Mobile phones imports in the DR Congo: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of mobile phones by the DR Congo reached $75.9 million in 2024 (651 tonnes). That is 17% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 17% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2021, at $97.3 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 | $75.9M | 651 t |
| 2023 | $91.3M | 695 t |
| 2022 | $82.2M | 557 t |
| 2021 | $97.3M | 741 t |
| 2020 | $77.7M | 664 t |
| 2019 | $63.7M | 329 t |
| 2018 | $35.7M | 268 t |
| 2017 | $24.7M | 32 t |
Where the DR Congo imports mobile phones from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 78% of the value. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+73% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $59.4M | 78% |
| Hong Kong | $16.1M | 21% |
| South Africa | $151K | 0.2% |
| Belgium | $66K | 0.1% |
| United Kingdom | $32K | 0% |
| France | $27K | 0% |
| Uganda | $13K | 0% |
| Denmark | $11K | 0% |
| South Korea | $9K | 0% |
| India | $7K | 0% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $116.58 per kg, 64% below the world average of $321.06, 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 mobile phones imports (HS 8517.12): 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 8517.12: Telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks.
Common questions
What is the value of mobile phones imported by the DR Congo?
The DR Congo imported mobile phones worth $75.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 651 tonnes. That ranks it 108th of 220 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 17% on 2023.
Which countries supply mobile phones to the DR Congo?
China was the largest supplier with 78% of the value ($59.4 million), followed by Hong Kong (21%) and South Africa (0%). The top three together account for 100%, out of 25 supplier countries in total. India grew fastest among the top ten, up 767% on the year.
What is the average import price of mobile phones per kg?
The average declared import value was about $116.58 per kg in 2024, 64% below the world average of $321.06 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of mobile phones to the DR Congo changed since 2017?
Imports went from $24.7 million in 2017 to $75.9 million in 2024, an increase of 207%. The peak was 2021 at $97.3 million. Over 8 years the average was $68.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for mobile phones?
The HS code for mobile phones is subheading 8517.12. It sits in HS chapter 85 (electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers; television image and sound recorders and reproducers, parts and accessories of such articles). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8517 page.
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.
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