DRC - Clearing Procedures for Humanitarian Supplies in the DRC, July 2026

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Clearing Procedures for Humanitarian Supplies in the DRC

For the Attention of Humanitarian Organizations and Their Freight Forwarders

Document Date: July 1, 2026

Source: IMPACCT

Please be advised that Congolese customs legislation provides for several mechanisms to prevent the detention of humanitarian supplies and relief goods when certain documents are still pending.

1. General Principle

The temporary absence of certain documents does not automatically mean that the goods must remain held at customs. Specific procedures exist to allow for their release under the supervision of the customs administration.

2. Immediate Release Procedure

Legal basis: Article 128 of the Customs Code
This provision authorizes the release of goods before customs formalities are fully completed when justified by an emergency. It applies in particular to humanitarian supplies, relief materials, and goods necessary for emergency operations.

3. Simplified, Provisional, or Incomplete Declaration

Reference: DGDA Circular of September 12, 2015 – Point 4
: “Goods may be released on the basis of a simplified, provisional, or incomplete declaration, subject to customs authorization. ”
This procedure allows clearing to proceed even when certain supporting documents are not yet available.

4. Emergency shipments

Reference: DGDA Circular of September 12, 2015 – Point 6.b
Relief goods may be released based on a provisional declaration, even in the absence of certain required documents, with an exemption from security.
This provision is specifically intended to prevent any delays in humanitarian assistance.

5. Authorization from the DGDA

Reference: DGDA Circular of September 12, 2015 – Point 7
The filing of a provisional declaration for the goods referred to in point 6 is subject to authorization by the Director General of Customs and Excise or his or her delegate.
In the event of operational difficulties, organizations may request the intervention of the competent authorities of the DGDA to facilitate the application of these provisions.

6. Recommendations for Organizations

• Check with your freight forwarder to ensure they are familiar with these procedures.
• Explicitly request the use of a simplified, provisional, or incomplete declaration when the conditions are met.
• For humanitarian and relief goods, refer to the provisions set forth in the circular dated September 12, 2015.
• In the event of an unjustified delay, request a written explanation and, if necessary, bring the matter to the attention of the DGDA’s senior management.

The following documents are required for shipping humanitarian supplies to the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo):

• An invoice
• The donation certificate
• A packing list
• A certificate of origin
• A copy of the interministerial decree granting administrative and tax incentives
• An IM8 form for transit purposes (if applicable)
• A T1 document accompanying the IM8, validated at the boundary when the shipment crossed
• The bill of lading (if applicable in this case) 
• A copy of the Marketing Authorization (AMM), particularly for pharmaceutical products (document issued by ACOREP—the Congolese Pharmaceutical Regulatory Authority)