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Comprehensive Guide

DR Congo FERI Certificate — The Complete Guide

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The FERI (Fiche Électronique de Renseignement à l'Importation) is the mandatory import tracking certificate that must accompany all cargo destined for the Democratic Republic of Congo through the ports of Matadi and Boma. This guide covers who files it, the documents you need, the exact steps, timing and the latest rules — so your cargo clears without fines or demurrage.

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Overview

The FERI (Fiche Électronique de Renseignement à l'Importation) is the mandatory import tracking certificate that must accompany all cargo destined for the Democratic Republic of Congo through the ports of Matadi and Boma. It is issued under the authority of OGEFREM (Office de Gestion du Fret Multimodal), the DRC's public freight-management body based in Kinshasa. The FERI reconciles the Bill of Lading, freight and cargo values from origin through transit to final import, and works alongside the importer's FXI licence. Cargo arriving without a validated FERI faces heavy penalties, clearance delays and possible inability to release the goods until the certificate and taxes are settled.

Discharge ports

MatadiBoma

Required documents

Bill of Lading
Draft or final; weights, seals and discharge port must match the cargo.
Commercial Invoice
HS codes and declared values as shipped.
FDI Document
Fiche de Déclaration à l'Importation, where required.

Application process

  1. 1
    The shipper or freight forwarder opens the FERI file before shipment and validates it before the cargo reaches the DRC.
  2. 2
    Prepare the Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice, Freight Invoice, Packing List and the Customs Declaration (BOE / CE20).
  3. 3
    Our compliance desk validates the freight and cargo data against OGEFREM requirements and the importer's FXI number.
  4. 4
    OGEFREM issues the FERI number, which must accompany the shipment for clearance at Matadi or Boma.
  5. 5
    Validate in good time — surface freight and late filings attract severe OGEFREM penalties before the cargo can be cleared.

Timeline

StepDuration
Submit documentsYour action
Draft & invoice2–4 business hours
Approve draftYour action
PaymentYour action
Final validation2–4 business hours

Special rules & HS codes

FXI licence and the full document set

The FERI links to the importer's FXI licence and typically requires the Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice, Freight Invoice, Packing List and the Customs Declaration (BOE / CE20). OGEFREM applies severe penalties for surface-freight and late filings before the cargo can be cleared at Matadi or Boma.

Frequently asked questions

FERI stands for Fiche Électronique de Renseignement à l'Importation. It is the mandatory OGEFREM import tracking document required for all cargo shipped to the DRC via Matadi and Boma.

The FERI is issued under OGEFREM (Office de Gestion du Fret Multimodal), the DRC's public freight-management authority headquartered in Kinshasa.

Typically the Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice, Freight Invoice, Packing List and the Customs Declaration (BOE / CE20). The FERI also links to the importer's FXI licence number.

Yes. FERI is the DRC's national form of the Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN); both describe the same compulsory import tracking certificate.

Cargo without a validated FERI faces heavy OGEFREM penalties and clearance delays at Matadi or Boma, and may not be released until the certificate and related taxes are settled.

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