Largest market shown
Not reported
$1.9B of latest reported imports and $1.3B of calculated three-year opportunity.
Importer opportunity guide
Democratic Republic of the Congo import opportunities
where to source next
Explore Democratic Republic of the Congo's import market by product, supplier concentration, demand growth, and sourcing gaps. Use reported market size and calculated indicators to decide where deeper supplier research may be useful.
Latest imports$19.8B2024 reported value
Import CAGR+31.0%Three-year reported change
GDP$71.0BLatest reported value
GDP per capita$649.4Latest reported value
Trade openness0.0%Reported share of GDP
Democratic Republic of the Congo import opportunities
What makes this an attractive import market?
Compare market size and growth with supplier concentration. A large market may still need product, quality, tariff, logistics, and buyer validation.
Current import base
$19.8B in imports
Democratic Republic of the Congo recorded $19.8B in imports in 2024, with a three-year change of +31.0%.
How to use the guide
Compare demand with supply
Start with the highest-value products, then review supplier concentration and market conditions before choosing a sourcing route.
Import market overview
Find products where demand and sourcing options meet
This page separates reported import observations from calculated indicators so market size is not mistaken for a guaranteed sourcing opportunity.
Democratic Republic of the Congo imports products from suppliers across major trade regions. The current profile reports $19.8B of imports in 2024, while the opportunity view highlights product and supplier combinations where market demand and supply context may justify further research.
Use the opportunity table to compare product market size, demand growth, supplier counts, concentration, and projected imports. High concentration can indicate reliance on a small supplier base; it can also reflect specialized products that require careful validation.
Top import opportunities
Products and supplier context to review
The top 50 screened products are ranked by calculated three-year opportunity. Reported market values and calculated indicators are labeled separately.
| Rank | Product | Market size | Demand growth | Suppliers | Concentration | Top supplier | Projected imports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HS 271012Product description unavailable | $1.9BLatest imports | +18.9% | 72 | 1988 | AREGrowing | $3.2B |
| 2 | HS 490700Unused postage, revenue or similar stamps of current or new issue in the country in which they have, or will have, a recognised face value: stamp-impressed paper: cheque forms: banknotes, stock, share or bond certificates and the like of similar title | $695.4MLatest imports | +13.0% | 33 | 8920 | USADeclining | $1.0B |
| 3 | HS 271019Product description unavailable | $2.3BLatest imports | +14.4% | 93 | 1218 | BHRDeclining | $3.4B |
| 4 | HS 250300Sulphur of all kinds: other than sublimed, precipitated and colloidal sulphur | $691.4MLatest imports | +42.3% | 36 | 1618 | AREGrowing | $1.4B |
| 5 | HS 847490Machines, for sorting, screening, separating, washing, crushing etc mineral substances, for agglomerating, shaping or moulding solid fuels, ceramic pastes etc, for forming foundry moulds of sand: parts | $262.2MLatest imports | +28.6% | 68 | 4515 | CHNGrowing | $512.0M |
| 6 | HS 100119Cereals: wheat and meslin, durum wheat, other than seed | $220.3MLatest imports | +47.9% | 20 | 4935 | RUSDeclining | $430.2M |
| 7 | HS 280700Sulphuric acid: oleum | $211.9MLatest imports | +32.4% | 22 | 5558 | ZMBSlowing | $413.8M |
| 8 | HS 730890Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.s. in heading no. 7308 | $223.9MLatest imports | +25.3% | 57 | 4853 | CHNDeclining | $437.3M |
