Cationic surfactant imports in the DR Congo: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, the DR Congo imported cationic surfactant worth $2.6 million (676 tonnes). Value rose 1329% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 97% a year on average.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
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Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2.6M | 676 t |
| 2023 | $181K | 64 t |
| 2022 | $152K | 24 t |
| 2021 | $186K | 67 t |
| 2020 | $44K | 26 t |
| 2019 | $72K | 34 t |
| 2018 | $38K | 14 t |
| 2017 | $23K | 12 t |
Where the DR Congo imports cationic surfactant from
China alone supplied 100% of it. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $2.6M | 100% |
| South Africa | $10K | 0.4% |
| Cote d'Ivoire | $1K | 0.1% |
| France | $1K | 0% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.83 per kg, 53% above the world average of $2.50. This usually points to higher-grade or processed goods.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Who is behind these numbers in the DR Congo?
The shipment records behind DR Congo cationic surfactant imports (HS 3402.12): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 3402.12: Organic surface-active agents: cationic (other than soap), whether or not put up for retail sale.
Common questions
What is the value of cationic surfactant imported by the DR Congo?
The DR Congo imported cationic surfactant worth $2.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 676 tonnes. That ranks it 47th of 183 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports.
Which countries supply cationic surfactant to the DR Congo?
China was the largest supplier with 100% of the value ($2.6 million), followed by South Africa (0%) and Cote d'Ivoire (0%). The top three together account for 100%, out of 4 supplier countries in total.
What is the average import price of cationic surfactant per kg?
The average declared import value was about $3.83 per kg in 2024, 53% above the world average of $2.50 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of cationic surfactant to the DR Congo changed since 2017?
Imports went from $23 thousand in 2017 to $2.6 million in 2024. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $411 thousand a year.
What is the HS code for cationic surfactant?
The HS code for cationic surfactant is subheading 3402.12. It sits in HS chapter 34 (soap, organic surface-active agents; washing, lubricating, polishing or scouring preparations; artificial or prepared waxes, candles and similar articles, modelling pastes, dental waxes and dental preparations with a basis of plaster). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3402 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; EximDataX adds the company names by reading partner countries' customs records for the DR Congo. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
World cationic surfactant trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for the DR Congo
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