Medical instruments imports in the DR Congo: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of medical instruments by the DR Congo reached $24.4 million in 2024 (4.2 thousand tonnes). Value fell 26% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 10% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2023, at $33.0 million.
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 | $24.4M | 4.2K t |
| 2023 | $33.0M | 5.5K t |
| 2022 | $27.8M | 4.2K t |
| 2021 | $25.8M | 3.7K t |
| 2020 | $19.2M | 3.8K t |
| 2019 | $21.5M | 4.4K t |
| 2018 | $14.1M | 2.5K t |
| 2017 | $12.7M | 2.1K t |
Where the DR Congo imports medical instruments from
Most of the value came from China (35%), United States (22%), India (15%). Among the main suppliers, France grew fastest (+248% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $8.5M | 35% |
| United States | $5.4M | 22% |
| India | $3.7M | 15% |
| Belgium | $2.2M | 8.9% |
| Indonesia | $999K | 4.1% |
| South Africa | $997K | 4.1% |
| France | $651K | 2.7% |
| Kenya | $569K | 2.3% |
| Spain | $230K | 0.9% |
| Pakistan | $202K | 0.8% |
Product types under HS 9018
| 9018.90 | Medical instruments (other) | 53% |
| 9018.31 | Medical syringes | 15% |
| 9018.39 | Catheters and cannulae | 13% |
| 9018.12 | Ultrasound machines | 7.4% |
| 9018.32 | Medical needles | 5.4% |
| 9018.13 | MRI machines | 2.2% |
| 9018.19 | Electrodiagnostic equipment | 1.8% |
| 9018.50 | Ophthalmic instruments | 1.1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 9018.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $5.76 per kg, 85% below the world average of $37.39, 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 medical instruments imports (HS 9018): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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 9018: Instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences, including scintigraphic apparatus, other electro-medical apparatus and sight testing instruments.
Common questions
What is the value of medical instruments imported by the DR Congo?
The DR Congo imported medical instruments worth $24.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 4.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 121st of 226 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 26% on 2023.
Which countries supply medical instruments to the DR Congo?
China was the largest supplier with 35% of the value ($8.5 million), followed by the United States (22%) and India (15%). The top three together account for 72%, out of 35 supplier countries in total. Spain grew fastest among the top ten, up 561% on the year.
What is the average import price of medical instruments per kg?
The average declared import value was about $5.76 per kg in 2024, 85% below the world average of $37.39 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of medical instruments to the DR Congo changed since 2017?
Imports went from $12.7 million in 2017 to $24.4 million in 2024, an increase of 92%. The peak was 2023 at $33.0 million. Over 8 years the average was $22.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for medical instruments?
The HS code for medical instruments is heading 9018. In the DR Congo the largest six-digit codes were 9018.90 (53% of the value) and 9018.31 (15%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For the DR Congo, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
World medical instruments trade: top importers and exporters
Medical instruments product types in DR Congo
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