DR Congo: electronic document bundle now mandatory nationwide
An inter-ministerial circular of 17 December 2025 requires the foreign trade document bundle to be transmitted exclusively electronically, from the fully integrated single window (GUICE) to customs (DGDA). Rollout, which began in Kinshasa, is to be extended across the whole of Congolese territory by 18 February 2026.
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According to inter-ministerial circular note No. 003/CAB/MIN/FINANCES/2025 and No. 003/CAB/MIN.COMEXT/KKJ/2025, dated 17 December 2025 and published by the Fédération des Entreprises du Congo, every foreign trade operator must transmit its document bundle (commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin and supporting documents) exclusively by electronic means between the Guichet Unique Intégral du Commerce Extérieur (GUICE) system and that of the Directorate-General of Customs and Excise (DGDA).
The test phase began on 29 December 2025 in Kinshasa (city and airport), before extending in late January 2026 to the mining heartland (Haut-Katanga and Lualaba), then in mid-February 2026 to Kongo Central, home to the port of Matadi. Any foreign trade operation carried out outside the official GUICE channel is declared irregular and exposes the operator to administrative and judicial sanctions, according to the same circular.
Mandatory nationwide rollout is scheduled for 18 February 2026. From that date, an importer who continues to submit their document bundle on paper or outside the GUICE system risks having their customs file blocked, whatever the entry point (Kinshasa, Matadi or the eastern mining points).
All importers registered in DR Congo are affected, including those bringing in goods from China via a freight forwarder or customs broker based in Kinshasa or Matadi, who will need to make sure their forwarder is properly connected to GUICE before sending their documents.
What it changes for an importer
For a Sorva client importing into DR Congo, this means the documentary file (invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin) must be ready and accurate before the container arrives, since it can no longer be regularised on paper at the last minute. Sorva can prepare a commercial invoice and packing list in the expected format and send them ahead of time to the importer or their freight forwarder, but does not itself file the bundle in GUICE or clear the goods in DR Congo, a role that remains with the client or their local freight forwarder.
The certifications your country requires
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West and Central Africa Mandatory pre-shipment inspection
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Several West and Central African countries require a pre-shipment inspection by a government-appointed body, such as Bureau Veritas (BIVAC), Cotecna or SGS depending on the country, which issues the certificate required for customs clearance.
- Identification of the appointed body for your country
- Pro forma invoice and packing list prepared with the factory
- Factory access and goods ready on inspection day
- Our own check before the inspector arrives
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