Burkina Faso
Electronic Cargo Tracking Note
ECTNElectronic tracking note for the port of discharge
Shipments to Burkina Faso need a ECTN (Electronic Cargo Tracking Note). The ECTN for Burkina Faso must be validated before the vessel departs.
When is it required?
The ECTN for Burkina Faso must be validated before the vessel departs.
Who applies?
The shipper or the freight forwarder files it.
How long does it take?
Draft the same day once the application is complete.
Burkina Faso ECTN guide
Who runs it, where the cargo discharges, and the rules your file is checked against.
- Issuing body
- Conseil Burkinabè des Chargeurs (CBC)
Rules to know
- Cargo reaches Ouagadougou overland from Abidjan, Tema, Lomé or Cotonou; the certificate must match the chosen corridor, covering both the sea leg and the inland transit.
Documents to prepare for Burkina Faso
Tick what you already have. Send them when the list is complete, or send what you have now and we tell you what is missing.
List from our operations team, updated 20 July 2026.
Before you apply
Send your documents, we check them first
Upload the draft bill of lading or invoice. We check the details the ECTN needs and tell you what to fix before anything is filed.
- Your files go only to our certificate team.
- You decide whether to apply after our reply.
Burkina Faso ECTN Certificate
In 2001, Burkina Faso implemented a regulation requiring the Burkina Faso ECTN certificate (Electronic Cargo Tracking Note) to be mandatory for all shipments destined for the country, with the exception of air cargo. Because Burkina Faso is a landlocked nation, it relies on the coastlines of neighboring countries for sea transportation. If you are exporting goods to Burkina Faso, you will need to obtain an ECTN for Burkina Faso and a separate tracking certificate for the port country. For example, if shipping via Togo you will also need a Togo CTN, via Benin a Benin BESC, via Ghana a Ghana CTN, or via Ivory Coast an Ivory Coast BSC.
What Is Burkina Faso ECTN?
ECTN stands for Electronic Cargo Tracking Note, and it is a certificate that most Western and some Central African countries have made mandatory. If Burkina Faso is the final destination for your shipment, it must be accompanied by an ECTN certificate. ECTN provides authorities with the ability and information needed to track, manage, and supervise shipments from loading to discharge. It includes details about the exporter, importer, the value of the goods, the quantity, and more. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see our detailed guide on how to get a Burkina Faso ECTN.
Required Documents
All you need is 2-3 simple documents:
- Bill of Lading: This document contains details about the exporter, the importer, the shipping line, the container numbers/chassis numbers (if any), etc.
- Commercial Invoice: It contains prices (the goods, the freight, and the insurance values, etc.), the incoterm, the details of the goods.
- Freight Invoice: This document is only mandatory if the freight cost is not on the Commercial Invoice.
Consequences of Not Having an ECTN
You must obtain an ECTN certification at least five days before the vessel’s arrival. Failure to submit the correct documentation may result in Customs Officials stopping the cargo, causing delays during clearance. While having an ECTN number on the Bill of Lading is not mandatory, some shipping lines may require it.
Pricing
Certificate cost depends on the number of Bill of Ladings and the containers, the country of origin, the port of discharge, etc. This is why an exact price cannot be provided for the CTN. Share your shipment details with us, and we will send you an exact quote. We offer free quotations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a Burkina Faso ECTN certificate?
We provide a draft Burkina Faso ECTN certificate the same day. Certificates are provided to exporters all over the world.
Which ports are used for shipments to Burkina Faso?
Burkina Faso is a landlocked country and does not have direct access to seaports. It relies on neighboring countries’ ports for international trade:
- Port of Abidjan (Ivory Coast): The closest and most commonly used port for importing and exporting goods to and from Burkina Faso.
- Port of Lomé (Togo): Another important gateway for Burkina Faso’s international trade.
- Port of Tema (Ghana): Utilized for shipping goods to and from Burkina Faso as an alternative port.
- Port of Takoradi (Ghana): Occasionally used for heavy or oversized goods.
- Port of Cotonou (Benin): Used for transshipment purposes.
What are the most imported items in Burkina Faso?
- Petroleum products (gasoline, diesel, refined petroleum)
- Machinery and mechanical appliances
- Vehicles and automotive parts
- Rice
- Pharmaceuticals and medical equipment
- Iron and steel products
- Wheat
- Electrical machinery and equipment
- Textiles and clothing
- Fertilizers
Which countries are the biggest exporters to Burkina Faso?
- Ivory Coast
- China
- France
- Ghana
- Togo
- Nigeria
- Netherlands
- Belgium
- Senegal
- Germany
- Switzerland
- United States
- India
- Niger
- Mali
- Italy
- United Kingdom
- Turkey
- Spain
- Benin
Related Certificates You May Need
Because Burkina Faso is landlocked, your shipment will pass through a neighboring coastal country. You will need a separate certificate for the transit country:
- Togo CTN — required for shipments transiting through the Port of Lomé
- Benin BESC — required for shipments transiting through the Port of Cotonou
- Ghana CTN — required for shipments transiting through Tema or Takoradi
- Ivory Coast BSC — required for shipments transiting through the Port of Abidjan
Memberships and certifications
Membership
Certifications
- ISO 9001:2015Quality management
- ISO 14001Environmental management
- ISO/IEC 27001Information security management
