Phones and network equipment imports in the DR Congo: data, top suppliers and prices
The DR Congo imported $186.8 million of phones and network equipment in 2024 (2.2 thousand tonnes). That is 5% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 18% 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 | $186.8M | 2.2K t |
| 2023 | $196.8M | 2.4K t |
| 2022 | $192.6M | 2.5K t |
| 2021 | $168.8M | 2.0K t |
| 2020 | $123.1M | 1.4K t |
| 2019 | $137.6M | 1.2K t |
| 2018 | $83.0M | 831 t |
| 2017 | $59.6M | 897 t |
Where the DR Congo imports phones and network equipment from
China alone supplied 72% of it. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+32% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $133.6M | 72% |
| Hong Kong | $33.3M | 18% |
| United Kingdom | $5.5M | 3% |
| South Africa | $2.5M | 1.3% |
| France | $2.0M | 1.1% |
| Netherlands | $1.8M | 1% |
| Belgium | $1.7M | 0.9% |
| United States | $1.7M | 0.9% |
| Italy | $995K | 0.5% |
| Germany | $576K | 0.3% |
Product types under HS 8517
| 8517.12 | Mobile phones | 41% |
| 8517.62 | Transmission and switching apparatus | 24% |
| 8517.70 | Telephone and communication parts | 23% |
| 8517.61 | Base stations | 8.9% |
| 8517.69 | Communication apparatus (other) | 3.4% |
| 8517.18 | Telephone sets (other) | 0.4% |
| 8517.11 | Cordless telephones | 0.2% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8517.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $86.65 per kg, 64% below the world average of $239.13, 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 phones and network equipment imports (HS 8517): 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: Telephone sets, including smartphones and other telephones for cellular/wireless networks; other apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data (including wired/wireless networks), excluding items of 8443, 8525, 8527, or 8528.
Common questions
What is the value of phones and network equipment imported by the DR Congo?
The DR Congo imported phones and network equipment worth $186.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 105th of 226 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 5% on 2023.
Which countries supply phones and network equipment to the DR Congo?
China was the largest supplier with 72% of the value ($133.6 million), followed by Hong Kong (18%) and the United Kingdom (3%). The top three together account for 92%, out of 48 supplier countries in total. Italy grew fastest among the top ten, up 203% on the year.
What is the average import price of phones and network equipment per kg?
The average declared import value was about $86.65 per kg in 2024, 64% below the world average of $239.13 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of phones and network equipment to the DR Congo changed since 2017?
Imports went from $59.6 million in 2017 to $186.8 million in 2024, an increase of 213%. The peak was 2023 at $196.8 million. Over 8 years the average was $143.5 million a year.
What is the HS code for phones and network equipment?
The HS code for phones and network equipment is heading 8517. In the DR Congo the largest six-digit codes were 8517.12 (41% of the value) and 8517.62 (24%).
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 phones and network equipment trade: top importers and exporters
Phones and network equipment product types in DR Congo
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