Democratic Republic of The Congo FERI

Last updated: March 2026

Table of Contents

• What is FERI?
• What are the required documents?
• Consequences of not having FERI
• Pricing
• How long does it take?
• Which ports require FERI?
• Biggest exporters to DRC
• Related certificates you may need

What is FERI?

FERI stands for Fiche Electronique Renseignement a L’Importation, which is Electronic Cargo Tracking Note, ECTN in English. It is a certificate that allows DRC authorities to track, manage, and supervise all cargos from loading to discharge. It also provides them with information about the shipment before it arrives at the destination. It contains details about the exporter, the importer, information about the goods getting transported and their value, the cost of the freight, the type of shipment, the name of the vessel, etc.

FERI is part of a family of cargo tracking certificates used across Africa. Different countries use different names for the same type of certificate — for example, it’s called BSC/BESC in French-speaking West Africa and CNCA in Angola. Learn more about what a CTN certificate is and why it matters.

What are the required documents?

• Bill of Lading: It contains details about the exporter, the importer, the weight of the goods, the shipping line, the vessel name, etc.
• Commercial Invoice: It includes details of the goods, the freight cost, the incoterm, and some other charges if there is any, etc.
• Freight Invoice: It is only necessary if the freight cost isn’t on the commercial invoice.
• FXI Number: The importer must provide this number. It is not mandatory.

Make sure all documents are accurate before submission. See our guide on the top 20 mistakes to avoid when getting a CTN to prevent costly errors.

What are the consequences of not having this certificate?

You have to validate the FERI certificate within five days of departure. If you fail to provide it, your cargo won’t have entry clearance and will be sent back to the origin. There is also a penalty that goes up to $2,500 plus the cost of the FERI certificate.

The DRC enforces some of the strictest cargo tracking penalties in Africa. Unlike countries where fines are the only consequence, the DRC can reject your cargo entirely — resulting in return shipping costs, demurrage charges, and damaged business relationships. Learn more about why outsourcing your CTN to an experienced provider helps avoid these risks.

Pricing

How long does it take to get DRC FERI certificate?

We provide draft DRC FERI certificate within 24 hours. We provide certificates to exporters all over the World. For more details on the process, see our step-by-step guide to getting DR Congo FERI.

Which ports in DRC require FERI certificate?

All ports in the Democratic Republic of the Congo require FERI certificate. The DRC has over 2,300 km of Atlantic coastline and Congo River access, making port compliance essential. The top ports are:

• Port of Matadi:
  Located on the Congo River, the Port of Matadi is the largest and most important port in the DRC. It serves as a gateway for international trade, particularly for goods entering or leaving the country through the Atlantic Ocean.
• Port of Boma:
  Situated on the Congo River, the Port of Boma is another significant port in the DRC. It plays a vital role in facilitating maritime trade, primarily for the western regions of the country.
• Port of Kinshasa:
  Located in the capital city, Kinshasa, along the Congo River, the Port of Kinshasa is a major hub for river transportation and trade within the country. It serves as a crucial port for goods transported to and from the capital and its surrounding regions.
• Port of Kisangani:
  Positioned on the Congo River in the northeastern part of the country, the Port of Kisangani is an important river port serving the region. It enables trade and transportation along the river, connecting the northeastern regions of the DRC with other parts of the country.

Which countries are the biggest exporters to DRC?

The DRC is one of Africa’s largest import markets. According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), the country’s top import partners include:

• China
• France
• United States
• Italy
• Belgium
• Netherlands
• Germany
• India
• South Africa
• United Arab Emirates
• Spain
• Switzerland
• Brazil
• United Kingdom
• Turkey
• Russia
• Algeria
• Malaysia
• Canada
• Gabon

If you’re exporting from any of these countries to the DRC, a FERI certificate is required regardless of your country of origin. Contact us for a free quotation.

Related Certificates You May Need

If you’re shipping to or through countries neighboring the DRC, you may also need one of these certificates:

• Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) ECTN — required for all cargo entering Congo-Brazzaville
• Burundi ECTN — required for shipments to Burundi, often transiting through DRC
• Angola CNCA — required for shipments to Angola, one of Africa’s oldest cargo tracking requirements (since 1994)
• Gabon BIETC — required for cargo entering Gabon
• Central African Republic ECTN — landlocked country that may transit through DRC ports

Learn about all the different names of ECTN by country or read our guide on how to choose the right CTN service provider.