An ECTN is a mandatory waiver certificate required when shipping goods to over 25+ African countries. It contains details about the shipment, ensuring smooth customs clearance in the destination country. It also provides a unique ECTN number (electronic cargo tracking note) for customs authorities.
Key Takeaways
- Abbreviation: The ECTN is a mandatory waiver certificate short for electronic cargo tracking note
- Alternate Names: BESC, BSC, CTN, CNCA, ARCCLA, FERI, BIETC
- Mandatory: It is required to help improve port security and efficiency
- Obtaining ECTN: You can get yours by emailing AfricaCTN the required shipping documents
Alternate Names for ECTN Certificate
Some countries use their own acronyms for the mandatory document ECTN, but each serves the same purpose:
- ECTN Certificate, BESC (bordereau électronique de suivi de cargaison), FERI, BSC, CNCA, ARCCLA, ENS –
Who Issues and Validates an ECTN?
In most countries, customs authorities validate the ECTN. In some countries, authorized agents such as AfricaCTN are permitted to validate the ECTN directly.
Why is the ECTN Mandatory
African governments use the CTN system to:
- Track and Monitor Cargo Movement
- ECTNs give customs early visibility into what is being shipped and when it will arrive, helping them track shipments from origin to the destination port
- Ensure Accurate Customs Declaration
- The ECTN provides details cargo, shippers and importer information, reducing errors and false declarations.
- Improve Port Efficiency and Cargo Clearance
- Having shipping documents including the bill of lading, commercial invoice and freight invoice (some countries require the packing list, certificate of origin and others) submitted early helps ports process containers faster on arrival.
- Strengthen Trade Security
- Pre-shipment verification helps identify high-risk cargo and minimizes fraudulent or incomplete documentation.
What Do I need to Obtain my ECTN?
Each destination country has its own rules, but most ECTN applications require the following necessary documents:
Optional: Packing list, vehicle titles, customs declaration
Some destination countries may require additional documents, it is important to confirm all document requirements with AfricaCTN prior to the deadline.
How to Obtain an ECTN
AfricaCTN is an authorized agent for many African countries requiring a CTN.
Our team ensures your shipment meets every destination requirement before departure. Below is the process and ECTN requirements for obtaining your validated waiver certificate.
Here is the Application Process:
- Submit: Send the required documents to AfricaCTN via the CTN Dashboard or directly via email
- Draft & Invoice: Our team will check your documents and provide a draft copy of the ECTN and an invoice
- Approve: Check and confirm the details on the draft CTN
- Pay: Make payment of the invoice so validation can begin
- Final Validation: Typically in 24-48 hours the final validated certificate will be released
African Countries that Require an ECTN
AfricaCTN provides official cargo tracking notes for 24+ countries including:
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
Each country has its own document requirements and procedures. Our CTN Dashboard automatically ensures your shipment has full CTN compliance.
Note: Ghana SPN/ECTN program is postponed until further notice
What Happens Without a ECTN
If your shipment passes the validation deadline without a validated ECTN, it can result in:
- Delays: At the destination port
- Penalties: And fines for non-compliance
- Customs Holds: The shipment while the CTN is being processed
These penalties can cause significant delays.
Submitting your CTN early through AfricaCTN helps you avoid these risks and keeps your cargo moving on schedule.
Why Choose AfricaCTN
- Authorized Agent: For the countries that require agents
- Fast Turnaround: You will receive your draft CTN and invoice the same day
- Global Coverage: AfricaCTN serves freight forwarders, logistics firms and individual shippers worldwide
- WhatsApp Support: Reach us on WhatsApp at any time
AfricaCTN makes the issuance of your ECTN simple, reliable and fully compliant every time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the ECTN?
The ECTN (Electronic Cargo Tracking Note) is an official waiver certificate required for all maritime imports into more than 25+ countries in Africa. It is critical to ensure smooth customs clearance and prevent delays in the destination port.
What is the Cargo Tracking Number CTN?
The Cargo Tracking Number (CTN Number) is the unique identification number associated with the validated CTN certificate for your shipment. It is required to clear the cargo in port.
What Does CTN Stand For?
CTN stands for Cargo Tracking Note (provided by AfricaCTN)
What is ECTN?
The ECTN (Electronic Cargo Tracking Note) is an official waiver certificate required for all maritime imports into more than 25+ countries in Africa. It is critical to ensure smooth customs clearance and prevent delays in the destination port.
Key Functions
- Ensures smooth customs clearance: Helps customs authorities monitor your cargo before it arrives
- Fraud prevention and compliance: Ensures your import complies with all regulations
- Prevents delays in the destination port: Missing CTNs is a top cause for delays when clearing cargo in Africa
Main Details
- Required: The ECTN is required for imports to more than 25+ African countries
- Responsibility: It is the responsibility of the shipper or freight forwarder to obtain the ECTN prior to the deadline
- Quantity: Each bill of lading requires its own unique ECTN and ECTN number.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
- Heavy fines and penalties
- Holding of the cargo in the destination port until a valid ECTN is issued
- In extreme cases, cargo can be seized or goods confiscated
