Cargo waiver insights & guides
Plain-English explainers and best practice on African cargo tracking waivers — ECTN, BESC, CNCA, FERI and avoiding demurrage.
Cameroon BESC: Transit Shipment Documentation Update
Cameroon has exempted transit shipments via the Douala–N'Djamena and Douala–Bangui corridors from BESC requirements until further notice.
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Ivory Coast BSC (ECTN) Document Amendment Process: An Alexandria–Abidjan Case Study
A compliance case study on resolving an expired Import Declaration (FDI) and amending a BSC certificate to clear cargo at an Ivory Coast port.
Read more →BESC Certificate Now Required for Transit Cargo – Cameroon
Cameroon mandates BESC certificates for all transit shipments effective January 1, 2026, with noncompliance risking delays and penalties.
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Digital Transformation in DRC: Mandatory Electronic Document Transmission Now in Effect
The DRC mandates electronic trade documentation through an interministerial circular, with a phased nationwide rollout of paperless import, export and transit.
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ECTN Case Study: Managing a Split Bill of Lading for a Shipment to Lomé, Togo
How an ECTN application was restructured mid-process when the carrier split one bill of lading into two, meeting the vessel deadline without penalties.
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Liberia CTN Notice: Amendment Charges and Non-Compliance Penalties
Updated Liberia CTN regulations effective May 16, 2026 impose amendment charges and non-compliance penalties for late submissions.
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5 Easy Steps to Get Senegal BESC Certificate
Learn how to obtain a Senegal BESC Certificate (electronic cargo tracking document) in as few as 1-5 working days by preparing the required shipping documents.
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Understanding the ECTN Certificate: A Comprehensive Guide for Exporters
Essential overview of ECTN requirements, application processes, and benefits for exporters shipping to African countries.
Read more →Urgent: ACD Compliance Needed for Shipments to Yemen
All containerized cargo bound for Yemen requires a valid Advance Cargo Declaration (ACD) certificate per CTSYE directive, effective February 1, 2025.
Read more →ACD Will Be Mandatory for All Shipments to Yemen
Yemen's Ministry of Transport requires all shipments to Yemeni ports to obtain an ACD number at the port of origin, effective January 1, 2025.
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Algeria Trade Notes for Importers, Forwarders and Exporters
Comprehensive guide to Algeria's economy, export market, and mandatory import requirements including ECTN certification for cargo clearance.
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All-Round Guide to Ghana Shipment
Comprehensive overview of Ghana's import statistics, prohibited items, required documentation, and shipping procedures for traders and freight forwarders.
Read more →Benin BESC Notice: Announcement by the National Shippers Council (CNCB)
Benin's National Shippers Council mandates Electronic Cargo Tracking Notes for all seaborne cargo to Port of Cotonou, with penalties for non-compliance.
Read more →Chad ECTN Procedure: What Shippers Must Know
Chad requires an Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN) for all shipments; non-compliance results in substantial fines, delays and potential seizures.
Read more →Compliance Notice – ECTN Requirement for Somalia
Somalia now mandates valid ECTN certificates for all container shipments to its ports, effective October 14, 2025, per Ministry directive.
Read more →CTN Certificate Agents Worldwide
GetCTN provides Cargo Tracking Note certification services worldwide through online applications, with 24/7 support across multiple international office locations.
Read more →Difference Between the Waiver and the Cargo Tracking Note
A waiver is a legal release document accepting responsibility for losses, while a Cargo Tracking Note is a customs document for clearing goods in African ports.
Read more →The ECTN Certificate and Africa: Advancing Trade Efficiency
How the ECTN system modernizes Africa's trade infrastructure through digitized cargo documentation, improving customs revenue, maritime security and integration.
Read more →What is an ECTN and Why It's Essential for International Shipping
A complete overview of Electronic Cargo Tracking Notes — how they enhance security, speed up customs clearance, and ensure compliance in global shipping.
Read more →Expert Solutions for ECTNs
GetCTN simplifies ECTN compliance for African trade with expert guidance, documentation support, and 24/7 assistance for businesses of every size.
Read more →Gabon BIETC Important Update
Maersk has released a new advisory update regarding Gabon BIETC requirements that shippers and freight forwarders should review.
Read more →Ghana Cargo Tracking Note: All You Need to Know
Overview of Ghana's Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) requirements, implementation timeline, and its role in customs clearance for West African shipments.
Read more →How to Apply for a BESC (ECTN) Certificate: A Step-by-Step Guide
A step-by-step guide to the five-stage process for obtaining a BESC/ECTN certificate — mandatory documentation for cargo shipments to African countries.
Read more →How to Export from Spain to Angola
A guide to freight forwarders, documentation, incoterms, ports, and logistics for Spanish exporters shipping goods to Angola.
Read more →Important Notice – ECTN Requirement for Shipments to Mali
Mali's customs authority mandates Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN) documentation at the port of loading to avoid penalties and clearance delays.