| 9 | HS 670420Wigs, false beards, eyebrows and eyelashes, switches and the like and other articles n.e.s.: of human hair | $100.6MLatest imports | +30.3% | 15 | 9693 | CHNDeclining | $196.5M |
| 10 | HS 220210Waters: including mineral and aerated, containing added sugar or other sweetening matter or flavoured | $129.3MLatest imports | +28.9% | 36 | 5408 | ZMBDeclining | $252.6M |
| 11 | HS 842952Mechanical shovels, excavators and shovel loaders: with a 360 degree revolving super structure | $148.4MLatest imports | +17.1% | 24 | 5581 | CHNDeclining | $238.0M |
| 12 | HS 300490Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.s. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale | $251.4MLatest imports | +11.6% | 66 | 2624 | INDDeclining | $349.4M |
| 13 | HS 870423Vehicles: compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a g.v.w. exceeding 20 tonnes), nes in item no 8704.1 | $123.7MLatest imports | +13.8% | 35 | 7527 | CHNDeclining | $182.3M |
| 14 | HS 870410Vehicles: dumpers, designed for off-highway use, for transport of goods | $171.8MLatest imports | +25.8% | 28 | 2617 | CHNStable | $335.6M |
| 15 | HS 850213Electric generating sets: with compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines (diesel or semi-diesel engines), of an output exceeding 375kVA | $91.0MLatest imports | +33.6% | 24 | 6721 | CHNDeclining | $177.7M |
| 16 | HS 854449Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 80 volts, not fitted with connectors | $119.2MLatest imports | +22.7% | 82 | 4340 | CHNDeclining | $220.1M |
| 17 | HS 283210Sulphites: of sodium | $74.3MLatest imports | +61.8% | 26 | 8815 | CHNStable | $145.1M |
| 18 | HS 847410Machines: for sorting, screening, separating or washing earth, stone, ores or other mineral substances | $75.0MLatest imports | +35.5% | 23 | 7982 | CHNDeclining | $146.6M |
| 19 | HS 251990Magnesia, fused or dead-burned (sintered): whether or not containing small quantities of other oxides added before sintering, other magnesium oxide, whether or not pure, (not natural magnesium carbonate) | $236.4MLatest imports | +51.7% | 23 | 2280 | TZADeclining | $461.7M |
| 20 | HS 847420Machines: for crushing or grinding earth, stone, ores or other mineral substances | $73.2MLatest imports | +45.2% | 34 | 7050 | CHNDeclining | $143.0M |
| 21 | HS 270119Coal: (other than anthracite and bituminous), whether or not pulverised but not agglomerated | $99.4MLatest imports | +23.5% | 12 | 4543 | ZWEDeclining | $187.1M |
| 22 | HS 283010Sulphides: of sodium | $61.3MLatest imports | +58.4% | 8 | 9315 | CHNDeclining | $119.7M |
| 23 | HS 871120Motorcycles (including mopeds) and cycles: fitted with an auxiliary motor, reciprocating internal combustion piston engine, of cylinder capacity exceeding 50cc but not exceeding 250cc, with or without side-cars: side-cars | $106.1MLatest imports | +20.6% | 19 | 4852 | INDDeclining | $186.0M |
| 24 | HS 853710Boards, panels, consoles, desks and other bases: for electric control or the distribution of electricity, (other than switching apparatus of heading no. 8517), for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts | $106.6MLatest imports | +22.8% | 64 | 3837 | CHNSlowing | $197.2M |
| 25 | HS 252210Quicklime: excluding calcium oxide and hydroxide of heading no. 2825 | $115.1MLatest imports | +47.2% | 21 | 4112 | ZMBDeclining | $224.8M |
| 26 | HS 848180Taps, cocks, valves and similar appliances: for pipes, boiler shells, tanks, vats or the like, including thermostatically controlled valves | $97.3MLatest imports | +19.4% | 79 | 3924 | CHNDeclining | $165.6M |
| 27 | HS 110313Cereal groats and meal: of maize (corn) | $109.2MLatest imports | +16.6% | 20 | 4855 | ZAFDeclining | $173.4M |
| 28 | HS 310230Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, ammonium nitrate, whether or not in aqueous solution | $92.9MLatest imports | +31.5% | 16 | 3608 | RUSDeclining | $181.4M |
