top of page

FERI CERTIFICATE

In 2011, the authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo made the FERI certificate a requirement for marine freight. Later on, this law was extended to include road and air freight. As a result of this regulation, FERI is now a required certificate. And if it's missing, it'll have serious implications, including a hefty fine. All ports are required to have a FERI certificate. Matadi, Boma, and Banana are among them.

​​

What is a FERI?

The FERI is the French acronym of “Fiche Electronique des Renseignements a L’ Importation”. It is the document that accompanies all shipments transported by sea to and en route to the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is issued at the consignment port of origin. It is the responsibility of the appointed party for the freight movement of the shipment/consignment, to ensure that the required applicable FERI Certification has been issued. Failing to do so will result in heavy penalties. The control of the Certificates will be undertaken at the DRC ports of entry, ports of consignment origin, and of transit, for shipments that continue en route to the DRC by road or railway, for all shipments. As indicated above, as per regulations, cargo cannot be cleared if the valid required FERI-Certificate is not accompanying the shipment.

Why is a FERI needed?

A FERI document from OGEFREM is needed to ensure the proper regulation and processing of import and export activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). OGEFREM, responsible for managing maritime freight, requires this document to confirm that goods comply with legal, financial, and customs regulations. 

 

An OGEFREM FERI (Ocean Freight) Certificate must be obtained and issued for all ocean freight shipments/consignments originating from a foreign port for end destination DRC for disembarkation at either a DRC port or a transit port for onward shipment to DRC end destination. Failure to subscribe to the required FERI Certification prior to arrival at, and/or at port of disembarkation, will require the responsible exporter/shipper to have to then apply for the required Certification at port of disembarkation and incur penalties.

FERI CERTIFICATION COSTINGS - OCEAN FREIGHT

REF

TYPE OF CARGO

FERI RATE/COST 

20'/6m Container

EUR 60.00

1.0

2.0

40'/12m Container

EUR 110.00

Bulk goods / Ton / Cbm for ONLY:
Food products, Pharmaceutical, Petroleum, EURO .50/Ton or Cbm
Mineral Water, Grey Cement.

EUR .50/Ton or Cbm whichever is greater

3.0

4.0

General Cargo & LCL Consolidations/kg/Cbm. All cargo other than 3.0

EUR 4.00/Ton or Cbm whichever is greater

5.0

FERI Certification Administration

EUR 40.00

View the latest OGEFREM Tarrif Schedule Here:

 

OGEFREM TARRIF SCHEDULE 

What information is required when applying for a FERI Certificate?

  • Name of the Shipper

  • Name of the Consignee

  • Notify Party (if the consignee is a bank or is located outside the DRC)

  • Description of the Commodities

  • Quantities of the goods

  • Total Weight

  • Cubic Meter (CBM)

  • Harmonized System (HS) Code

  • Container Type

  • Container Number

  • Seal Number

  • Note: Ensure that all details on the Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice, and Export Documentation match consistently.

​

What documents is required when applying for a FERI Certificate?

  • Original Bill of Lading, Sea Waybill, Non-Negotiable Bill of Lading, or Airway Bill

  • Commercial Invoice, including the Date, FOB, Freight, Additional Charges (if applicable), and Incoterms

  • Freight Invoice (if the Commercial Invoice is provided on an FOB basis)

  • Packing List

  • Export Documentation

  • FXI

  • Bivac Code

  • Transshipment Information

  • Note: These are mandatory documents required during the application process.

WHAT IS AN INTERVENTION COMMISSION?

Intervention Commission is a charge payable by any Carrier which transports Congolese Freight. It is calculated on the total freight collected/payable on the transportation of Congolese cargo. Certification Costings applicable to the INTERVENTION COMMISSION for all modes of Transport – Ocean, Road & Rail:

INTERVENTION COMMISSION

% of gross freight cost: OR

N/A

USD 1.8% of gross freight cost

% of gross freight cost if: rice, chicken, horse mackerel, fish, grey cement

1.0 

USD 1% of gross freight cost

​

  • For Ocean Freight consignments conveyed directly from port of origin to a DRC port i.e. Matadi or Ponte-Noire & Boma, it can only be paid by the shipping line or their appointed Agent/Freight Forwarder to the Ogefrem offices at the above-mentioned ports of destination.

  • For Ocean Freight consignments being disembarked at a transit port en route to end destination DRC, it can be paid by the shipping line or their appointed agents/freight forwarders at the transit port, or at any stage prior to arrival at the transit port.

  • Road and Railway conveyed consignments will have the Intervention Commission applied at the time of CD application as undertaken by the Freight conveyor/Transporter or their appointed Agents/Freight Forwarder at time of consignment loading. Intervention Commissions not implemented and Certifications not applied for and paid for at time of or before arrival at DRC ports of entry could incur penalties and clearing delays until such time as the applicable freight taxes have been paid.

bottom of page