Gold Export Laws and Regulations in Congo 2026 — Complete Legal Guide for the DRC

Learn about gold export laws and regulations in Congo (DRC), including licensing requirements, export permits, taxes, due diligence procedures, and the legal steps for buying and exporting gold from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Exporting gold from the Democratic Republic of Congo is legal, profitable, and fully achievable — provided you follow the correct licensing pathway, prepare the required documentation package, pay the applicable taxes and inspection fees, and work with a licensed mineral trading company that holds the regulatory credentials your downstream buyers and importing authorities will require.

Africa Gold Suppliers Limited operates with valid Congolese mineral trading licences, maintains full OECD Due Diligence Guidance compliance for our DRC supply chain, and manages the complete export documentation process on behalf of international buyers sourcing gold from Congo.

This guide covers everything exporters, investors, and gold buyers need to know about gold export laws and regulations in the DRC in 2026 — the governing legal framework, the licences required at each stage, the full documentation checklist, the applicable tax and fee structure, logistical requirements, the most significant recent regulatory changes, and practical best practices for navigating the Congolese gold export process compliantly and efficiently.

Why the DRC Is One of Africa’s Most Important Gold Export Markets

The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of Africa’s largest gold producers and among the most mineral-rich nations on earth. Gold deposits of significant scale are concentrated in the eastern and northeastern provinces — Ituri, South Kivu, Maniema, North Kivu, and Haut-Uélé — where both industrial mining operations and an enormous artisanal and small-scale mining (ASGM) sector together produce over 100 tonnes of gold per year.

This output, valued at current June 2026 spot prices of approximately $4,079–$4,224 per troy ounce, represents annual export potential in excess of $13 billion — a figure that would transform Congo’s economy if fully captured through formal export channels.

The DRC’s gold trade attracts buyers from across the globe — UAE refining houses in Dubai’s DMCC, Swiss and Italian jewellery manufacturers, US and European institutional investors, and Asian commodity traders — because Congolese gold combines mine-direct competitive pricing with the high inherent purity of its source deposits. South Kivu’s artisanal and alluvial gold regularly refines to 95%+ natural purity before any formal processing, making it excellent raw material for refineries seeking high-quality feedstock at below-market-rate entry costs.

The challenge is not the geology. It is the compliance framework. Understanding and correctly navigating DRC gold export law is what separates legitimate, bankable gold transactions from the informal flows that account for the majority of eastern Congo’s gold leaving the country undocumented.

Our gold mining in Congo and buy gold in Congo guides provide essential sector context for buyers approaching the DRC gold market for the first time.

The Legal Framework Governing Gold Export in the DRC — 2026

DRC gold export law is primarily codified in the Mining Code of 2002 (Loi n°007/2002 du 11 juillet 2002), as comprehensively amended by Law No. 18/001 of March 9, 2018, and supplemented by the Mining Regulations (Décret no 038/2003) that establish the operational rules for licences, taxation, and compliance. The 2018 amendments introduced significant changes — increasing royalty rates, strengthening due diligence requirements, and creating new mechanisms for artisanal mining formalisation — that remain the operative framework in 2026.

Beyond domestic law, the DRC is party to several international regulatory frameworks that shape gold export compliance requirements, particularly for gold destined for European, North American, and major Asian markets:

The OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas (3TG+ framework) requires that companies importing DRC-origin gold into OECD member countries apply a five-step due diligence process covering supply chain mapping, risk identification, risk mitigation, third-party audit, and public reporting. This is not optional for European or US institutional buyers — it is a mandatory compliance obligation.

The International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) Regional Certification Mechanism (RCM) provides a regional framework for certifying that minerals exported from ICGLR member states — including the DRC, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania — are conflict-free and legally traded. Gold carrying ICGLR certification is materially easier to place in European and North American markets than uncertified material.

The EU Conflict Minerals Regulation (EU 2017/821), in force since January 2021, requires EU-based importers and processors of tin, tungsten, tantalum, and gold from conflict-affected regions to comply with OECD Due Diligence standards — adding a legal import compliance dimension on the buyer’s side that mirrors the export compliance dimension on the DRC seller’s side.

Understanding both sides of this compliance equation — DRC export law and destination-country import law — is essential for any party engaged in DRC gold export aimed at institutional or regulated market buyers.

Key Regulatory Bodies Overseeing Gold Export in the DRC

Five principal institutions exercise regulatory oversight over the DRC gold export process, and understanding their respective roles eliminates confusion about which authority is responsible for each stage of the compliance process.