| 29 | HS 030355Fish: frozen, jack and horse mackerel (Trachurus spp.), excluding fillets, livers, roes, and other fish meat of heading 0304 | $85.6MLatest imports | +24.1% | 17 | 4418 | NAMStable | $163.8M |
| 30 | HS 851762Communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and routing apparatus | $82.2MLatest imports | +15.2% | 80 | 5378 | CHNStable | $125.7M |
| 31 | HS 340220Washing and cleaning preparations: surface-active, whether or not containing soap (excluding those of heading no. 3401), put up for retail sale | $63.2MLatest imports | +22.2% | 38 | 6347 | ZMBDeclining | $115.3M |
| 32 | HS 843149Machinery: parts of machines handling earth, minerals or ores and n.e.c. in heading no. 8431 | $161.2MLatest imports | +19.1% | 90 | 1852 | CHNDeclining | $272.4M |
| 33 | HS 252329Cement: portland, other than white, whether or not artificially coloured | $113.1MLatest imports | +21.5% | 29 | 3476 | UGAGrowing | $202.7M |
| 34 | HS 853720Boards, panels, consoles, desks and other bases: for electric control or the distribution of electricity, (other than switching apparatus of heading no. 8517), for a voltage exceeding 1000 volts | $57.7MLatest imports | +73.2% | 44 | 5744 | CHNDeclining | $112.6M |
| 35 | HS 851712Telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks | $98.1MLatest imports | +12.5% | 56 | 4153 | CHNSlowing | $139.6M |
| 36 | HS 841391Pumps: parts thereof | $103.7MLatest imports | +19.2% | 64 | 3711 | CHNDeclining | $175.5M |
| 37 | HS 270799Oils and other products of the distillation of high temperature coal tar: n.e.s. in heading no. 2707 | $52.9MLatest imports | +44.6% | 10 | 6128 | BELDeclining | $103.4M |
| 38 | HS 841370Pumps: centrifugal, n.e.c. in heading no. 8413, for liquids | $87.6MLatest imports | +23.1% | 50 | 3647 | CHNGrowing | $163.4M |
| 39 | HS 732611Iron or steel: grinding balls and similar articles for mills, forged or stamped, but not further worked | $57.1MLatest imports | +39.7% | 17 | 4964 | CHNSlowing | $111.6M |
| 40 | HS 732591Iron: grinding balls and similar articles for mills, other than of non-malleable cast iron | $53.2MLatest imports | +69.6% | 13 | 5345 | CHNDeclining | $103.9M |
| 41 | HS 870120Tractors: road, for semi-trailers | $59.4MLatest imports | +13.3% | 32 | 7345 | CHNDeclining | $86.3M |
| 42 | HS 854330Electrical machines and apparatus: for electroplating, electrolysis or electrophoresis | $39.4MLatest imports | +74.1% | 22 | 8966 | CHNDeclining | $76.9M |
| 43 | HS 850440Electrical static converters | $63.2MLatest imports | +22.5% | 79 | 4007 | CHNStable | $116.3M |
| 44 | HS 170114Sugars: cane sugar, raw, in solid form, other than as specified in Subheading Note 2 to this chapter, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter | $89.9MLatest imports | +10.6% | 27 | 4342 | BRADeclining | $121.5M |
| 45 | HS 401180Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on construction, mining or industrial handling vehicles and machines | $59.8MLatest imports | +25.6% | 39 | 4214 | CHNSlowing | $116.8M |
| 46 | HS 030319Fish: frozen, salmonidae, n.e.c. in item no. 0303.1, excluding fillets, livers, roes, and other fish meat of heading 0304 | $35.3MLatest imports | +51.8% | 5 | 9999 | MRTGrowing | $69.0M |
| 47 | HS 100630Cereals: rice, semi-milled or wholly milled, whether or not polished or glazed | $90.0MLatest imports | +9.7% | 29 | 4176 | THADeclining | $118.8M |
| 48 | HS 271600Electrical energy | $42.2MLatest imports | +19.5% | 7 | 8128 | ZMBDeclining | $72.0M |
| 49 | HS 871410Motorcycles (including mopeds): parts and accessories | $47.9MLatest imports | +32.3% | 32 | 5574 | CHNDeclining | $93.6M |
| 50 | HS 842951Front-end shovel loaders | $72.7MLatest imports | +25.0% | 35 | 2720 | CHNDeclining | $141.9M |
Showing the five highest-ranked products on mobile. View the complete import opportunity data.
Product sectors
Which sectors carry the most demand?
