The required documents for Sierra Leone CTN are the BL, commercial invoice (with the incoterm noted on it) and the freight invoice. AfricaCTN can help provide more information on what is needed for your shipment to Sierra Leone.
This article will cover each required document, why it is needed, common mistakes and how to avoid them.
List of Required Documents
Bill of Lading
The BL is the core document for all ECTN required countries. It contains shipment specific information such as:
- Shipper and Consignee name and address
- Notify party information
- Port of loading and discharge
- Container numbers and seal numbers
- Gross weight and volume
- Cargo description
- Packaging details
It is important that all supporting documentation matches the BL to prevent any ECTN validation issues.
Commercial Invoice
The commercial invoice shows the value of the goods, information about the buyer and seller and other key details such as:
- Incoterm
- Invoice number and date
- Currency
- Quantity sold
- Payment terms
Freight Invoice
The freight invoice is issued by the carrier or freight forwarder and will show the incoterm, cost of ocean freight and any other supplemental costs related to the movement of the cargo.
Why These Documents are Required?
The Sierra Leone port authorities require the documents listed above in order to validated the ECTN. They are required to ensure all necessary information is present to clear your cargo without delays and penalties.
Common Document Errors
The most common document error when shipping to Sierra Leone is the commercial invoice missing the incoterm. All commercial invoices must have the incoterm noted on the invoice or it will be rejected by the port authorities.
It is important to discuss this with your shipper before applying for the CTN to ensure there are no delays in the validation process.
Summary
The required documents for Sierra Leone CTN are the BL, commercial invoice (with the incoterm noted on it) and the freight invoice. Submitting complete and accurate documents is critical for quick validation and avoiding costly delays at the destination port.
For a complete overview and link to submit your Sierra Leone CTN application, visit the full guide here.
