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For importers in eastern and southern Congo, the port of Dar es Salaam is one of the most important gateways to the sea. Dar es Salaam to DRC freight covers two very different journeys: west across Tanzania and Rwanda to the Kivus, and south-west through Zambia to the mining provinces of Haut-Katanga and Lualaba.
This guide explains both routes, the documents you need, how customs works for transit cargo and what to watch out for.
Dar es Salaam and the Central Corridor
Tanzania's main seaport is run by the Tanzania Ports Authority (opens in a new tab). Dar es Salaam is the starting point of the Central Corridor, which connects Tanzania's coast to its landlocked neighbours. The Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (opens in a new tab) (CCTTFA), based in Dar es Salaam, coordinates the corridor. Its members are Burundi, the DRC, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
For DRC importers, this means Dar es Salaam is a natural alternative to Mombasa for the east, and the leading East African option for the south-east.
Two routes, two destinations
| Destination | Route | Key borders |
|---|---|---|
| Goma (North Kivu) | Dar es Salaam → across Tanzania → Rwanda → DRC | Rusumo (Tanzania–Rwanda), Rubavu–Goma |
| Bukavu (South Kivu) | Dar es Salaam → across Tanzania → Rwanda → DRC | Rusumo, Rusizi–Bukavu |
| Lubumbashi, Kolwezi (south-east) | Dar es Salaam → southern Tanzania → Zambia → DRC | Tunduma–Nakonde (Tanzania–Zambia), Kasumbalesa (Zambia–DRC) |
Eastern DRC via Rwanda
Trucks leave the port, cross Tanzania to the Rusumo border, enter Rwanda and cross the country to the DRC border. Goma sits directly across from Rubavu at the northern tip of Lake Kivu; Bukavu faces Rusizi at the southern end. Rwanda's new Rubavu Port (opens in a new tab) on Lake Kivu, operational since December 2024, adds a lake option for trade with Goma.
Southern DRC via Zambia
Cargo for Lubumbashi and the Copperbelt region travels south-west through Tanzania into Zambia and enters the DRC at Kasumbalesa. This route is used heavily for mining supplies and equipment. The TAZARA railway (opens in a new tab) also links Tanzania and Zambia, which can be relevant for some bulk cargo. We cover this corridor in detail in Dar es Salaam to Lubumbashi freight.
How customs works on the way
Whichever route you use, your goods are in transit until they reach the DRC:
- At Dar es Salaam, the cargo is declared for transit and released by Tanzanian customs to move under bond.
- In Tanzania, the truck travels under customs control to the exit border.
- In Rwanda or Zambia, a new transit is opened at the entry border and closed at the exit.
- At the DRC border, the Congolese buyer's entry goes to the DGDA (opens in a new tab); after payment and any checks, the cargo is free to deliver.
Each transit stage may require a bond or guarantee. Your forwarder normally arranges these. Our guide to DRC customs clearance for transit cargo explains each step.
Documents for Dar es Salaam to DRC freight
- Bill of lading naming the DRC consignee and showing the DRC as final destination
- Commercial invoice and packing list, consistent with each other
- Transit declarations for Tanzania and each other transit country
- Importer registration details in the DRC
- Permits and certificates for regulated goods
- Cargo-tracking, pre-shipment or inspection documents where required for your goods and routing; confirm these before your supplier ships
Risks and challenges
Border and security conditions. Unrest and public-health emergencies have repeatedly interrupted trade with the Kivus. The most recent example was the Ebola-related shutdown of the Rubavu–Goma posts, which began on 17 May 2026 and lasted around four weeks (The EastAfrican (opens in a new tab)). Verify the situation before each truck departs.
Busy borders on the southern route. Borders on the route to Lubumbashi handle heavy truck traffic, so queues are possible. Documents prepared in advance make the biggest difference.
Container logistics. Long inland journeys make it harder to return empty containers within the free time. Plan this from the start.
Document errors. As on every transit route, inconsistent paperwork is the main avoidable cause of delay.
Dar es Salaam or Mombasa for eastern DRC?
For Goma and Bukavu, importers can choose between Dar es Salaam and Mombasa. Both routes end by crossing Rwanda or, from Mombasa, Uganda. The deciding factors are usually practical rather than geographical:
- Shipping line services. Some carriers offer better schedules or rates to one port from your origin.
- Port conditions at the time. Congestion and dwell times change, so last year's answer may not be this year's.
- Transit countries. From Dar es Salaam the truck crosses Tanzania and Rwanda; from Mombasa it crosses Kenya, Uganda and often Rwanda. Fewer countries can mean fewer transit procedures.
- Return of empty containers. Ask where the empty must be returned and how long that takes.
A forwarder working on both corridors can compare the two for each shipment. Our guide to Mombasa to DRC freight covers the northern option.
How to prepare
- Decide the destination first: east (via Rwanda) or south-east (via Zambia).
- Agree terms with your supplier, including who appoints the forwarder and who pays for the inland leg.
- Get draft documents before the ship sails and check names, values and weights.
- Check DRC requirements for your products.
- Insure the cargo for the full journey with cargo insurance.
- Confirm the border situation before the truck leaves the port.
How our team handles Dar es Salaam to DRC cargo
We move transit cargo to Goma and Bukavu across Tanzania and Rwanda. On the Dar es Salaam to DRC route we check documents before arrival, handle the transit at the port, organise trucking across Tanzania and Rwanda, coordinate the border crossings and hand the cargo over for clearance in the DRC. See our Dar es Salaam to DRC logistics service and our cross-border logistics page.
For southern DRC, contact us to discuss your shipment. For a broader overview of everything that leaves Dar es Salaam, read how to ship cargo from Dar es Salaam.
Conclusion
Dar es Salaam to DRC freight is really two routes: one to the Kivus through Rwanda, and one to Haut-Katanga through Zambia. Choose the right one for your destination, keep the cargo correctly in transit until it reaches the DRC, and prepare documents before the vessel arrives. When you are ready, request a quote and our Kigali team will plan the shipment with you.
Sources: Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (opens in a new tab); Tanzania Ports Authority (opens in a new tab); Rwanda Ministry of Infrastructure, Rubavu Port (opens in a new tab); The EastAfrican (2026) (opens in a new tab); DGDA (opens in a new tab); TAZARA (opens in a new tab).
Frequently asked questions
Which DRC cities can be reached from Dar es Salaam?
Eastern cities such as Goma and Bukavu, usually through Rwanda, and south-eastern cities such as Lubumbashi and Kolwezi, usually through Zambia. Kinshasa in the west is normally served via the Atlantic port of Matadi.
Which border do trucks use from Rwanda into the DRC?
Goma is reached from Rubavu and Bukavu from Rusizi. The best crossing depends on the destination and the conditions at the time.
Who handles customs clearance in the DRC?
The Direction Générale des Douanes et Accises (DGDA). Tanzania and the countries crossed handle the cargo as transit.
Is the route via Zambia part of the Central Corridor?
The Central Corridor agency's members include Tanzania, the DRC and Zambia, among others. The southern route through Tunduma–Nakonde and Kasumbalesa is a different road from the Rwanda route but also starts at Dar es Salaam.
How long does Dar es Salaam to DRC freight take?
It varies with port dwell time, documents, the route, border processing and road conditions. A forwarder should give you an estimate for your specific shipment rather than a general figure.
Published · Last updated
Haraka Freight International Ltd is a logistics company based at Ituze House, KG 11 Avenue, Bibare, Kigali, Rwanda. We handle freight forwarding, customs clearance, IOR/EOR and DDP shipments, warehousing, trucking and regional distribution in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, with transit cargo to Goma and Bukavu.
