African Cargo to set up DRC subsidiary

You will get burned in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) if you do not know what you are doing,” says Stephen Roberts, managing director of All Cargo Solutions (ACS). The Zambian company, which is part of the UK-based African Cargo Services Group, is forming a DRC subsidiary and opening a Lubumbashi office in order to provide support on the ground for clients. ACS’s Zambian head office has been moved from Ndola to Kitwe to be closer to the border and clients. It has warehouse facilities, and has also invested in forklifts which are available on a contract basis to clients. The company has retained its presence and warehousing in Ndola. Roberts is confident about growth in volumes out of the DRC, but warns that the fluid situation in the country requires careful management, with on-the-ground support. A recent example is an amendment to the DRC VAT legislation which requires that VAT be paid for transport “on the DRC leg” for exports. In May this year the DRC opened a customs office in Tanzania to monitor all transit cargo entering through the port of Dar es Salaam. The twin objectives of the office are to curb the theft of DRC exports in the port of Dar es Salaam and also to prevent the sale of DRC-bound goods in Tanzania. There are reports of commodities such as fuel meant for transit to the DRC being sold in the local market, causing loss of revenue to Tanzania. Despite the problems in Dar es Salaam, it remains the cheapest option, says Roberts, whose group has offices in Tanzania. “Our expertise lies in getting cargo through despite the challenges,” he says. Durban, which also has an ACS presence, is used for out-of-gauge and abnormal cargo. INSERT & CAPTION The fluid situation in the DRC requires careful management, with on-theground support. – Stephen Roberts