General lubricant imports in the DR Congo: data, top suppliers and prices
The DR Congo imported $2.3 million of general lubricant in 2024 (1.7 thousand tonnes). That is 5% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2.3M | 1.7K t |
| 2023 | $2.4M | 1.1K t |
| 2022 | $1.8M | 213 t |
| 2021 | $1.4M | 267 t |
| 2020 | $802K | 194 t |
| 2019 | $1.4M | 293 t |
| 2018 | $670K | 144 t |
| 2017 | $1.6M | 315 t |
Where the DR Congo imports general lubricant from
The largest suppliers were South Africa (49%), Zambia (21%), France (8%). Among the main suppliers, France grew fastest (+110% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $1.2M | 49% |
| Zambia | $498K | 21% |
| France | $196K | 8.4% |
| Belgium | $183K | 7.9% |
| China | $104K | 4.5% |
| Germany | $68K | 2.9% |
| India | $36K | 1.6% |
| Tanzania | $28K | 1.2% |
| Kenya | $23K | 1% |
| Taiwan | $21K | 0.9% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.37 per kg, 72% below the world average of $4.90, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
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 general lubricant imports (HS 3403.19): 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 3403.19: Lubricating preparations: (other than for the treatment of textile and similar materials), containing less than 70% (by weight) of petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals.
Common questions
What is the value of general lubricant imported by the DR Congo?
The DR Congo imported general lubricant worth $2.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.7 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 104th of 222 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 5% on 2023.
Which countries supply general lubricant to the DR Congo?
South Africa was the largest supplier with 49% of the value ($1.2 million), followed by Zambia (21%) and France (8%). The top three together account for 79%, out of 17 supplier countries in total. India grew fastest among the top ten, up 310% on the year.
What is the average import price of general lubricant per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.37 per kg in 2024, 72% below the world average of $4.90 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of general lubricant to the DR Congo changed since 2017?
Imports went from $1.6 million in 2017 to $2.3 million in 2024, an increase of 48%. The peak was 2023 at $2.4 million. Over 8 years the average was $1.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for general lubricant?
The HS code for general lubricant is subheading 3403.19. 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 3403 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX rebuilds the DR Congo trade from the customs records of its trading partners, so the companies shipping to and from it are visible. Ask for a live look at your product.
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