What is a CTN?
A cargo tracking note is an electronic record of a sea shipment — parties, cargo, value and ports — that the destination country requires before discharge. Each country prints its own name on it. The names below appear exactly as printed and are not translated.
Benin asks for a Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des Cargaisons — Electronic cargo tracking note, validated before loading, Senegal for a Bordereau de Suivi des Cargaisons — Cargo tracking note, validated before loading and Kenya for an Advance Cargo Declaration — Advance declaration of the cargo, filed before loading.
What is CTN? Everything About It.
CTN stands for Cargo Tracking Note. It is also known as BSC, BESC, FERI, ENS, CNCA (CNC, ARC), BIETC, ECTN and CEE. They are all the same type of certificate with different names. For instance, BSC is the French translation of CTN.
Cargo Tracking Note or CTN is a loading certificate which is mandatory for many West African Countries. Every country has its own regulations and requirements for this certificate. For some countries, it is required even before your shipment is loaded into the vessel, while for others, it is required within 5 days after departure, at the latest. Detailed information about the requirements for each country can be found on their respective dedicated web pages.
You can click the names of the countries to see their dedicated pages.
Where CTN is Mandatory
Filter by document type. Each country page lists the documents to prepare.
30 countries
- Central AfricaAngola (ARCCLA)Agência Reguladora de Certificação de Cargas e Logística de AngolaBefore departure5 documents
- West AfricaBenin (BESC)Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des CargaisonsBefore departure5 documents
- West AfricaBurkina Faso (ECTN)Electronic Cargo Tracking NoteBefore departure4 documents
- Central AfricaBurundi (BESC)Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des CargaisonsOriginal B/L within 5 days5 documents
- Central AfricaCameroon (BESC)Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des Cargaisons48 hours before arrival4 documents
- Central AfricaCentral African Republic (BESC)Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des CargaisonsOriginal B/L within 5 days5 documents
- Central AfricaChad (BESC)Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des Cargaisons2 days before arrival3 documents
- East Africa & Indian OceanDjibouti (ECTN)Electronic Cargo Tracking Note3 documents
- Central AfricaDR Congo (FERI)Fiche Électronique de Renseignement à l'Importation5 days before arrival6 documents
- North AfricaEgypt (ACID)Advance Cargo Information DeclarationBefore departure3 documents
- Central AfricaEquatorial Guinea (FESO/ECTN)Equatorial Guinea's cargo tracking certificateGenerally before arrival4 documents
- Central AfricaGabon (BIETC)Bordereau d'Identification Électronique de Traçabilité des CargaisonsBefore departure4 documents
- West AfricaGambia (ECTN)Electronic Cargo Tracking Note3 documents
- West AfricaGhana (SPN)Smart Port Note4 documents
- West AfricaGuinea (Conakry) (BESC)Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des Cargaisons5 days before arrival4 documents
- West AfricaGuinea-Bissau (CEE)Certificado Electrónico de EmbarqueOriginal B/L within 5 days4 documents
- West AfricaIvory Coast (BSC)Bordereau de Suivi des Cargaisons5 days before arrival6 documents
- East Africa & Indian OceanKenya (ACD)Advance Cargo DeclarationBefore departure4 documents
- West AfricaLiberia (BESC)Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des Cargaisons5 documents
- East Africa & Indian OceanMadagascar (BSC)Bordereau de Suivi des Cargaisons8 days before arrival5 documents
- West AfricaMali (BESC)Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des CargaisonsDeparture +5 days / arrival −5 days3 documents
- West AfricaNiger (BESC)Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des Cargaisons3 documents
- Central AfricaRepublic of the Congo (ECTN)Electronic Cargo Tracking NoteWithin 5 days of loading4 documents
- West AfricaSenegal (BSC)Bordereau de Suivi des CargaisonsGenerally before arrival3 documents
- West AfricaSierra Leone (CTN)Cargo Tracking Note5 days before arrival3 documents
- East Africa & Indian OceanSomalia (ECTN)Electronic Cargo Tracking Note3 documents
- East Africa & Indian OceanSouth Sudan (ECTN)Electronic Cargo Tracking NoteOriginal B/L within 5 days4 documents
- East Africa & Indian OceanSudan (ACD)Advance Cargo DeclarationBefore departure5 documents
- West AfricaTogo (BESC)Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des CargaisonsOriginal B/L within 5 days4 documents
- Middle EastYemen (ACD)Advance Cargo Declaration4 documents
Why do countries use CTN?
The CTN (Cargo Tracking Note) certificate, as implied by its name, is used for tracking cargo. Its purpose is to provide authorities with information about the contents arriving at their ports. This helps in preventing the smuggling of illegal items and supplies necessary data regarding exports and imports.
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.
Useful Links
What is ECTN Number? How to get one?
How to choose the CTN service provider? Pros and Cons
Different names of ECTN by country
CTN vs ECTN vs BSC vs BESC: What’s the Difference?
Every cargo tracking certificate name, and where it applies
When must my certificate be validated?
Frequently Asked Questions:
What’s the difference between CTN, CNCA and other terms?
CTN is basically a Cargo Tracking Note. Many countries call it by different names such as CNCA, BESC, FERI and many other names but they all refer to cargo tracking note (CTN). Our staff can help you learn more.
Who needs to obtain CTN?
All cargo entering the destination country require the CTN. In rare cases, such as in-transit you might be exempted from the requirement of CTN. Contact us to let you know if you are exempted.
What information is included in the CTN?
