Connecting DR Congo to the world
Since the beginning of 2023, MSC has been helping its customers ship goods in and out of the DR Congo. From offices in Kinshasa and Matadi that cover the entire country, our 53 employees provide reliable and efficient services designed to meet the needs of a wide range of industries.
Agribusiness, building materials, mining and metallurgy, and packaging as a support industry are the main industries we serve. This allows MSC DRC to offer a wide range of shipping and logistics services.
Overall, MSC is a major player in the shipping and logistics industry in the DRC. The company's global reach, combined with its local expertise and experience, makes it a valuable partner for companies that rely on efficient and reliable shipping and logistics services.
Contact our team to request a quote, book or find out more about our local services
Detention, demurrage, Per Diem and storage charges
Detention is the charge to use carrier’s full container, when it left port terminal or approved Inland Container Depot, after detention free time expiration. This charge can also apply while the container is undergoing inspection by DRC Customs, or while the cargo inside the container is being reworked for safety reasons.
What is demurrage?
Demurrage is the container rental charge applicable, after free time expiration, while container is still inside port terminal or approved Inland Container Depot. In case of a demurrage dispute, email paul.amisi@msc.com and describing the reasons for the dispute.
What are storage charges?
A storage charge is applicable for containers left inside container yard after terminal free time expiration. Our stevedore SCTP is the one managing storage calculations and payments.
SOLAS VGM information for DR Congo
SOLAS VGM information for DR Congo
Government approval status
The government position regarding the implementation of the verified gross mass (VGM) amendments in the SOLAS Convention has been defined in decree No. 59/MIT/DC/SGM/CTJ/PAC/CNCB/DMM/SA, dated 30 June 2016.
Verified gross mass or VGM refers to the exact, verified weight of a packed container. For safety reasons, vessel operators can only load a container if its weight has been verified.
In line with Safety of Lives at Sea (SOLAS) regulations, all marine and river terminals in DRC are now allowed to use their certified scales to record shipment VGM.
What do I need to include in my VGM instructions?
You must include the following on all VGM instructions:
Booking or Bill of Lading (BL) number
Container number
VGM (kgs)
Shipper/Authorised Party’s signature
Shipper/Authorised Party's name
How submit my VGM instructions?
VGM instructions should be submitted on myMSC
Deadlines for sending VGM instructions
Instructions must be recorded before the vessel closing date, i.e. 72 hours before vessel arrival.
Admin fees and costs
Any cost or consequences caused by delay, misdeclaration or manual entry of VGM instructions is payable by shipper.
Contact information
For more information, please contact the MSC DRC through his local agent AGL DRC’s customer service team
Email : bethy.shimulumbi@msc.com or julien.ndongendeba@msc.com
STD: +243 995 901 904/ 900 001 904
ECTN in Democratic Republic of Congo
The ECTN is an Electronic Cargo Tracking Notice. The ECTN number is known as the NVU (Numéro Visa Unique) or as the FERI Number (Fiche Electronique des Renseignements à l’Import) and must be mentioned on the Bill of Lading.
The ECTN is provided by OGEFREM agents at the loading port. The list of agents can be found on the website ogefrem.com/liste-agents.pdf . The Congolese Control Office (the OCC) is charged with the control of the effective application of these measures at the arrival ports and the country borders of the DRC. BIVAC (Bureau Veritas Certificate of Inspection)
OFIDA, the customs authority in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has issued a statement reminding all parties about the need for every import shipment to have a Bureau Veritas Certificate of Inspection (the so called BIVAC certificate). Carriers are requested not to accept any cargo without a valid BIVAC number, and in case of none compliance cargo will be returned to port of loading at the exporter's expense. For any further queries we advise you to contact your local office Bureau Veritas.
Our Local partner AGL can assist you to process you ECTN for DRC. You can directly contact them through email : olivier.muamba@aglgroup.com or clemence.mukala@aglgroup.com
STD: +243 995 901 904/ 900 001 904
Prohibited cargo
The following are prohibited for both important and export are listed on following customs site:
https://douane.gouv.cd/entreprises/commerce-international/produits-soumis-a-reglementation-particulieres-embargos/If in doubt regarding any commodity not listed above, please contact our Import or Export Sales Team.
For full details of prohibited cargo in DR Congo, please see Import and export regulations
List of terminals
Ports and terminals
MSC operates services to and from DRC West from One Port & Terminal named SCTP with the support of Logistics teams to assist our customers.
| Port of Loading | Terminal |
| Matadi | SCTP |
| Kinshasa | TCPK (River Port) |
| Kinshasa | TCK (ICD) |
Cargo Loading
Container Weighing (VGM)
Results not found
Last update: 2024-04-26T01:40:00