Ministry of Mines (Ministère des Mines) is the apex regulatory authority for the mining and mineral trade sector. It grants mineral trading licences, issues export permits, sets policy frameworks, and prosecutes violations of the Mining Code. All licensing applications ultimately trace through Ministry of Mines approval.

Mining Cadastre (CAMI — Cadastre Minier) manages the registry of mining rights, exploration permits, and exploitation concessions. CAMI’s records establish the legal provenance of gold from specific concession areas — essential for the Chain of Custody documentation that OECD Due Diligence requires.

Centre d’Expertise, d’Évaluation et de Certification (CEEC) is the technical body responsible for assaying, evaluating, and certifying mineral exports. CEEC issues the Certificates of Origin that confirm DRC gold is conflict-free and legally sourced — the single most important document for international market access. CEEC also verifies gold purity and weight before export.

Congolese Customs Service (DGDA — Direction Générale des Douanes et Accises) enforces customs regulations at all DRC ports of exit, processes customs declarations, and collects export duties. The DGDA’s clearance signature is required before any gold shipment can legally depart the DRC.

Office Congolais de Contrôle (OCC) conducts quality control inspections and Bureau Veritas (BIVAC) performs mandatory pre-shipment inspections for all consignments valued at USD $2,500 or more. Both institutions issue inspection certificates that form part of the mandatory documentation package.

Licences Required for Gold Export in the DRC — 2026

Three distinct licences are required at different stages of the DRC gold supply chain, and understanding which party holds which licence is critical for structuring legally compliant transactions.

1. Mineral Trading Licence (Agrément de Négociant en Substances Minérales)

The Mineral Trading Licence is the foundational operating credential for any company that buys, sells, or trades gold within the DRC. It is issued by the Ministry of Mines and is required before any other gold-related activity can be conducted legally. Application requirements include proof of financial capacity, valid business registration with the Registre du Commerce et du Crédit Mobilier (RCCM), compliance with environmental and labour law requirements, and submission of a compliance programme demonstrating how the applicant will meet OECD Due Diligence obligations.

Only companies holding a valid Mineral Trading Licence can legally purchase gold from artisanal miners or mining cooperatives, aggregate gold for export, or enter into gold supply agreements with international buyers. Africa Gold Suppliers Limited holds this licence and provides documentation on request to all verified international buyers.

2. Gold Export Licence (Permis d’Exportation)

A separate Export Licence is required for each individual gold shipment leaving the DRC. It is issued by the Ministry of Mines on a per-shipment basis and cannot be used for multiple consignments. Required documentation for each Export Licence application includes a valid Mineral Trading Licence, an assay report from CEEC verifying purity and weight, proof of payment of all applicable taxes and royalties, and a Certificate of Origin from CEEC.

The per-shipment nature of the Export Licence — as opposed to a blanket annual permit — means that every DRC gold export requires a fresh authorisation cycle. For frequent exporters, this creates operational cadence requirements that must be built into transaction timelines.

3. Artisanal Mining Card (Carte d’Exploitant Artisanal)

Artisanal miners — who account for the majority of eastern DRC’s gold production — are required to hold a Carte d’Exploitant Artisanal issued by the provincial mining division. This card is obtained through registration with a recognised artisanal mining cooperative and payment of annual fees.

The card’s existence in the supply chain is what makes the gold produced by that miner traceable to a registered, documented source — a critical element of the Chain of Custody records that OECD Due Diligence requires.

Africa Gold Suppliers Limited works exclusively with licensed trading cooperatives whose member miners hold valid Artisanal Mining Cards, providing the supply chain documentation foundation that our international buyers’ compliance teams require.

Complete Documentation Checklist for DRC Gold Exports

The following documents are required for every legal DRC gold export consignment. Missing any of these will result in shipment delays, customs detention, or confiscation.

Assay Report — Issued by CEEC or an CEEC-recognised accredited laboratory. Must confirm the gold’s purity percentage (typically 99.99% for refined gold, 85–96% for doré), weight in grams or kilograms, and assay date. This is the quality verification that importing refineries and customs authorities will examine first.

Certificate of Origin — Issued by CEEC, confirming that the gold originates from a specific mine source province, was produced by registered artisanal miners or licensed industrial operations, and is conflict-free. Without a CEEC Certificate of Origin, the gold cannot be legally exported from the DRC and will not be accepted by OECD-compliant downstream buyers.

