1 518 302 6818
kyle.hallner@getctn.com
Our expert team is ready to cover all necessary details in a one-on-one video session, where we’ll share the required documents and guide you through the process.
Please select a convenient date and time for your session using our online calendar.
What is FERI?
FERI is a mandatory loading document for all shipments to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is required for Matadi, Boma, Banana or any other port. It is also known as CTN and BSC.
It was determined as a regulation in 2011 by the Democratic Republic of the Congo Customs Officials. Failing to present the FERI document will lead to severe consequences and a hefty fine.
Procedure
According to this law, every cargo purchased from abroad and transported for commercial, business, in some cases, diplomatic and personal purposes require a Loading Certificate called FERI – Fiche Electronique Renseignement a L’Importation.
The shipper or the freight forwarder is responsible for acquiring the FERI waiver certificate from the authorized representative.
- Transport Document – Draft Bill of Lading, Air-Waybill, or CMR copy can be used for the draft.
- Commercial Invoice – Incoterm, reference, and date must be mentioned.
- Freight Invoice: It is necessary if the freight cost isn’t on the commercial invoice.
- FXI Number – The importer has to provide it (It is not mandatory)
- The FERI certificate must be validated five days before the vessel arrives at the latest.
- Suppose your shipment is going to the Democratic Republic of the Congo by Air or Road Freight within the African continent i.e., South Africa, to D.R. of the Congo. In that case, you must obtain a FERI Certificate for your cargo.
- Shipments that arrive without FERI or with false information on the FERI get charged twice the certificate cost plus the regulation charge determined by the D.R. of the Congo National Port Officials.
- According to D.R. of the Congo Customs regulations, all cargoes to D.R. of the Congo must be accompanied by a FERI certificate.
- The Charger, BEFORE loading cargo, must request the FERI waiver certificate.
- Shippers or forwarder agents have to submit a FERI certificate 5 days before the vessel arrives in the territorial waters of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Failing to submit the FERI certificate will lead to the cargo not getting through customs clearance and returning to its origin.
- If FERI is absent from unloading the container, the FERI issuance will be paid at the arrival, plus a fine of %20 on the freight value. (409/021 – 23th March 1992)
- For all following vehicles that since 2012 had restrictions depending on the age of first registration, now 1st year of registration has been extended up to 20 years.
- CARS – Motor vehicles for personal use, which normal usage is transporting persons and goods.
- MINIBUS – Motor vehicles for transporting people or goods of less than 10 places (seats).
- HEAVY LIFT (For example, TRUCK. TRUCK TRAILER OR SEMITRAILER, AUTOBUS) – Vehicles for transporting people or goods of 3,5 T or more.
- UTILITY VEHICLES (For instance, VANS, PICK-UP, LITTLE TRUCK, AMBULANCES) – Vehicles for professional use with a maximum weight of 3.5 tonnes.
- Regarding the following vehicles, there is no restriction; therefore, FERI issuance is always allowed:
- Cycles / Mopeds/Motorbikes;
- Trailer/semi-trailers / Light semi-trailers;
- Vehicles on the rail;
- Heavy equipment vehicles with double or more axis (e.g., 4×4, 6×6, 8×8 …) with special equipment
- Agricultural tractors;
- Civil engineering equipment
FAQs related to the Democratic Republic of Congo FERI Certificate
It is another name for a waiver document. It stands for Fiche Électronique des Renseignements a l’Importation.
Yes. There is no restriction in terms of exporting tea into DR Congo. We can provide your FERI certificate if you have the required documents.
They are both the same kind of waiver certificate. Just different country authorities call it their own way. FERI is a certificate name given by DR Congo authorities for the waiver they require from each sea shipment.
Yes, they are two different countries, and their system is different.
FXI is a Unique number that you can find on the GICHE document. The FXI number is mandatory to apply for the Democratic Republic of Congo FERI certificate. If you are an exporter to D.R. Congo, you can ask your importer to apply for the GICHE document.
A sample of an FXI Number
No, FERI is unique and reserved only for one shipment. Every shipment must have a validated FERI number.
No. DR Congo FERI certificate number is not required to show on the Bill of Lading.
Yes. Any party involved in the export process of the goods can apply for a FERI certificate as long as they can submit the required documents to us via email.
General FAQs
GetCTN is an independent consulting firm that helps clients obtain CTN certificates in many African countries. It is an international company with offices in the USA, UK, and UAE, and its sole business is CTN certification; it is not a freight forwarder, importer, or exporter.
The hard copy of the certificate isn’t necessary at all. Instead, the whole process is completed online.
A bill of lading (BL or BoL) is a legal document issued by a carrier to a shipper that details the type, quantity, and destination of the goods being carried.
A commercial invoice is a required document for the export and import clearance process. It is sometimes used for foreign exchange purposes. In the buyer’s country, it is the document their customs officials use to assess import duties and taxes.