies. Whichever is higher is the one you pay — never the lower.
- One cubic metre = 167 kg. That is 1,000,000 cm³ ÷ 6000, the same divisor used for the volumetric check, so both sides of this page agree with each other.
- Per-CBM channels (sea LCL and sea DDP). The published rate buys one cubic metre, not one kilogram. Where this page knows only a weight, it converts at 167 kg per CBM to show an indicative volume — your measured dimensions decide the real figure.
- One CBM minimum. Consolidators bill a one cubic metre floor, so anything that works out under 1 CBM is priced at 1 CBM.
- Freight only. These are published freight rates. Duty, tax and customs charges at destination are not a fixed number we can print: they follow your product's HS code, its declared value and the exchange rate applied on the day of entry, so they are confirmed against your actual goods and quoted separately.
- Indicative only — the real price can be higher or lower. Nothing on this page is a quotation or a commitment. What you finally pay depends on what the product is, how it is packed, the chargeable weight, the declared value, the destination duty position and the exchange rate at the time. Send the product details, weight and dimensions and we will price your specific shipment.
Trade Terms Explained — Who Pays for What EXW, FOB, CIF, DDP and seven more — see which costs sit with us and which sit with you
The rate above is quoted on one specific trade term. Change the term and you change how much of the journey to DR Congo is already inside the price. The table below maps the eleven common Incoterms® against the twelve cost stages of a door-to-door shipment, so you can see exactly where our responsibility ends and yours begins.
- Seller — Cost and arrangement sit with the seller / shipper.
- Buyer — Cost and arrangement sit with the buyer / consignee.
- Negotiable — Not fixed by the rule — agree it in the contract.
| Term | 1 Loading on truck | 2 Export customs declaration | 3 Carriage to port of export | 4 Unloading at port of export | 5 Loading on vessel / aircraft | 6 Main carriage | 7 Cargo insurance | 8 Unloading at port of import | 9 Loading on truck at import | 10 Carriage to destination | 11 Import customs clearance | 12 Import duties & taxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXW Ex Works | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck | Buyer Buyer — Export customs declaration | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to port of export | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FCA Free Carrier | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to port of export | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FAS Free Alongside Ship | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FOB Free On Board | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CFR Cost and Freight | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Seller Seller — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CPT Carriage Paid To | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Seller Seller — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU) | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DAP Delivered At Place | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DDP Delivered Duty Paid | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Seller Seller — Import customs clearance | Seller Seller — Import duties & taxes |
EXW Ex Works
Buyer takes over at the seller's door and carries every cost from there. Lowest quoted price, highest buyer workload.
FCA Free Carrier
Seller clears the goods for export and hands them to the carrier the buyer nominated.
FAS Free Alongside Ship
Sea and inland waterway only. Seller delivers alongside the vessel; loading is on the buyer.
FOB Free On Board
Sea and inland waterway only. Risk passes once the goods are on board. The most common buying term.
CFR Cost and Freight
Seller pays the main carriage but carries no insurance obligation; risk still passes on loading.
CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight
As CFR, plus the seller must buy and pay for cargo insurance (minimum cover unless you agree more).
CPT Carriage Paid To
Any mode. Seller pays carriage through to the named destination; insurance is not obligatory.
CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid
As CPT, plus the seller must insure the cargo through to the named destination.
DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU)
Seller delivers unloaded at the named terminal. Renamed DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded) in Incoterms® 2020.
DAP Delivered At Place
Seller delivers to your address ready for unloading; import clearance and duty stay with the buyer.
DDP Delivered Duty Paid
Seller carries everything through to your door, duty and tax included. Highest quoted price, least buyer workload.
Two things worth flagging. Under CIF and CIP the seller is obliged to buy cargo insurance and pay the premium; under every other term insurance is optional, and we recommend buyers arrange their own cover so a loss or damage in transit is recoverable. And this table is a working summary for planning purposes — the binding definitions are the ones published by the International Chamber of Commerce in the Incoterms® rules, so confirm the exact term wording in your sales contract before you ship.
Service Details
About This Service
International freight from China to DR Congo via Sea DDP w/Tax. All duties and taxes included (duty-paid).
Because this lane is quoted per CBM, the arithmetic runs the opposite way to an air quote: we measure the space and convert at about 166.7 kg per cubic metre only when a weight is all we have been given. Cargo denser than that rides well on this service; cargo lighter than that is usually cheaper consolidated up to a full cubic metre than shipped loose.
In practice the cargo we move on this lane clusters into a few recognisable shapes — furniture (HS 94), where clearance turns on timber due diligence (EUTR / EUDR) and UK upholstery fire regulations, engineering plastics (HS 39 / 40) and fasteners (HS 73 / 82 / 83). Each behaves differently against the rate: one fills the payload before it fills the space, the next does the reverse, and the packing brief we send back with the quote is written to the one you are actually shipping.