Gold Export Licence — Per-shipment permit issued by the Ministry of Mines, as described above.

Commercial Invoice — Details the transaction including gold quantity, weight, purity, agreed price referenced to the LBMA spot price, buyer and seller information, and payment terms.

Customs Declaration Form — Submitted to the DGDA at the point of export, providing full shipment particulars for duty assessment and clearance.

Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate — Issued by Bureau Veritas (BIVAC) after physical inspection of the consignment. Required for all shipments valued at USD $2,500 or more. Buyers submit their commercial invoice to BIVAC, which assigns an inspection code, conducts the physical inspection, and issues its certificate before export is authorised.

OCC Quality Control Certificate — Issued by the Office Congolais de Contrôle following its own independent quality and quantity verification.

Proof of Tax and Royalty Payments — Official receipts showing payment of all applicable export duties, royalties, and inspection fees. Shipments cannot be cleared through customs until all payments are verified.

AML/KYC and OECD Due Diligence Documentation — The supply chain records required to demonstrate OECD 3TG+ compliance: cooperative membership records, mining site identification, Chain of Custody records from mine to export point, and evidence of risk assessment and mitigation procedures.

Airway Bill / Bill of Lading — Transport documentation from the logistics carrier (Brinks, Malca-Amit, or equivalent specialist precious cargo carrier).

Packing List — Itemised list of the shipment’s contents and packaging, confirming weights and dimensions.

Africa Gold Suppliers Limited prepares and manages this complete documentation package for every DRC gold export we facilitate. Buyers receive copies of all documents before the shipment departs our facility. For a comparison of documentation requirements across different African producing countries, our exporting gold from Uganda, gold export tax in Tanzania, and gold export regulations in Kenya pages provide useful regional context.

DRC Gold Export Taxes and Fees — 2026 Reference

The following taxes and fees apply to gold exports from the Democratic Republic of Congo under the 2018 Mining Code and current fiscal regulations:

Tax / Fee	Rate	Basis	Notes
Export Duty	1%	FOB value	Artisanal gold may benefit from preferential rates under specific bilateral agreements
Mining Royalty	3.5%	Gold value	Applies to large-scale industrial mining; artisanal mining may pay reduced rates or be exempt
BIVAC Pre-Shipment Inspection Fee	0.75%	FOB value	Mandatory for all shipments above USD $2,500
OCC Quality Control Fee	2%	FOB value	Payable to Office Congolais de Contrôle
Provincial Taxes	Varies	FOB value	South Kivu and Ituri impose additional provincial levies; rates vary by province and year
CEEC Certification Fee	Fixed rate	Per kg	Varies by gold weight and purity level

Total effective export tax burden on DRC gold at standard rates is approximately 7–9% of FOB value including all fees — somewhat higher than comparable rates in Uganda (0–2%) or Tanzania (3–5%), but partially offset by the lower mine-gate gold prices available from DRC artisanal sources.

For buyers comparing sourcing costs across African producing nations, our gold price in Africa regional overview and the country comparison table in our buy gold bars from Africa guide provide quantified pricing comparisons.

Non-compliance with DRC gold tax obligations carries serious consequences. The DRC government estimates that non-compliant mining practices result in approximately $8.5 billion in annual revenue losses — a figure that has motivated increasingly aggressive enforcement action and explains why customs authorities at DRC ports of exit apply rigorous documentation verification to all mineral export shipments.

Step-by-Step Process for Legally Exporting Gold from the DRC

Whether you are an international buyer arranging your first DRC gold purchase or an experienced mineral trader expanding your supply chain, this step-by-step DRC gold export process provides the operational roadmap for compliant execution.

Step 1 — Source gold from licensed suppliers. Only gold purchased from companies holding valid Mineral Trading Licences enters legal export supply chains. Africa Gold Suppliers Limited sources exclusively from licensed artisanal mining cooperatives whose members hold valid Artisanal Mining Cards, maintaining the Chain of Custody records from mine source to export point that OECD Due Diligence requires. Our gold from Congo page describes our DRC sourcing framework in detail.

Step 2 — Conduct OECD Due Diligence. Before any gold can be aggregated for export, the OECD 5-step due diligence process must be completed: establish strong company management systems, identify and assess risks in the supply chain, design and implement a risk management strategy, carry out independent third-party audit of supply chain due diligence at identified critical points, and report annually on supply chain due diligence.

