Printed books imports in the DR Congo: data, top suppliers and prices
The DR Congo imported $6.4 million of printed books in 2024 (1.5 thousand tonnes). That is 3% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2018, at $10.5 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 | $6.4M | 1.5K t |
| 2023 | $6.2M | 1.6K t |
| 2022 | $4.7M | 975 t |
| 2021 | $7.7M | 1.2K t |
| 2020 | $2.9M | 553 t |
| 2019 | $4.8M | 1.1K t |
| 2018 | $10.5M | 1.3K t |
| 2017 | $4.3M | 1.2K t |
Where the DR Congo imports printed books from
South Africa alone supplied 55% of it. Among the main suppliers, Spain grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $3.5M | 55% |
| India | $571K | 8.9% |
| United Kingdom | $390K | 6.1% |
| China | $283K | 4.4% |
| Belgium | $281K | 4.4% |
| France | $272K | 4.2% |
| United States | $253K | 3.9% |
| Spain | $236K | 3.7% |
| Switzerland | $124K | 1.9% |
| South Korea | $112K | 1.7% |
Product types under HS 4901
| 4901.99 | Printed matter: books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter n.e.c. in item no. 4901.10 or 4901.91 | 82% |
| 4901.10 | Printed single sheets and leaflets | 18% |
| 4901.91 | Printed dictionaries and encyclopaedias | 0.1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 4901.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $4.16 per kg, 56% below the world average of $9.39, 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 printed books imports (HS 4901): 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 4901: Printed books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter, whether or not in single sheets.
Common questions
What is the value of printed books imported by the DR Congo?
The DR Congo imported printed books worth $6.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 118th of 225 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 3% on 2023.
Which countries supply printed books to the DR Congo?
South Africa was the largest supplier with 55% of the value ($3.5 million), followed by India (9%) and the United Kingdom (6%). The top three together account for 70%, out of 34 supplier countries in total. The United States grew fastest among the top ten, up 258% on the year.
What is the average import price of printed books per kg?
The average declared import value was about $4.16 per kg in 2024, 56% below the world average of $9.39 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of printed books to the DR Congo changed since 2017?
Imports went from $4.3 million in 2017 to $6.4 million in 2024, an increase of 50%. The peak was 2018 at $10.5 million. Over 8 years the average was $5.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for printed books?
The HS code for printed books is heading 4901. In the DR Congo the largest six-digit codes were 4901.99 (82% of the value) and 4901.10 (18%).
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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