Motor vehicle lights imports in the DR Congo: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of motor vehicle lights by the DR Congo reached $2.1 million in 2024 (177 tonnes). Value fell 40% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 11% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2023, at $3.5 million.
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 | $2.1M | 177 t |
| 2023 | $3.5M | 241 t |
| 2022 | $3.3M | 286 t |
| 2021 | $1.6M | 142 t |
| 2020 | $1.4M | 111 t |
| 2019 | $1.1M | 37 t |
| 2018 | $1.3M | 106 t |
| 2017 | $977K | 28 t |
Where the DR Congo imports motor vehicle lights from
China alone supplied 67% of it. Among the main suppliers, India grew fastest (+236% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $1.4M | 67% |
| South Africa | $407K | 20% |
| India | $140K | 6.7% |
| Netherlands | $61K | 2.9% |
| Belgium | $35K | 1.7% |
| Germany | $16K | 0.8% |
| Zambia | $12K | 0.6% |
| Brazil | $6K | 0.3% |
| Italy | $3K | 0.1% |
| Uganda | $2K | 0.1% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $11.70 per kg, 63% below the world average of $31.51, 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 motor vehicle lights imports (HS 8512.20): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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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 8512.20: Lighting or visual signalling equipment: electrical, of a kind used on motor vehicles (excluding articles of heading no. 8539).
Common questions
What is the value of motor vehicle lights imported by the DR Congo?
The DR Congo imported motor vehicle lights worth $2.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 177 tonnes. That ranks it 125th of 221 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 40% on 2023.
Which countries supply motor vehicle lights to the DR Congo?
China was the largest supplier with 67% of the value ($1.4 million), followed by South Africa (20%) and India (7%). The top three together account for 93%, out of 20 supplier countries in total. India grew fastest among the top ten, up 236% on the year.
What is the average import price of motor vehicle lights per kg?
The average declared import value was about $11.70 per kg in 2024, 63% below the world average of $31.51 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of motor vehicle lights to the DR Congo changed since 2017?
Imports went from $977 thousand in 2017 to $2.1 million in 2024, an increase of 112%. The peak was 2023 at $3.5 million. Over 8 years the average was $1.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for motor vehicle lights?
The HS code for motor vehicle lights is subheading 8512.20. 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 8512 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.
Same product, other countries
World motor vehicle lights trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for the DR Congo
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