The Djibouti ECTN Certificate is required for all ocean shipments destined for Djibouti. It is obtained through AfricaCTN, a Global ECTN Provider.
For additional inquiries please contact us at info@africactn.com.
Getting Started
Responsibility
It is the responsibility of the shipper or freight forwarder to obtain the validated ECTN and provide it to the importer.
Validation Deadline
The ECTN Certificate must be validated prior to vessel arrival in the discharge port.
Key Information
- In Transit: Djibouti does not require the ECTN if the shipment is in transit to a neighboring country such as Ethiopia.
In transit refers to a shipment that discharges in one country and its final destination is in another country.
Required Documents
- Bill of Lading
- Commercial Invoice
- Freight Invoice
Application Process
Application Process Overview
First, you must gather digital copies of the required documents as mentioned above. Then you can proceed with the application process:
- Submit: Send all the necessary documents to AfricaCTN via email or online
- Draft & Invoice: You will receive a draft copy of your ECTN and invoice
- Approve: Check and confirm all details on the draft ECTN
- Pay: Make payment of the invoice so validation can begin
- Final Validation: Receive your final validated ECTN ready for customs clearance
Validation & Approval Process
Validation of an ECTN certificate is the process in which the certificate moves from a draft copy to a final copy. In order to begin validation two things must happen:
- Approval: The customer must check and confirm all details on the draft copy, ensure they match the shipping documents provided and notify AfricaCTN that the draft has been approved.
- Payment: The invoice must be paid before validation can begin.
Once these two steps are complete, AfricaCTN will release the final validated ECTN certificate ready for customs clearance.
Timeline
ECTN Timeline Breakdown
| Step of the Process | How Long it Takes |
|---|---|
| 1. Submit | Customer Action |
| 2. Draft & Invoice | 2-4 business hours |
| 3. Approve | Customer Action |
| 4. Pay | Customer Action |
| 5. Final Validation | 2-4 business hours |
Special Cases & Regulations
- Shipments in transit to Ethiopia are exempt from the ECTN requirement as long as it is mentioned on the bill of lading
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do shipments in transit to Ethiopia require an ECTN?
No, shipments in transit to Ethiopia do not require an ECTN
Is it required to mention the ECTN number on the bill of lading?
No, Djibouti does not even issue the ECTN number until after the validation is released