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The twenty imports the Republic of the Congo is best placed to replace.

The Republic of the Congo imported USD 3.2bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 103m. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well, with how concentrated the supply of each is.

USD 525mthe twenty, imported in 2024
30products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
60products the Republic of the Congo already exports well
68product lines imported at USD 10m or more
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, the nearest thing the Republic of the Congo already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in the Republic of the Congo would pay. That reason is not in any trade record, and it is the maker's question.

This edition is trade and capability only, scored out of 8. The UK edition adds which public bodies buy each product and which region holds the capability; those layers are built only where a country publishes contract awards and regional trade, and the Republic of the Congo does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses...HS 300490

    Comes fromFrance 66%, 31 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 275k
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 44m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 31 per cent (1); France supplies 66 per cent (2).

    USD 44mdown 18% on 2022
  2. 2

    Footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or...HS 640299

    Comes fromChina 97%, 12 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 27m, top 21 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to the Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 19 per cent (2); China supplies 97 per cent (2).

    USD 27mup 12% on 2022
  3. 3

    T-shirts, singlets and other vests: of textile materials (other than cotton), knitted or crochetedHS 610990

    Comes fromChina 95%, 17 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSuits: women's or girls', of cotton (not knitted or crocheted) (exports USD 42k)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well41

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 25m, top 29 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to the Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 7 per cent (3); China supplies 95 per cent (2).

    USD 25mup 162% on 2022
  4. 4

    Boring or sinking machinery: parts for boring or sinking machinery of subheading 8430.41 or 8430.49HS 843143

    Comes fromUnited States 32%, 30 source countries
    Nearest export strengthBoring and sinking machinery: not self-propelled (exports USD 1m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 615k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 16m
    Countries that export it well26

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 68m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 15 per cent (2).

    USD 68mup 167% on 2022
  5. 5

    Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, not fitted with connectorsHS 854449

    Comes fromMorocco 47%, 32 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 25k; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 22m
    Countries that export it well35

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 37m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 43 per cent (1); Morocco supplies 47 per cent (1).

    USD 37mup 87% on 2022
  6. 6

    Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308HS 730890

    Comes fromChina 47%, 26 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 283k
    Countries that export it well33

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 34m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 31 per cent (1); China supplies 47 per cent (1).

    USD 34mup 82% on 2022
  7. 7

    Electric generating sets: (excluding those with spark-ignition or compression-ignition internal combustion piston...HS 850239

    Comes fromUnited States 99%, 7 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 1 more line in the heading, USD 25m
    Countries that export it well23

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 34m, top 10 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to the Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 32 per cent (1); United States supplies 99 per cent (2).

    USD 34mfrom USD 86k in 2022
  8. 8

    Food preparations: of flour, meal, starch, malt extract or milk products, for uses n.e.c. in heading no. 1901HS 190190

    Comes fromNetherlands 27%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 1 more line in the heading, USD 14m
    Countries that export it well39

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 30m, top 13 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to the Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 9 per cent (3).

    USD 30mdown 44% on 2022
  9. 9

    Containers for compressed or liquefied gas, of iron or steelHS 731100

    Comes fromChina 96%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 25k
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 28m, top 16 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to the Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 34 per cent (1); China supplies 96 per cent (2).

    USD 28mfrom USD 1m in 2022
  10. 10

    Ceramic flooring blocks, supports or filler tiles and the like (excluding building bricks)HS 690490

    Comes fromChina 100%, 4 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well17

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 27m, top 22 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to the Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 38 per cent (1); China supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 27mdown 29% on 2022
  11. 11

    Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: women's or girls', of cotton (not knitted or crocheted)HS 620462

    Comes fromChina 99%, 10 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSuits: women's or girls', of cotton (not knitted or crocheted) (exports USD 42k)
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 1 more line in the heading, USD 12m
    Countries that export it well29

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 23m, top 34 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to the Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2); China supplies 99 per cent (2).

    USD 23mup 246% on 2022
  12. 12

    Base stationsHS 851761

    Comes fromChina 96%, 7 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 74m
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 20m, top 40 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to the Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 25 per cent (2); China supplies 96 per cent (2).

