The Cargo Tracking Note is a required document when shipping to 25+ African countries. AfricaCTN helps shippers and freight forwarders eliminate delays in port by providing the valid CTN Certificate for every country that requires it.
Ensure there are no more delays for your importer / consignee at the final destination port due to missing documentation, get your Cargo Tracking Note with AfricaCTN.
African Countries with ECTN Requirements
These 25 countries require a cargo tracking note, and AfricaCTN issues the certificate for every one of them.
Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Republic of Congo, Republic of Guinea, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo, Yemen
Without this mandatory document when shipping to these countries your shipment will face delays, demurrage and penalties at the destination port.
Depending on the destination country you are shipping to, the CTN can also be known as:
- ECTN Certificate
- BSC
- BESC
- BIETC
- CNCA
- ENS
- FERI
- Waiver Certificate
CTN Certificate Application Process
Firstly, the shipper must gather the necessary documents:
- Bill of Lading
- Commercial Invoice
- Freight Invoice
- Customs Declaration
Optional: Packing list, certificate of origin
Then you will follow AfricaCTN’s application process:
- Submit: Send the shipping documents to AfricaCTN via email or online
- Draft & Invoice: Receive the draft ECTN and invoice
- Approve: Check and confirm all details on the draft ECTN
- Pay: Make payment of the invoice so validation can begin
- Validation: Issuance of the valid CTN and CTN number ready customs clearance
Key Information Regarding CTN Certificate
- Mandatory: The electronic cargo tracking note is mandatory for the supply chain on all ocean freight being imported into the 25 countries listed above
- Shipment Details: It is imperative to check and confirm all shipment details on the draft ECTN prior to approving, once the ECTN is validated there can be no further changes made
- Consequences: The customs authorities / port authorities will apply fees, penalties and delays if the valid CTN certificate is presented at the destination port
- Pricing: Each destination country will have a different price based on cargo type, size and loading port, it is important to check with AfricaCTN to confirm the tariff rate of your shipment
- WhatsApp: AfricaCTN is available via WhatsApp if you need urgent support
| Responsibility | Shipper | AfricaCTN |
| 1. Gather Required Documents | X | |
| 2. Draft & Invoice | X | |
| 3. Approve | X | |
| 4. Pay | X | |
| 5. Final Validation | X |