Africa Gold Suppliers Limited maintains current OECD Due Diligence documentation for all our DRC-origin supply chains.

Step 3 — Apply for and receive a Mineral Trading Licence. For companies establishing their own DRC trading operations, the Mineral Trading Licence application is submitted to the Ministry of Mines with the full documentation package described above. Processing times typically range from 3–8 weeks.

Step 4 — Arrange CEEC assay and certification. Once the gold is aggregated at a licensed refinery or consolidation point, submit the consignment to CEEC for formal assay, weight verification, purity confirmation, and issuance of the Certificate of Origin. CEEC assay typically takes 3–5 business days.

Step 5 — Apply for the Export Licence. Submit the CEEC assay report, Certificate of Origin, tax payment receipts, and valid Mineral Trading Licence to the Ministry of Mines. Export Licence issuance typically takes 5–10 business days from complete application.

Step 6 — Arrange BIVAC pre-shipment inspection. Contact Bureau Veritas BIVAC with the commercial invoice and Export Licence. BIVAC assigns an inspection code, conducts its physical examination of the consignment, and issues its Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate.

Step 7 — Pay all taxes and fees. Settle the export duty (1%), royalties (3.5% where applicable), BIVAC fee (0.75%), OCC fee (2%), and any provincial levies. Obtain official receipts for all payments.

Step 8 — Submit customs declaration and clear DGDA. Submit the complete documentation package to the DGDA at the point of exit. For air cargo from Kinshasa (N’djili Airport) or Goma, pre-customs clearances are processed through the GUICE electronic platform (segucerdc.com). The DGDA reviews documentation, conducts its own inspection, and issues the customs clearance that authorises departure.

Step 9 — Dispatch via specialist cargo carrier. Gold must travel via registered precious cargo logistics specialists — Brinks and Malca-Amit are the dominant carriers for DRC gold air cargo, operating from both Kinshasa and Goma airports. Maritime shipping is rarely used for DRC gold exports due to infrastructure constraints. Your carrier provides the Airway Bill that completes the documentation package.

Step 10 — Provide buyer with complete documentation package. The buyer receives copies of all export documents — assay certificate, Certificate of Origin, Export Licence, BIVAC certificate, OCC certificate, customs clearance, and Airway Bill — before or concurrent with delivery. This package is what importing authorities, downstream refineries, and compliance auditors will examine.

Logistical Requirements for DRC Gold Shipments

Security and carrier selection are non-negotiable for DRC gold exports. Gold in transit represents a high-value theft target, and only specialist precious cargo carriers with the insurance capacity, GPS tracking infrastructure, and customs bonding credentials to handle gold legally should be engaged. Brinks and Malca-Amit are the two primary carriers used by legitimate DRC gold exporters; smaller or informal logistics providers should not be trusted with gold shipments regardless of claimed cost advantages.

Insurance must be declared-value comprehensive cargo insurance — not the basic carrier liability that covers only a fraction of the gold’s actual value. Africa Gold Suppliers Limited arranges full declared-value insurance on every shipment we manage, with the insurance certificate forming part of the documentation package provided to buyers.

Packaging must be tamper-evident, vacuum-sealed where applicable, and meet the specific packaging standards of your carrier. Each parcel is individually weighed, photographed, and serial-numbered before sealing to create a verifiable pre-departure record.

Electronic customs processing through the GUICE platform (segucerdc.com) has been implemented at major DRC points of export and significantly reduces processing time compared to paper-based customs submissions. Exporters with regular shipment cadences should register on the platform for efficient pre-clearance processing.

Recent Regulatory Developments in DRC Gold Export Law — 2025/2026

DRC-UAE Gold Export Agreement: The 25-year agreement granting a UAE-affiliated entity preferential access to export DRC artisanal gold — announced in 2023 — has continued to draw international scrutiny in 2025 and 2026 for its lack of transparency regarding the specific tax rates, preferential terms, and due diligence standards applied under the arrangement. International mining transparency organisations and civil society groups continue to monitor the agreement’s implementation.

Buyers sourcing DRC gold should be aware that this arrangement does not supersede standard OECD Due Diligence obligations for downstream buyers in OECD member countries.

USAID Zahabu Safi Programme: The US Agency for International Development’s “Commercially Viable Conflict-Free Gold Project” (Zahabu Safi — “clean gold” in Swahili) continues to expand its operational footprint in eastern DRC, supporting artisanal mining cooperatives in establishing the traceability systems, CEEC certification processes, and bank account infrastructure that bring their gold into formal, documented, AML/KYC-compliant supply chains.