HS2 sectors group the screened products into broader families for an easier first comparison.
| Sector | Products | Market size | Opportunity | Average growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS2 sector 00HS2 00 | 2 | $4.2B | $1.9B | +16.6% |
| MachineryHS2 84 | 9 | $1.1B | $1.2B | +25.8% |
| Printed matterHS2 49 | 1 | $695.4M | $947.8M | +13.0% |
| Electrical equipmentHS2 85 | 8 | $657.3M | $790.2M | +34.6% |
| Salt, sulphur, earths and stoneHS2 25 | 4 | $1.2B | $664.5M | +40.7% |
| VehiclesHS2 87 | 5 | $509.0M | $565.4M | +21.2% |
| Inorganic chemicalsHS2 28 | 3 | $347.5M | $541.5M | +50.9% |
| Articles of iron or steelHS2 73 | 3 | $334.2M | $435.8M | +44.8% |
| CerealsHS2 10 | 2 | $310.2M | $363.7M | +28.8% |
| Mineral fuelsHS2 27 | 3 | $194.5M | $257.5M | +29.2% |
| Prepared feathersHS2 67 | 1 | $100.6M | $193.4M | +30.3% |
| BeveragesHS2 22 | 1 | $129.3M | $180.6M | +28.9% |
Supply gaps
Where supplier concentration deserves attention
The concentration index helps identify products where reported imports rely more heavily on a smaller supplier base. It is a screening signal, not a recommendation by itself.
| Product | Market size | Suppliers | Concentration | Top supplier | Share gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS 030319Fish: frozen, salmonidae, n.e.c. in item no. 0303.1, excluding fillets, livers, roes, and other fish meat of heading 0304 | $35.3M | 5 | 9999 | MRT | 100.0% |
| HS 670420Wigs, false beards, eyebrows and eyelashes, switches and the like and other articles n.e.s.: of human hair | $100.6M | 15 | 9693 | CHN | 98.4% |
| HS 283010Sulphides: of sodium | $61.3M | 8 | 9315 | CHN | 96.5% |
| HS 854330Electrical machines and apparatus: for electroplating, electrolysis or electrophoresis | $39.4M | 22 | 8966 | CHN | 94.6% |
| HS 490700Unused postage, revenue or similar stamps of current or new issue in the country in which they have, or will have, a recognised face value: stamp-impressed paper: cheque forms: banknotes, stock, share or bond certificates and the like of similar title | $695.4M | 33 | 8920 | USA | 94.4% |
| HS 283210Sulphites: of sodium | $74.3M | 26 | 8815 | CHN | 93.8% |
| HS 271600Electrical energy | $42.2M | 7 | 8128 | ZMB | 89.9% |
| HS 847410Machines: for sorting, screening, separating or washing earth, stone, ores or other mineral substances | $75.0M | 23 | 7982 | CHN | 89.0% |
Supplier landscape
Which supplier markets appear most often?
These supplier names come from the leading peer signal in the screened opportunity rows and should be validated at product level.
CHN
China
28 screened products
$3.3BCalculated opportunity across these rowsARE
United Arab Emirates
2 screened products
$1.6BCalculated opportunity across these rowsUSA
USA, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands
1 screened products
$947.8MCalculated opportunity across these rowsZMB
Zambia
5 screened products
$734.3MCalculated opportunity across these rowsBHR
Bahrain
1 screened products
$640.9MCalculated opportunity across these rowsRUS
Russia
2 screened products
$392.3MCalculated opportunity across these rowsIND
India
2 screened products
$274.8MCalculated opportunity across these rowsTZA
United Rep. of Tanzania
1 screened products
$129.4MCalculated opportunity across these rowsFrequently asked questions
Using the Democratic Republic of the Congo import opportunity index
Definitions and practical guidance for interpreting market size, growth, suppliers, and concentration.
What are the import opportunities?
They are product and supplier combinations in Democratic Republic of the Congo's screened import market with substantial reported demand and calculated opportunity indicators. They are research priorities, not guaranteed savings or supply contracts.
What does supplier concentration mean?
The concentration index indicates how much reported imports rely on a smaller supplier base. A high value can suggest supply dependence, but it can also reflect specialized products or limited reporting.
How should sourcing teams use this page?
Start with products that fit your specification and volume needs, then validate suppliers, tariffs, standards, logistics, pricing, and continuity for Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Data source
OECD trade statistics with CEPII context
OECD (2025), Balanced international merchandise trade statistics (BIMTS) - HS2017-6D, OECD Data Explorer (accessed on 2026-08-30). OECD BIMTS is the primary trade series for this view. Supporting bilateral trade context uses CEPII BACI bilateral trade flows (202601) under Etalab 2.0 Open Licence. Yugalinks presents derived views of reported observations and calculated indicators. Data terms: OECD Terms & Conditions.