South Africa to DR Congo: FERI Process for Exporters

The DR Congo FERI is a mandatory cargo tracking document for ocean shipments exported from South Africa with a final destination in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The shipper or freight forwarder must arrange the FERI and provide the validated certificate to the importer.

Without a validated FERI, the importer may face fines, cargo delays, storage charges and customs clearance problems. The certificate must be validated before the vessel arrives at the discharge port, so it should not be left until the final days of the voyage.

This guide explains the documents, responsibilities and application steps for South African exporters shipping cargo to DR Congo.

What Is the DR Congo FERI?

FERI stands for Fiche Électronique de Renseignement à l’Importation. It is the electronic cargo tracking document used by the Democratic Republic of the Congo for incoming shipments.

The FERI records important details about the exporter, importer, vessel, cargo, freight value and transport route. OGEFREM, the country’s multimodal freight management authority, operates the official FERI framework.

Exporters should use the current DR Congo FERI requirements when preparing a shipment. Do not confuse the Democratic Republic of the Congo with the Republic of the Congo. They are separate destinations with different cargo tracking note procedures.

Who Is Responsible for the FERI?

The South African exporter, shipper or freight forwarder is normally responsible for arranging the FERI. However, some of the information must come from the importer in DR Congo.

A practical division of responsibility is:

• Exporter or freight forwarder: Provides the bill of lading, commercial invoice and freight details.
• Importer or consignee: Provides the FXI number and shipper’s subscription number.
• AfricaCTN: Reviews the documents, prepares the draft FERI and submits the approved application for validation.

The FXI number should be requested early. It is connected to the import file created through the DR Congo pre-clearance system and is often the document exporters are still waiting for when the vessel has already sailed.

Documents Required for a South Africa to DR Congo FERI

The standard documents are:

• Bill of Lading: A draft bill of lading is acceptable for starting the application.
• Commercial Invoice: Must show the buyer, seller, goods, value, currency and Incoterm.
• Freight Invoice: Shows the ocean freight cost. It may not be needed separately when the freight value is clearly stated on the commercial invoice.
• FXI Number: Supplied by the importer or consignee in DR Congo.
• Shipper’s Subscription Number: The OGEFREM-linked subscription identifier required for the shipment.

The cargo description, consignee, weight, container numbers, ports and values must match across the documents. A small difference between the commercial invoice and bill of lading can delay draft approval or validation.

South Africa to DR Congo FERI Process

Whether the shipment loads in Durban, Cape Town, Ngqura or another South African port, the FERI process follows the same basic steps. South Africa’s commercial port system handles container, bulk, break-bulk and automotive exports, so the exact carrier documents will depend on the shipment type.

1. Submit Documents: Send the bill of lading, commercial invoice, freight invoice, FXI number and shipper’s subscription number to AfricaCTN.
2. Draft & Invoice: AfricaCTN reviews the file and issues the draft FERI and invoice.
3. Approve: Check the draft carefully. Confirm the shipper, consignee, vessel, voyage, loading port, discharge port, cargo details, weight and freight value.
4. Pay: Pay the invoice after the draft has been approved.
5. Validation: The approved application is submitted for final validation. The validated FERI is then delivered electronically.

The full AfricaCTN application procedure explains how documents, draft approval, payment and final validation are handled.

FERI Deadline and Processing Time

The DR Congo FERI must be validated before the vessel arrives at the discharge port. AfricaCTN recommends submitting the complete file at least three to five business days before that deadline.

Draft preparation may take around two to four business hours when the documents are complete. Final validation generally takes 24 to 48 business hours after the draft has been approved and the invoice has been paid. Authority processing, document corrections and missing importer information can extend this timeline.

Do not wait for the original bill of lading before starting. A draft bill of lading can be used, allowing errors to be identified while there is still time to correct them.

Common Problems for South African Exporters

The most frequent problems are not complicated regulations. They are document and timing issues.

• The importer has not provided the FXI number.
• The shipper’s subscription number is missing or incorrect.
• The freight value is absent from both invoices.
• The consignee details do not match.
• The cargo description is too general.
• The loading or discharge port differs between documents.
• The exporter assumes the South African customs declaration replaces the FERI.
• The draft is approved without checking container, vessel or weight details.

For example, a machinery exporter in Johannesburg may truck the cargo to Durban and receive the draft bill of lading shortly before loading. The exporter should not wait for the vessel to reach Matadi before addressing the FERI. The draft bill, invoice and importer-supplied numbers should be sent as soon as they are available.

What Happens Without a Validated FERI?

A missing or invalid FERI can create problems for the consignee when the cargo reaches DR Congo. Possible consequences include:

• Customs clearance delays
• Fines and administrative penalties
• Storage and demurrage charges
• Cargo holds
• Additional document corrections
• Delayed delivery to the final customer

A draft FERI is not enough. Draft approval, payment and final validation must be completed before the certificate is ready for customs clearance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the FERI application start with a draft bill of lading?

Yes. AfricaCTN can start the application using a draft bill of lading. Any later changes should be reported before final validation.

Who provides the FXI number?

The importer or consignee in DR Congo normally provides the FXI number to the South African exporter or freight forwarder.

Can one FERI cover several bills of lading?

No. Each bill of lading requires its own FERI number. Several containers may be covered by one FERI when they are all recorded under the same bill of lading.

Get Your DR Congo FERI

Send your bill of lading, commercial invoice, freight invoice, FXI number and shipper’s subscription number to AfricaCTN. The team will review the documents, prepare the draft FERI and guide the shipment through final validation.

You can also use the AfricaCTN countries directory to check cargo tracking note requirements for other African destinations.

If your shipment has already left South Africa or the vessel arrival date is close, contact AfricaCTN as soon as possible.