Overview
The ECTN / BESC (Bordereau Électronique de Suivi de Cargaison) is Burkina Faso's mandatory cargo tracking note, issued under the authority of the Conseil Burkinabè des Chargeurs (CBC). Because Burkina Faso is landlocked, its imports transit through the coastal ports of Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire), Tema (Ghana), Lomé (Togo) or Cotonou (Benin) before moving overland to Ouagadougou. The certificate must be validated in good time — the exact cut-off depends on the routing — so the goods, shipper and freight values can be reconciled against the Bill of Lading for both the maritime leg and the inland transit. A missing or invalid ECTN/BESC leads to clearance delays, demurrage at the transit port and regulatory fines.
Discharge ports
Required documents
Official ECTN Document Sample
Verify the layout, stamps, and ECTN customs format of a validated Burkina Faso loading certificate:
Application process
- 1The shipper or freight forwarder applies for the Burkina Faso ECTN/BESC before the cargo reaches the coastal transit port.
- 2Prepare the Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice and Packing List for validation.
- 3Confirm the transit corridor (Abidjan, Tema, Lomé or Cotonou) so the certificate matches the routing to Ouagadougou.
- 4Our compliance desk validates the cargo and freight data against Conseil Burkinabè des Chargeurs (CBC) requirements and issues the number.
- 5File early — the certificate must be in place for the maritime leg and the inland transit to avoid penalties.
Timeline
| Step | Duration |
|---|---|
| Submit documents | Your action |
| Draft & invoice | 1 hour on average |
| Approve draft | Your action |
| Payment | Your action |
| Final validation | 1 to 24 hours |
Special rules & HS codes
Landlocked — match your transit corridor
Burkina Faso's imports transit through Abidjan, Tema, Lomé or Cotonou before moving overland to Ouagadougou. The certificate must be validated in good time — the exact cut-off depends on the routing — and must match the chosen corridor, covering both the maritime leg and the inland transit.
Official sources
Burkina Faso ECTN sources
The Burkina Faso ECTN rules on this page come from the official notices of the Conseil Burkinabè des Chargeurs (CBC).
- CBC: joint order N°2009-0012/MT/MEF and notices N°2013/071 and N°2023-0026 (URN on the Bill of Lading)
- CBC: Burkina Faso ECTN agents and the CBC ECTN application
accessed
Top 3 causes of Burkina Faso ECTN rejection
- ECTN number not mentioned on the BL.
- Commercial invoice is not translated into French (mandatory for validation).
- Discrepancy in net vs. gross weight on the packing list.
Specific questions: Burkina Faso
What is the Burkina Faso URN?
The URN is the reference number of the Burkina Faso ECTN. CBC notice N°2023-0026/CBC/DG/DSI/oem requires it on the Bill of Lading of all cargo bound for Burkina Faso since 20 April 2023.
Is the Burkina ECTN the same as the Burkina Faso BESC?
Yes. Burkina ECTN, Burkina Faso ECTN certificate and Burkina Faso BESC all mean the same CBC document. The older paper BSC was replaced by the electronic BESC in 2009.
Can a Burkina Faso ECTN be corrected or refused?
Once granted, a Burkina Faso ECTN can only be changed through a correction request. If the CBC refuses an ECTN because the freight, the nature or the value of the goods looks wrong, this is not a loading ban, but a new ECTN must be submitted.
Latest updates: Burkina Faso
The Burkinabe Shippers' Council (CBC) mandated that all shipments include the ECTN Unique Reference Number on bills of lading effective April 20, 2023.
Frequently asked questions
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