The United States is importing record volumes of copper from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as American industrial consumers increasingly accept Congolese metal and look for competitively priced supplies amid tight global markets.
Record Copper Shipments to the US
US imports of refined copper from the DRC reached a record 53,290 metric tons in July 2026, giving Congo a 23.9% share of total US copper imports for the month. Overall US copper imports also exceeded 220,000 tons for the first time.
The July shipment was substantially larger than the less than 32,000 tons the United States imported from Congo throughout all of 2024, highlighting the rapid change in trade flows.
Price and Quality Drive Demand
A major factor behind the increase is the growing acceptance of Congolese copper among US manufacturers, including copper rod mills and tube producers.
Congo’s copper is not currently approved for delivery through the US COMEX futures market, unlike some copper brands from countries such as Chile, Peru and Zambia. However, Congolese metal can be purchased at significant discounts, reportedly around $550 to $800 per ton, making it attractive to industrial buyers.
Sources also indicate that the quality of Congolese copper has improved in recent years, helping overcome some of the reservations previously held by American buyers.
Trade Flows Shift Away From China
The growing US demand comes as China’s purchases of Congolese copper decline. Chinese imports from Congo fell 4.3% during the first seven months of 2026, although Congo’s share of China’s copper imports increased to 44.7% over the same period.
China nevertheless remains Congo’s largest copper customer, with imports from the DRC reaching 95,778 tons in July.
Tariff Concerns Reshape the Market
The surge in US imports is also linked to expectations surrounding potential US tariffs and the unusually high premium on copper in the American market. Traders have been moving additional supplies into the United States ahead of possible policy changes, contributing to a major reshuffling of global copper flows.
For the DRC, the stronger US demand provides an opportunity to diversify its export markets and reduce dependence on China. For American manufacturers, Congolese copper offers another source of supply at a time when global copper markets are facing increased demand from electrification, infrastructure, artificial intelligence and data-center investment.
A Growing Role for Congo
The latest figures underline the DRC’s growing importance in the global copper market. As US buyers become more comfortable with Congolese supplies, the country could gain a larger role in supplying Western markets, potentially reshaping traditional copper trade routes.
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