If you are working from a weight rather than a measurement, the 100 KG, 300 KG and 500 KG pages do the conversion for you: each one takes the weight, converts it at 166.7 kg per cubic metre, applies the one-CBM minimum where it bites, and shows the landed figure that comes out. Send real dimensions when you have them and the number tightens considerably.
Rate cards are hard to read against a real order, so we also publish worked examples at fixed weights: 100 KG, 300 KG and 500 KG, each showing what that shipment actually costs door to door on this lane. If you are still choosing between transport modes the China to DR Congo Sea Freight Cost comparison is the better starting point, and shipping from China to DR Congo covers the whole journey rather than just the freight.
Track your shipment
Enter your tracking number below
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Track your container to DR Congo
Ocean cargo is tracked by container number, not by a parcel barcode. Enter yours below: we check it is a valid number, identify the line that owns it, and take you straight to that line's tracking page for this ocean service.
A container number is four letters and seven digits, for example MSKU6090510. The last digit is a check digit, so a typo can be caught here rather than by an empty result on the carrier's site. We validate it in your browser — the number is not sent to us or to anyone else.
Additional Information
Documentation Required
Commercial invoice, packing list, and accurate HS codes for all items.
Tracking & Customs Resources
Once your shipment is in transit you may want to verify status or look up official duty rates. The following third-party tools and government portals are often useful for shipments to DR Congo:
External resources are provided for reference and open in a new tab. Always confirm current rules with your customs broker before shipping.
Where these numbers come from
Duty and tax figures on this page are planning estimates. The binding assessment is made by the national customs service against your declared HS code at the time of entry; where the amount is material, verify the current rate through ITC Market Access Map before committing to an order.
Classification drives everything downstream: the same carton can attract very different duty depending on the heading it lands in, and the structure those headings come from is the World Customs Organization Harmonized System. If your product sits near a boundary between two headings, resolve it before shipping rather than at the border.
For ocean cargo, restricted commodities move under the IMO's IMDG Code, and the container has to be declared and stowed accordingly. Batteries, flammables and corrosives all have a compliant ocean path; what causes rolled bookings is finding out about them after the container is packed.
For a wider view of how importing into DR Congo actually works — documentation norms, inspection behavior, the paperwork that tends to hold shipments — the U.S. ITA guide to DR Congo customs regulations is a useful independent read alongside our own lane notes.
China to DR Congo — Shipping Reference Data
| Main sea gateways | the main commercial seaport |
|---|---|
| Destination customs authority | the national customs service |
| De-minimis / duty-free threshold | No practical de-minimis |
| Import tax & duty regime | Import VAT + duty 5–35%; PSI common |
| Local currency | USD |
| Typical clearance / dwell time | 7–21 days |
| Peak / busy season | Oct–Dec |
| Conformity & certification | Pre-shipment conformity certificate |
Thresholds and duty bands are buyer-planning references, not formal customs rulings — confirm the exact HS-code rate for your goods before shipping.
Free 3D Loading Tools for This Sea Route
This page covers a Sea freight service from China to DR Congo. Use the matching tool below to plan your cargo before requesting a quote.
3D Container Loading Planner
Maximize every CBM on this route: load your carton list into the 3D container planner, check space and payload utilization, and download the loading plan for your forwarder.
Open Container Planner →DR Congo Sea Freight Checklist
- Ask whether the quote includes destination port charges in DR Congo or only ocean freight.
- Declare accurate gross weight — VGM misdeclaration delays vessels and triggers fines.
- Confirm whether your DR Congo rate is per CBM or per container before comparing quotes.
- Photograph the container number, seal, and loading process for insurance evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Sea DDP w/Tax from China to DR Congo take?
Sea freight on this route runs about 25–45 calendar days door-to-door, plus roughly 7–21 days of clearance/dwell once it reaches the gateway. All times include customs clearance under DDP terms.
What duties and taxes apply when importing into DR Congo?
Clearance is handled by the national customs service. The regime is: Import VAT + duty 5–35%; PSI common, with a de-minimis position of No practical de-minimis. Under DDP these are pre-paid, so nothing is collected on arrival.
Can you ship special cargo (batteries, branded goods) to DR Congo?
Yes — battery goods by sea follow UN3480/UN3481 rules with an MSDS; we prepare the dangerous-goods paperwork as part of DDP into the main commercial seaport. Surcharges apply.
How is the shipping cost on this route calculated?
This lane is published per cubic metre with a one cubic metre minimum, so the price follows the space the cargo occupies rather than what it weighs. Where only a weight is known we convert at roughly 166.7 kg per CBM (1,000,000 ÷ 6000) to show an indicative figure; measured dimensions decide the final one. Anything working out below 1 CBM is billed at the 1 CBM minimum.
Which ports or airports does this route use into DR Congo?
Sea cargo to DR Congo clears through the main commercial seaport; air freight clears via the primary international airport. We route through whichever gateway gives the fastest onward delivery to your address and build it into the DDP price.
