Central African Republic
Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des Cargaisons
BESCElectronic cargo tracking note, validated before loading
Shipments to Central African Republic need a BESC (Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des Cargaisons). Once the BESC reference for Central African Republic is issued, the original bill of lading must follow within 5 days, or the certificate is cancelled.
When is it required?
Once the BESC reference for Central African Republic is issued, the original bill of lading must follow within 5 days, or the certificate is cancelled.
BESC for Central African Republic: when must it be validated?
Who applies?
The shipper or the freight forwarder files it.
How long does it take?
Draft the same day once the application is complete.
Central African Republic BESC guide
Who runs it, where the cargo discharges, and the rules your file is checked against.
- Issuing body
- Conseil Centrafricain des Chargeurs (CCC)
- Port of discharge
- Bangui (dry port, via Douala)
Rules to know
- The BESC number is issued at validation, so it cannot be given in advance.
- The final, dated master bill of lading is needed before validation.
- Shipper, consignee and notify party addresses must be the same on every document.
- The weight on the export declaration must match the bill of lading.
- The statistical value on the export declaration must match the commercial invoice.
- For shipper-owned containers, the tare weight must be shown on the bill of lading.
- The authority does not require the BESC number on the master bill of lading, but some carriers ask for it.
Documents to prepare for Central African Republic
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 4 August 2026.
Before you apply
Send your documents, we check them first
Upload the draft bill of lading or invoice. We check the details the BESC 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.
ECTN for the Central African Republic is mandatory for entry into the country.
In the year 2000, Bangui Customs Officials implemented a regulation that made ECTN mandatory for all shipments to the Central African Republic. Failing to obtain this certificate will result in severe consequences and a penalty. Despite being a landlocked country, all sea cargoes are typically transported from Cameroon, but you only need an ECTN for the Central African Republic.
Click here to learn more about transit shipments.
ECTN is a mandatory certificate. However, despite its obligatory nature, it is often missed and overlooked by most people.
What is Central African Republic ECTN?
ECTN stands for Electronic Cargo Tracking Note, and its name is self-explanatory. It is a certificate that enables authorities to track, manage, and supervise all shipments from loading to discharge. Additionally, it provides information about the cargos even before they reach their destination. The ECTN includes details about the exporter, importer, information about the transported goods and their value, freight cost, shipment type, vessel name, and more.
What are the required documents?
- Bill of Lading: It contains details about the exporter, the importer, the weight of the goods, the shipping line, the vessel name, etc.
- Commercial Invoice: It includes the details of the goods, the freight cost, the incoterm, and some other charges if there is any, etc.
- Freight Invoice: This is only a requirement if the freight cost isn’t on the commercial invoice.
- Export Customs Declaration: Customs Officials of the exporter country prepares this document, and it lists the goods being transported and contains some important details of them.
What are the consequences of not having it?
The ECTN certificate must be validated five days before the arrival of the vessel at the latest. If not, there would be a fine twice the amount of the ECTN cost plus the regulation charges determined by the Central African Republic National Port Officials.
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 we can’t give you an exact price for the CTN. But if you share your shipment’s details with us we can send you an exact quote for your certificate. We offer free quotation.
How long does it take to get Central African Republic ECTN certificate?
We provide draft Central African ECTN certificate the same day. We provide certificates to exporters all over the World.
Why is the Central African Republic ECTN mandatory?
The Central African Republic ECTN is mandatory as per the country’s customs regulations. It serves as a tracking document for cargo entering the Central African Republic, it ensures compliance with customs procedures and facilitates smooth customs clearance.
What are the benefits of having a Central African Republic ECTN?
Having a Central African Republic ECTN helps streamline the customs process, reduces delays at the port of entry, and ensures compliance with local customs regulations. It also provides transparency and traceability of cargo, enhancing security and preventing illicit activities.
Is it possible to obtain a Central African Republic ECTN online?
Yes, online services are provided by ECTN providers like us that allow you to submit the necessary data and obtain the ECTN certificate electronically. This makes the application procedure more practical and effective.
What are the most imported items in Central African Republic?
- Petroleum products: Including gasoline, diesel, and other refined petroleum products.
- Machinery and mechanical appliances: Such as machinery parts, generators, pumps, and electrical machinery.
- Vehicles and automotive parts: Including cars, trucks, motorcycles, and their components.
- Pharmaceuticals and medical equipment: Including medicines, medical instruments, and healthcare supplies.
- Rice: The Central African Republic imports rice to meet domestic consumption needs.
- Wheat: Wheat is imported for various purposes, including bakery and food processing.
- Iron and steel products: Such as iron rods, steel structures, and construction materials.
- Electrical machinery and equipment: Including electronic devices, appliances, and telecommunications equipment.
- Food products: Including processed food, dairy products, and beverages.
- Textiles and clothing: Including fabrics, garments, and apparel.
Which countries are the biggest exporters to Central African Republic?
- China
- France
- United States
- Belgium
- Cameroon
- Thailand
- Germany
- United Arab Emirates
- India
- Netherlands
- Turkey
- Italy
- South Korea
- Spain
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
- Brazil
- Malaysia
- Russia
- Canada
Memberships and certifications
Membership
Certifications
- ISO 9001:2015Quality management
- ISO 14001Environmental management
- ISO/IEC 27001Information security management
Related countries
- Central AfricaChad (BESC)Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des Cargaisons2 days before arrival3 documents
- Central AfricaDR Congo (FERI)Fiche Électronique de Renseignement à l'Importation5 days before arrival6 documents
- Central AfricaEquatorial Guinea (FESO/ECTN)Equatorial Guinea's cargo tracking certificateGenerally before arrival4 documents