Gold sourced through Zahabu Safi-participating cooperatives carries enhanced conflict-free credibility for buyers in US and European regulated markets.

Digital traceability expansion: The DRC Ministry of Mines expanded its digital mineral traceability programme in 2025, with a mobile application now used to register and track approximately 1.2 million artisanal miners’ production at the site level.

This system, when properly implemented, provides the mine-to-export Chain of Custody records that OECD Due Diligence compliance requires and that buyers increasingly demand.

Major Challenges in DRC Gold Export — What Buyers Need to Know

Honest engagement with the DRC gold market requires acknowledging its structural challenges, which are real and material even for buyers working with licensed suppliers.

Artisanal gold smuggling is the most significant structural problem in the DRC gold sector. Credible estimates suggest that over 90% of artisanal gold production in eastern DRC leaves the country through informal, undocumented channels — primarily through Uganda and Rwanda — bypassing DRC export taxes and CEEC certification entirely. This massive informal flow represents lost government revenue, absent traceability records, and the supply chain opacity that enables conflict mineral financing. It also depresses the pricing benchmark that formal-channel gold must compete against, creating commercial pressure on licensed exporters. Our gold smuggling in Africa article explains the downstream liability implications for buyers who inadvertently purchase smuggled gold.

Conflict mineral risks in eastern DRC remain significant despite years of international intervention. Armed groups continue to tax and control mining sites in parts of South Kivu, Ituri, and North Kivu, meaning that gold from certain geographic areas may carry conflict financing risk regardless of how well it is documented once it reaches trading centres.

Rigorous mine-site level due diligence — verifying that specific cooperatives operate in areas without armed group presence — is the only protection against this risk.

Institutional corruption facilitates illegal gold trade at multiple points in the supply chain, from fraudulent CEEC certificates to bribed customs officials. Working with established, internationally visible suppliers with reputational skin in the game provides the most reliable protection against corruption-compromised supply chains.

Best Practices for Buyers and Exporters in the DRC Gold Market

Experienced international buyers of DRC gold apply the following practices consistently to protect their supply chains, comply with their regulatory obligations, and access the genuine value that Congo’s gold deposits offer.

Work exclusively with licensed, documented suppliers. The Mineral Trading Licence is the minimum credential — also confirm that your supplier maintains current OECD Due Diligence documentation and has an established track record of CEEC-certified exports. Africa Gold Suppliers Limited provides all of this documentation on request.

Conduct your own supply chain due diligence. Do not rely solely on your supplier’s documentation. OECD Due Diligence requires the importing party to conduct its own independent assessment — supplier-provided documents are the starting point, not the conclusion, of your due diligence process.

Use bank-to-bank payment with corporate accounts. All legitimate DRC gold transactions use international bank wire transfer to corporate accounts with full AML/KYC documentation. Any request for informal payment channels, cryptocurrency to anonymous wallets, or cash is a definitive fraud indicator.

Engage specialist legal and logistics support. The DRC gold export process involves multiple regulatory agencies, multiple payment obligations, and logistics that require specialist expertise. Working with an experienced exporter who manages these elements on your behalf — as Africa Gold Suppliers Limited does — is far more cost-efficient than navigating them independently. Our contact page is the fastest route to discussing your specific sourcing requirements.

Stay current with regulatory developments. DRC mining law, bilateral trade agreements, and international due diligence frameworks all evolve. Subscribe to Ministry of Mines communications, OECD guidance updates, and ICGLR certification developments to ensure your compliance programme reflects current requirements.

Africa Gold Suppliers Limited — Your Licensed DRC Gold Export Partner

Africa Gold Suppliers Limited has operated in the DRC gold market for over a decade, maintaining the licences, supply chain relationships, and OECD compliance infrastructure that international buyers require. We supply 24K gold bars, gold nuggets, gold dore bars, raw gold, and gold coins from Congo with the complete CEEC-certified documentation package, insured international delivery, and the responsive service that buyers engaged in time-sensitive transactions need.

Whether you are sourcing DRC gold for the first time or expanding an existing programme, our team in Kinshasa and Kampala is available to discuss your requirements, provide current pricing referenced to live LBMA spot rates, and walk you through the complete export process. Contact Africa Gold Suppliers Limited today — we respond within 24 hours.