Cobalt is a vital material for EV batteries.
According to a joint circular issued on 26 November 2025 by the ministries of mines and finance, exporters must now obtain a quota verification certificate (AVQ) from the Authority for the Regulation and Control of Strategic Mineral Substances' Markets (ARECOMS). The process includes mandatory quota verification, joint sampling, weighing, sealing of shipments, and physical inspection by multiple government agencies.
A key requirement is the advance payment of a 10% mining royalty within 48 hours of submitting origin and sales declarations. A "liberatory receipt" confirming this payment is mandatory before customs clearance is granted.
For the fourth quarter of 2025, the DRC has allocated export quotas totalling 18,125 tonnes of cobalt, rising to an annual ceiling of 96,600 tonnes from 2026 onward. Major producers, including CMOC and Glencore, have received the largest individual quotas, while ARECOMS retains a 10% strategic reserve.
The government has stated that failure to meet the new requirements may lead to penalties, including potential suspension of export rights.
Following the lifting of a previous temporary export suspension in October 2025, shipments have not yet fully resumed as companies seek detailed clarification and complete the compliance steps.
An industry source familiar with the matter told: "Companies want to understand whether the 10% royalty to be paid for export will take into account the amount from the last export (before the ban)."
Panmure Liberum analyst Duncan Hay commented: "Congo's shifting export rules offer no certainty – last-minute royalty demands and complex paperwork will keep exports and prices volatile."
The DRC supplies more than 70% of global cobalt, a critical component in electric vehicle batteries. Recent initiatives also include the launch of traceable artisanal cobalt production and a marketing partnership with Swiss trader Mercuria for cobalt, copper and other strategic minerals. The updated framework reflects ongoing efforts to ensure orderly development of the country's substantial mineral resources.
