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Comprehensive Guide

Republic of Congo ECTN Certificate — The Complete Guide

Last updated: August 4, 2026

The ECTN (Electronic Cargo Tracking Note) is required for sea shipments to Republic of Congo, discharging at Pointe-Noire. This guide covers the documents you need, how the filing runs, and the country-specific rules that decide whether the certificate validates on the first attempt.

Start your certificateSee the country rules

Overview

The ECTN — Electronic Cargo Tracking Note — is the electronic cargo tracking note required for sea shipments to Republic of Congo, which discharge at Pointe-Noire. It ties the shipper, consignee, cargo and freight values on your Bill of Lading to a single reference that customs can reconcile before the cargo is worked. Filing deadlines differ by destination — some require the certificate before the vessel sails, others later — so we confirm the exact cut-off for your route before anything is filed. Cargo that only passes through on its way to a landlocked neighbour is treated as in-transit and still needs a certificate, so the routing has to be documented from the start.

Discharge ports

Pointe-Noire

Required documents

Bill of Lading
Draft or final; weights, seals and discharge port must match the cargo.
Commercial Invoice
Goods and declared values as shipped.
Freight Invoice
Required when freight is not shown on the commercial invoice.
Export Customs Declaration

Application process

  1. 1
    Submit
    Send your Bill of Lading and Commercial Invoice, with the Freight Invoice if freight is not shown on the commercial invoice.
  2. 2
    Draft & invoice
    We prepare a draft certificate and a fixed-price invoice within 3–6 hours.
  3. 3
    Approve
    You review the draft and confirm every detail before anything is filed.
  4. 4
    Payment
    The fixed-price invoice is settled so the file can go forward for validation.
  5. 5
    Validate
    The certificate is validated and the final ECTN number is confirmed.

Timeline

StepDuration
Submit documentsYour action
Draft & invoice3–6 hours
Approve draftYour action
PaymentYour action

Special rules & HS codes

Rule 1

The ECTN number is issued at validation, so it cannot be supplied in advance.

Rule 2

The customs declaration requirement does not apply for shipments loading in the USA.

Rule 3

It is not possible to create an ECTN number for Congo on forehand.

Rule 4

Printing the ECTN number on the Master Bill of Lading is not required by the authority, but individual carriers may ask for it.

Rule 5

The costs for an ECTN will increase by 50% in case a validation is requested beyond three (3) calendar days after departure of the vessel.

Frequently asked questions

The ECTN — Electronic Cargo Tracking Note — is the electronic cargo tracking note required for sea shipments to Republic of Congo, discharging at Pointe-Noire.

Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice, Freight Invoice and Export Customs Declaration.

Filing deadlines differ by destination — some require the certificate before the vessel sails, others later. We confirm the exact cut-off for your route before anything is filed.

A draft certificate and a fixed-price invoice come back within 3–6 hours of receiving your documents.

Yes. Cargo moving onward to a landlocked neighbour still needs a certificate, and the transit routing must be documented.

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