Cargo tracking programmes for governments and shippers’ councils
A cargo tracking note gives the destination authority the shipment’s data before the vessel arrives: who ships, to whom, what, at what value, on which vessel. Here is what such a programme delivers and how it runs.
What the authority receives, per bill of lading
- Shipper and consignee
- Cargo description and HS codes
- Quantities, packages and weight
- Cargo value and freight amount
- Vessel, voyage and ports of loading and discharge
- Container numbers
What a digital programme delivers
Revenue protection
Declared cargo and freight values are checked against the invoices before arrival, so undervaluation shows up before the goods are cleared.
Faster clearance
Customs receives checked data in advance and can clear compliant cargo quickly, keeping inspections for shipments that carry real risk.
Reliable trade statistics
Structured data on every shipment gives the authority an accurate picture of what enters its ports, and from where.
Control of fraud and smuggling
Each certificate has a unique number written on the bill of lading, so a document can be traced from the port of loading to the port of discharge.
How it runs
Filing at origin
The shipper, exporter or freight forwarder files the shipment documents before loading.
Checking
The data is checked against the bill of lading, the invoices and the other documents.
Validation
The validated certificate number is written on the bill of lading.
Data before arrival
The destination authority receives the shipment data before the vessel arrives.
Recent decisions by authorities
ACDKenya: ACD required for containerised cargo from 3 August 2026The Kenya Revenue Authority is introducing an Advance Cargo Declaration (ACD) for containerised cargo bound for Kenyan ports. It becomes mandatory on Monday 3 August 2026.
ACDSudan: ACD mandatory for all shipments from 1 January 2026Following a Sudan Customs Authority letter dated 9 November 2025, Sudan adopted the Advance Cargo Declaration (ACD). It is mandatory for all shipments to Sudan from 1 January 2026.
ECTNSomalia: ECTN required for every container at every port from 14 October 2025By a Ministry of Ports and Marine Transport directive (ref. XW/WDGB/89/09/2025, 30 September 2025), every container arriving at any port of the Federal Republic of Somalia must have a valid ECTN from 14 October 2025.