Frozen Fish, DR Congo: CFR Matadi

Products in highest demand

Atlantic horse mackerel

Whole round, 16+, 18+, 20+, 23+ and 25+ cm, packed in 20 kg cartons (1 × 20 kg or 2 × 10 kg) or 30 kg carton (3 × 10 kg).

Block frozen or IQF, 200/400, 300/500, 400/600 g and 600 g+; or 16+, 20+, 23+, 25+ cm depending on origin, packed in 20 kg net cartons (one 20 kg block or two 10 kg blocks); 30 kg (three 10 kg blocks) for colias.

tilapia

Whole round, ungutted, 300–500 g, 500–800 g, 800 g and above, packed in 10 kg cartons, usually two 5 kg blocks.

sardinella

Whole round, 16+, 20+ and 25+ cm, packed in 20 kg cartons (one 20 kg block or two 10 kg blocks) or 30 kg carton (three 10 kg blocks).

herring

Whole round, 150–200 g, 200–300 g, 300 g and above, packed in 20 kg cartons (one 20 kg block or two 10 kg blocks) or 30 kg carton (three 10 kg blocks).

hake

Whole round, up to 1 kg; 1 kg and above, packed in 10 kg cartons.

Also supplied on this corridor

Jack Mackerel

Shipping and trade terms

Incoterms: CFR Matadi (default), CIF on request
Equipment: 40ft Reefer, High Cube, set at -18 °C
Load per container: about 26 t net (25–27.5 t depending on product and packing), FCL only
Packing: Bulk cartons 10 / 20 kg, whole round, IQF on request
Transit time: longer than to Pointe-Noire: most services tranship; the exact transit is stated in each offer
Origins: North-East and Central-East Atlantic; South-East Pacific (Chile and Peru); Asian aquaculture for tilapia, on buyer approval

Documents and compliance

Origin health certificate, certificate of origin, invoice, packing list and bill of lading, in French
Pre-shipment inspection by the approved inspection body for imports above USD 2,500 FOB; FERI for each bill of lading
Current requirements are confirmed by the importer and its clearing agent.
Container temperature recorder on request

Buyer questions

Which frozen fish sell best in DR Congo?

Market demand in DR Congo commonly includes Horse Mackerel (chinchard), Mackerel and Tilapia; the exact mix is agreed with each buyer.

Do you sell less than a full container?

No. This corridor is quoted in full container loads (FCL) of about 26 t net (25–27.5 t depending on product and packing), which keeps the landed cost per kilo competitive. Mixed loads combining several items in one container are possible.

Which Incoterm applies?

Quotes default to CFR Matadi: the seller pays the freight and the importer insures the cargo with an insurer licensed in the DR Congo, as Congolese law requires. CIF on request.

How do containers reach Kinshasa from Matadi?

By road on National Route 1, about 355 km. The importer arranges the inland transport and clearance; we deliver to Matadi.

Which controls apply to frozen food in the DR Congo?

Imports above USD 2,500 FOB are inspected before shipment by the approved inspection body, a FERI is needed for each bill of lading, and the OCC controls food on arrival. Current requirements are confirmed by the importer and its clearing agent.