Avoiding Delays at African Ports: Your CTN Preparation Roadmap

When moving cargo to many West African countries, one of the most common causes of delays and fines/penalties is a missing Cargo Tracking Note (CTN).

If your cargo arrives without this document, it will take longer to clear your cargo through the port, whether you are carrying commercial goods, humanitarian aid or personal belongings.

To keep your shipment moving smoothly, it’s important to know what a CTN is, when it’s needed, and how to get it before the deadline.

What is CTN and why is it necessary?

Depending on the country of destination, a CTN can also be known by many names such as ECTN, BSC, BESC, BIETC, CNCA, FERI, ENS, ARCCLA and ACD.

All of these refer to a mandatory bill of lading that contains details about the shipment, such as consignor and consignee information, the commercial value of the goods being shipped, and the port of loading and unloading.

Shipping councils use this document to verify cargo details, improve port security and speed up customs clearance. Without documentation, your shipment may face penalties, fines and, in some cases, shipment rejection.

It is the responsibility of the shipper or shipper to receive the ECTN before the due date to avoid delays for the importer at the port of destination.

What is the deadline for CTN approval?

Most countries require that the CTN be approved before the ship arrives. However, some countries, such as Gabon, require prior agreement approval before the ship can depart.

And others like the Republic of Congo require the ECTN to be confirmed within 5 days of the ship’s departure.

It is very important to confirm the deadline for the destination country to avoid delays and heavy fines.

Which countries require an ECTN exemption certificate or equivalent?

There are more than 25 countries that require ECTN in Africa. Deadlines and requirements are constantly changing, so it is important to always confirm ECTN requirements before shipping.

Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Republic of Congo, Republic of South Guinea, Sweden, Sweden, Sweden, Sweden, Sweden, Sweden, Sweden, Sweden, Sweden, Sweden, South Guinea ACD, Togo, Yemen

Documents required for ECTN

Before applying for a CTN, the following documents are required:

• bill of lading
• Commercial invoice
• Shipping invoice (not necessary if the shipping value is mentioned in the commercial invoice)

Depending on the destination country, additional documents may be required such as:

• Documento Unico
• Insurance certificate
• ARCCLA form
• Export declaration
• Packing list

AfricaCTN can help confirm what is required for each destination country.

ECTN application process

Every country that requires an ECTN has a very similar process for obtaining a CTN. The process is as follows:

1. Send your documents to the agent
   1. The agent checks the shipment information and ensures that all required documents are present and complete
2. Receive draft ECTN and invoice
   1. A draft CTN will be generated so you can confirm that the details match your documents
3. Approval of the draft ECTN
   1. If all the details are correct, let your agent know that the draft has been approved
4. Pay the invoice
   1. Once the draft is approved, you can pay the ECTN invoice
5. Get a valid CTN certificate
   1. After completing all the steps, your agent will send the draft CTN to the port authorities for certificate validation. Depending on the destination country, it may take 24-48 hours for the final valid certificate to be issued

Important compliance points

• CTN requirements apply to all shipments, including container, bulk, RORO, and general cargo.
• Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of Congo require CTNs for air freight as well as sea freight.

final word

A correct and complete CTN can help avoid costly delays and fines at African ports. CTN helps improve port security and speed up customs clearance.

Whether you’re shipping commercial goods, personal belongings or humanitarian aid, a CTN is required when shipping to more than 25 African countries, so contact a CTN agent to ensure your shipment clears without delay.

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