    USD 20mup 348% on 2022
  13. 13

    Sugars: sucrose, chemically pure, in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matterHS 170199

    Comes fromBrazil 43%, 13 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well44

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 18m, top 44 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to the Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 6 per cent (3); Brazil supplies 43 per cent (1).

    USD 18mup 185% on 2022
  14. 14

    Cigarettes: containing tobaccoHS 240220

    Comes fromSouth Africa 84%, 7 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well41

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 14m, top 69 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to the Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 3 per cent (3); South Africa supplies 84 per cent (2).

    USD 14mup 160% on 2022
  15. 15

    Food preparations: pasta, uncooked (excluding that containing eggs), not stuffed or otherwise preparedHS 190219

    Comes fromTurkey 91%, 12 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 13m, top 72 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to the Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 4 per cent (3); Turkey supplies 91 per cent (2).

    USD 13mdown 17% on 2022
  16. 16

    Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, containing indentations, ribs, grooves...HS 721420

    Comes fromChina 74%, 6 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well45

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 12m, top 82 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to the Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 1 per cent (3); China supplies 74 per cent (2).

    USD 12mup 82% on 2022
  17. 17

    Iron or steel (excluding cast iron or stainless steel): seamless, casing and tubing, of a kind used in drilling for...HS 730429

    Comes fromChina 93%, 11 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 147k; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 26m
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 26m, top 26 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to the Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 43 per cent (1); China supplies 93 per cent (2).

    USD 26mdown 10% on 2022
  18. 18

    Tobacco: smoking, other than water pipe tobacco, whether or not containing tobacco substitutes in any proportionHS 240319

    Comes fromFrance 57%, 3 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well29

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 19m, top 41 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to the Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 18 per cent (2); France supplies 57 per cent (1).

    USD 19mup 192% on 2022
  19. 19

    Soups and broths and preparations thereforHS 210410

    Comes fromSenegal 81%, 12 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well31

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 13m, top 75 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to the Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 13 per cent (2); Senegal supplies 81 per cent (2).

    USD 13mup 47% on 2022
  20. 20

    Jackets: women's or girls', of cotton, knitted or crochetedHS 610432

    Comes fromChina 100%, 3 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSuits: women's or girls', of cotton (not knitted or crocheted) (exports USD 42k)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well28

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 12m, top 85 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to the Republic of the Congo's export strengths in the top 21 per cent (2); China supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 12mdown 27% on 2022

The bill and its path, the sources and their unit values, who exports the line well, the nearest strengths, the public buyers where a country publishes them, and the method. We reply by email. Privacy

One line per customs heading. Products the Republic of the Congo already exports well and still imports are below, because they are a different conversation. No employment figures appear on this page, by decision.

Made here already, still imported

Scale conversations, not capability ones.

  • Boring and sinking machinery: not self-propelled imports USD 16m, exports USD 1m, top source United States 53%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 68 lines imported at USD 10m or more: above the median one point, top quarter two, top tenth three.

Proximity to export strengths, 0 to 3, on the same percentiles: the product-space method (Hidalgo, Klinger, Barabasi and Hausmann, Science 2007) on CEPII's BACI file of every bilateral trade flow for 2024, 157 countries and 5,388 products. Two products are close when the countries that export one well tend to export the other well. Only products in the upper half for proximity can enter the list at all: best placed is a proximity claim.

Supply concentration, 0 to 2: one point when a single country supplies 40 per cent or more, two at 60 per cent.

Scope. Manufactured goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, excluding ores, fuels and precious metals. Primary agriculture is out of scope for a page about manufacture.

What it cannot tell you

A map of where to look.

Trade data says what crossed the border, not why. Cost, scale, patents, tariffs and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. The world file reconciles what each pair of countries reports, so a national customs file would differ in detail. Nothing on this page is a forecast or a promise.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601, years 2022 to 2024. Edition of 2026-11-03. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

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What the Republic of the Congo buys, and from whom: the trade lanes into the Republic of the Congo.

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