DR Congo Joins East Africa’s Unified Customs Network

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) has officially completed integration into the East African Community’s (EAC) Single Customs Territory (SCT) platform, marking a pivotal step toward deeper regional trade integration.

The move connects DR Congo’s customs system in real time with those of other EAC partner states, enabling seamless data exchange between national customs authorities and port operators across the bloc. This integration was made possible through upgrades to the SCT Centralized Platform, spearheaded by the EAC Secretariat to harmonize cross-border trade procedures.

A key enhancement to the platform now allows the real-time sharing of cargo scanner images – dramatically increasing transparency and reducing opportunities for fraud or delays. Such interoperability is essential to the EAC’s unique “destination model,” under which customs duties are assessed and paid in the final country of delivery, based on inspections conducted by officials stationed at entry ports.

With DR Congo’s full connectivity, goods transiting the vital Northern Corridor – including key trade routes through Mombasa and Dar es Salaam – are expected to clear faster, cutting transport times, lowering compliance costs, and improving supply chain predictability for businesses.

DR Congo is the fifth EAC member to achieve full SCT integration. Burundi remains partially connected, while South Sudan and Somalia have yet to join the system.

The milestone underscores Kinshasa’s commitment to regional economic alignment and positions DR Congo to better leverage its strategic geographic and resource advantages within East Africa’s fast-evolving trade landscape.