Republic of Congo ECTN Comprehensive Guide

Last Updated: March 19, 2026

The Republic of Congo ECTN is required for all ocean shipments destined for Republic of Congo. It is obtained through an Authorized Agent such as AfricaCTN.

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 within 5 days of vessel sailing or there will be an additional penalty applied.

Key Information

  • The customs declaration requirement does not apply for shipments loading in the USA

In Transit Shipments

In transit refers to a shipment that discharges in one country and its final destination is in another country.

  • Republic of Congo does not require an ECTN for in transit shipments

Common discharge ports for these shipments include:

  • Pointe Noire
  • Brazzaville

Required Documents

  • Bill of Lading
  • Commercial Invoice
  • Freight Invoice
  • Export Declaration or Customs Declaration (Exempt in USA)

Application Process

First, you must gather digital copies of the required documents as mentioned above. Then you can proceed with the application process:

  1. Submit: Send all the necessary documents to AfricaCTN via email or online
  2. Draft & Invoice: You will receive a draft copy of your ECTN and invoice
  3. Approve: Check and confirm all details on the draft ECTN
  4. Pay: Make payment of the invoice so validation can begin
  5. Final Validation: Receive your final validated ECTN ready for customs clearance

Validation & Approval Process

Validation of a 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

Step of the ProcessHow 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 24-48 business hours

Special Cases & Regulations

There are no special cases or regulations for Republic of Congo ECTN.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where is the URN number on the Congo ECTN certificate?

The URN number or ECTN number is noted at the top of a validated Congo ECTN certificate.


How can you get a Republic of Congo ECTN Certificate?

You must apply through AfricaCTN, an Authorized Agent.