CTN includes details such as the shipper’s information, consignee’s information, cargo description, and vessel details.
Is CTN valid for multiple shipments?
No, each shipment requires a separate CNCA certificate. Contact us to get clarity.
What are the consequences of not having a CTN?
Cargo that does not have a valid CTN may face delays, fines, or even rejection at the destination ports. Also, note that each country have different policies for not having the CTN and the process to get one. Our helpful experts can support you throughout the process.
How long does it take to obtain a CTN?
We provide draft CTN the same day.
Printed names
| Acronym | Printed name | Meaning | Countries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des Cargaisons — Electronic cargo tracking note, validated before loading | Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des Cargaisons | Electronic cargo tracking note, validated before loading | Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Guinea (Conakry), Liberia, Mali, Niger, Togo |
| Electronic Cargo Tracking Note — Electronic tracking note for the port of discharge | Electronic Cargo Tracking Note | Electronic tracking note for the port of discharge | Burkina Faso, Djibouti, Gambia, Republic of the Congo, Somalia, South Sudan |
| Advance Cargo Declaration — Advance declaration of the cargo, filed before loading | Advance Cargo Declaration | Advance declaration of the cargo, filed before loading | Kenya, Sudan, Yemen |
| Bordereau de Suivi des Cargaisons — Cargo tracking note, validated before loading | Bordereau de Suivi des Cargaisons | Cargo tracking note, validated before loading | Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Senegal |
| Advance Cargo Information Declaration — Advance cargo information number, obtained before shipping | Advance Cargo Information Declaration | Advance cargo information number, obtained before shipping | Egypt |
| Agência Reguladora de Certificação de Cargas e Logística de Angola — Angola's loading certificate | Agência Reguladora de Certificação de Cargas e Logística de Angola | Angola's loading certificate | Angola |
| Bordereau d'Identification Électronique de Traçabilité des Cargaisons — Electronic cargo identification and traceability note | Bordereau d'Identification Électronique de Traçabilité des Cargaisons | Electronic cargo identification and traceability note | Gabon |
| Certificado Electrónico de Embarque — Electronic shipping certificate | Certificado Electrónico de Embarque | Electronic shipping certificate | Guinea-Bissau |
| Cargo Tracking Note — Cargo tracking note | Cargo Tracking Note | Cargo tracking note | Sierra Leone |
| Fiche Électronique de Renseignement à l'Importation — Electronic import information sheet | Fiche Électronique de Renseignement à l'Importation | Electronic import information sheet | DR Congo |
| Equatorial Guinea's cargo tracking certificate | — | Equatorial Guinea's cargo tracking certificate | Equatorial Guinea |
| Smart Port Note — Ghana's cargo tracking note for Tema and Takoradi | Smart Port Note | Ghana's cargo tracking note for Tema and Takoradi | Ghana |
Who issues it
The body designated by the destination country: a shippers’ council, port authority or customs service. An independent provider such as CTN Certificate prepares and files the application; it does not issue the certificate.
When the certificate must be validated
The deadline depends on the destination. These are the rules on this site, grouped:
- Original B/L within 5 days
- Burundi, Central African Republic, Guinea-Bissau, South Sudan, Togo
- 5 days before arrival
- DR Congo, Guinea (Conakry), Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone
- Generally before arrival
- Equatorial Guinea, Senegal
- 48 hours before arrival
- Cameroon
- 2 days before arrival
- Chad
- 8 days before arrival
- Madagascar
- Departure +5 days / arrival −5 days
- Mali
- Within 5 days of loading
- Republic of the Congo
Documents usually requested
How often each document appears in the destinations’ document lists on this site:
| Document | How often |
|---|---|
| Bill of lading | 30 of 30 destinations |
| Commercial invoice | 30 of 30 destinations |
| Freight invoice | 29 of 30 destinations |
| Export customs declaration | 16 of 30 destinations |
| Packing list | 8 of 30 destinations |
| Certificate of origin | 2 of 30 destinations |
| FDI document | 2 of 30 destinations |
| DU (Documento Único) | 1 of 30 destinations |
| ARCCLA application form | 1 of 30 destinations |
| Import declaration | 1 of 30 destinations |
| Local insurance certificate | 1 of 30 destinations |
| Cargo declaration | 1 of 30 destinations |
Guides and tools
Guides
- What is a CTN?What the certificate is, who issues it and the names each country uses.
- CTN Requirements by CountryAll destinations with the certificate each one requires.
- CTN Document NamesEvery certificate name (CTN, ECTN, BESC, BSC, FERI…) and where it applies.
- Transit ShipmentsCargo through a neighbouring port to a landlocked country.
Tools
- CTN Route CheckerWhich certificates your route needs, transit included.
- Find Required DocumentsThe documents to prepare for your destination, as a checklist.
- Deadline PlannerThe date your certificate must be validated by.
- Demurrage CalculatorWhat waiting at the port can cost per day.
- Compare CTN DocumentsTwo certificates side by side: names, deadlines, documents.
- Track a RequestFollow a request you have sent with its reference number.
- Multi-shipment deadline plannerAdd every shipment you are working on — your reference, the destination and the vessel date its rule needs — and see all validation deadlines in one list, the most urgent first.
- Port lookupType the port of discharge on your bill of lading. You see every destination on this site whose cargo is discharged there, and the certificate each one requires — transit ports included.
- Invoice value breakdownEnter the invoice total and the freight and insurance it includes. The tool shows the goods value (FOB) and flags a part the invoice leaves out.