What documents are required for customs clearance in DR Congo?
the national customs service typically requires a commercial invoice with HS codes, a packing list, the bill of lading/air waybill, a certificate of origin (may lower duty), and any product certification (Pre-shipment conformity certificate). We file these under DDP.
Historical Price Records
All price updates are recorded here. Use the weekly tabs to browse older entries.
| Date | 1CBM+ |
|---|---|
| 2026-11-04Latest | USD 639.08 |
| 2026-10-24 | USD 638.97 |
| 2026-10-16 | USD 638.87 |
| 2026-10-10 | USD 638.97 |
| 2026-09-30 | USD 639.03 |
| 2026-09-17 | USD 640.09 |
| 2026-09-15 | USD 639.03 |
| 2026-09-07 | USD 613.73 |
| 2026-09-07 | USD 613.22 |
| 2026-08-19 | USD 612.71 |
| 2026-08-17 | USD 612.68 |
| 2026-08-17 | USD 612.72 |
| 2026-08-06 | USD 612.72 |
| 2026-08-03 | USD 612.73 |
| 2026-07-30 | USD 612.72 |
| 2026-07-20 | USD 612.75 |
| 2026-07-17 | USD 607.75 |
| 2026-07-14 | USD 607.73 |
| 2026-07-07 | USD 607.71 |
| 2026-07-03 | USD 607.72 |
| 2026-07-02 | USD 607.71 |
| 2026-06-30 | USD 607.71 |
| 2026-06-23 | USD 607.71 |
| 2026-06-15 | USD 607.74 |
| 2026-06-08 | USD 607.74 |
| 2026-05-19 | USD 607.69 |
| 2026-05-14 | USD 607.69 |
Price Trend
Customer Reviews
What customers say about shipping to DR Congo with us.
🇨🇩 DR Congo
Booked another door-to-door shipment to DR Congo through this team. Import handling was clearly arranged in advance. The landed price stayed aligned with the quote, which helped our budgeting. Would use the same line again for general cargo.
We used this route for a regular replenishment to DR Congo. The cargo moved with fewer delays than expected. Tracking updates were not excessive, but they came when something important changed. Would use the same line again for general cargo.
We used this route for a regular replenishment to DR Congo. The cargo moved with fewer delays than expected. The landed price stayed aligned with the quote, which helped our budgeting. A practical option when we need predictable landed cost.
We tested this lane to DR Congo with a mid-volume order. The cargo moved with fewer delays than expected. The landed price stayed aligned with the quote, which helped our budgeting. Better coordination than the forwarder we used before.
This was a DDP shipment to DR Congo for mixed cartons. The cargo moved with fewer delays than expected. Tracking updates were not excessive, but they came when something important changed. A practical option when we need predictable landed cost. Service serieux pour un envoi DDP.
Booked another door-to-door shipment to DR Congo through this team. Import handling was clearly arranged in advance. Tracking updates were not excessive, but they came when something important changed. A practical option when we need predictable landed cost.
We tested this lane to DR Congo with a mid-volume order. Import handling was clearly arranged in advance. Transit was close to the estimate and the destination delivery appointment was handled well. Better coordination than the forwarder we used before.
This was a DDP shipment to DR Congo for mixed cartons. The cargo moved with fewer delays than expected. The booking process was straightforward and the team confirmed documents early. Would use the same line again for general cargo. Service serieux pour un envoi DDP.
We tested this lane to DR Congo with a mid-volume order. The cargo moved with fewer delays than expected. Tracking updates were not excessive, but they came when something important changed. Better coordination than the forwarder we used before. Service serieux pour un envoi DDP.
This was a DDP shipment to DR Congo for mixed cartons. The cargo moved with fewer delays than expected. Cartons arrived clean and labels were still readable on delivery. Better coordination than the forwarder we used before.
Booked another door-to-door shipment to DR Congo through this team. Import handling was clearly arranged in advance. Transit was close to the estimate and the destination delivery appointment was handled well. Better coordination than the forwarder we used before.
We used this route for a regular replenishment to DR Congo. The cargo moved with fewer delays than expected. Transit was close to the estimate and the destination delivery appointment was handled well. A practical option when we need predictable landed cost.
Shipping DR Congo cargo by industry
This rate is for the lane. What decides whether the cargo arrives intact is the commodity — how it prices, how it must be packed and loaded, and which compliance step holds it at the border. These guides cover that per industry.
- Solar Inverter New Energy, Power & Electrical
- Energy Storage System New Energy, Power & Electrical
- Building Materials Building Materials & Construction Products
- Construction Hardware Building Materials & Construction Products
- Plastic Products Plastics, Rubber & Packaging
- Ceramic Tableware Glass & Ceramic Products
- 5G Equipment Telecom, Computing & Data Centre
- Headphones Consumer Electronics & Smart Devices
- Home Furniture Furniture & Home Products
- Garden Products Furniture & Home Products
- Footwear Textiles, Apparel, Footwear & Leather
- Medical Furniture Medical, Laboratory & Precision Instruments