Read more →Essential Points to Make Your Invoice Acceptable for a CTN Application
Commercial invoices are critical CTN application documents requiring specific details like FOB values, incoterms, and country-specific requirements.
Read more →Liberia Cargo Tracking Note CMA CGM Procedure
CMA CGM shipping line notice requiring validated CTN certificates for all shipments to or through Liberia, effective January 1, 2019.
Read more →Libya Customs Authority Update: ECTN Mandatory
Libya's Customs Ministry activated the ECTN system for all shipments as of February 3, making the Cargo Tracking Note mandatory for cargo operations.
Read more →New ACID Certificate Implemented in Egypt
Egypt's customs authorities have implemented ACID, a mandatory advanced cargo information system requiring shipment data 48 hours before departure.
Read more →New ECTN Guidelines for RO-RO Shipments to Cameroon
Cameroon now requires FIMEX registration or Special Import Authorization for ECTN issuance on RO-RO vehicle shipments effective May 1, 2025.
Read more →New ECTN Guidelines for Vehicle Components to Angola
Angola now mandates prior ANTT authorization for specific vehicle component imports, effective immediately under Presidential Decree No. 155/20.
Read more →New Mandatory ACD Requirement for All Sudan Shipments – Effective 1 January 2026
Sudan's Customs Authority mandates Advance Cargo Declaration (ACD) system implementation for all shipments beginning January 1, 2026.
Read more →Burkina Faso ECTN URN Number Requirement on Bill of Lading
Burkina Faso's Ministry of Transport mandated that all shipments include the ECTN Unique Reference Number on bills of lading effective April 20, 2023.
Read more →Nigeria CTN Requirements
Nigeria is implementing the Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) system to boost security, manage ports efficiently, and combat under-declaration of imported goods.
Read more →Republic of Congo ECTN Mechanism: A Detailed Explanation
How the Republic of Congo's electronic cargo tracking note (ECTN) system digitizes shipping documentation, improves cargo control and meets WTO requirements.
Read more →Warning: Ship Without Senegal BESC/CTN at Your Risk
Shipping lines including CMA CGM, Maersk, and ONE now enforce strict BESC certificate requirements for Senegal cargo or face penalties and denial of loading.
Read more →South Sudan ECTN Certificate Regulation
South Sudan's Ministry of Trade and Commerce mandates Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) certificates for all imports and exports, effective April 1, 2019.
Read more →Temporary Delay in ACI Implementation for Libya
Libya's ACI implementation has been postponed indefinitely, permitting shipments to proceed without an ACI number until a new start date is announced.
Read more →The 4 Most Important Facts About Sierra Leone ENS / BSC
Critical requirements for Sierra Leone ENS/BSC certificates: naming conventions, penalties, documentation accuracy, and exporter responsibilities.
Read more →Understanding the Different Names for ECTN Across Countries
ECTN goes by many names — BSC, ACID, CTN, FERI and more — each reflecting a nation's unique cargo documentation requirements. Here's the full map.
Read more →Update – Liberia CTN Charges for Earth Moving Machinery and Large Trucks
Liberia's CTN authority has revised billing, requiring earth-moving equipment and oversized cargo to be invoiced under Roll-On/Roll-Off tariffs.
Read more →Update on Sudan ACD Document Requirements – Packing List Added
Sudan's Advance Cargo Declaration now mandates a packing list alongside existing documentation, effective January 1, 2026, for all Sudan-bound shipments.
Read more →Update on Sudan ACD Document Requirements
Sudan Customs Authority has added Certificate of Origin to required ACD documentation, with mandatory compliance effective January 1, 2026.
Read more →What Countries Require ECTN for Shipments?
The ECTN is mandatory for maritime shipments to 28 African nations — here's the country list, application process, and compliance requirements.
Read more →What is ARCCLA?
Angolan authorities changed CNCA certificate representatives, leading to the rebranding as ARCCLA—but they remain the same certificate with different names.
Read more →Everything You Need to Know About BESC Certificates
BESC is a mandatory cargo tracking document for shipments to specific African countries, streamlining customs clearance and ensuring compliance.
Read more →What is a CTN Certificate? All You Need to Know
A Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) is an official loading document required by over 26 African countries to accompany shipments for customs clearance and monitoring.
Read more →What is ECTN? (Electronic Cargo Tracking Note)
The ECTN is a mandatory electronic document for shipping to African countries — enabling cargo clearance and tracking while preventing fraud and smuggling.
Read more →What is a Waiver Certificate?
A waiver certificate is a mandatory loading document for African shipments that helps exporters, importers, and freight forwarders clear cargo through customs.
Read more →What is Waiver Service for Africa?
A guide to ECTN and waiver certificates required for shipping goods to African countries — what they are, why they matter, and how to obtain one.
Read more →Yemen ACD Certificate Regulation Update
Yemen's Counter Terrorism Service requires an ACD certificate at the port of loading for all containerized shipments, with the ACD number on the Bill of Lading.
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