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kyle.hallner@getctn.com
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What is BSC?
CTN is a mandatory loading document for all shipments to Togo. It is also known as BSC.
It was determined as a regulation in 2000 by the Togo Customs Officials. Failing to present the CTN document will lead to severe consequences and a hefty fine.
Procedure
According to this law, every cargo purchased from abroad and transported for commercial, business, in some cases, diplomatic and personal purposes require a Loading Certificate called CTN – Cargo Tracking Note.
The shipper or the freight forwarder is responsible for acquiring the CTN waiver certificate from the authorized representative.
- Bill of Lading – A draft copy can be used for the draft.
- Commercial Invoice
- Freight Invoice – It is necessary if the freight cost isn’t on the commercial invoice.
- Export Customs Declaration – Details must be the same across all documents if it is not cross-trade.
- According to Togo Customs regulations, all cargo to Togo must be accompanied by an ECTN certificate.
- The ECTN certificate must be validated five days before the vessel arrives at the latest.
- Shipments that arrive without ECTN or with false information on the ECTN get charged twice the certificate cost plus the regulation charge determined by the Togo National Port Officials.
- A draft Bill of lading is required to generate the ECTN number.
Togo ECTN Regulations
FAQs related to Togo ECTN Certificate
Yes. The Togo ports are widely used for transit purposes. They are mainly used for transit shipments to Burkina Faso and Niger, as well as Ghana and Benin, though they have their own ports in certain cases. Whether the goods are discharged at the Togo ports for transit purposes or as a final destination, each shipment must have a valid Togo ECTN certificate.
Yes. The Togo ECTN validation process is split into two parts. First, the certificate gets pre-validated, where the shipper is provided with the ECTN number. Then, we require the Original Bill of Lading copy with the ECTN number to validate the certificate.
After Carriage Value is the transportation charges between the port of discharge and the delivery address. This charge must be shown on the commercial invoice to obtain Togo ECTN.
In some cases, especially when Incoterm is DAP (Delivery At Place), Togo Custom Authorities require After Carriage value along with FOB and Freight value to be depicted on the Commercial Invoice.
Yes, you need to obtain ECTN numbers for Roll on Roll (RORO) shipments to Togo. A separate ECTN number will be issued for each vehicle.
No, you don’t need to get Togo ECTN for air freight to Togo but you have to get Togo ECTN for RoRo, container, LCL, and bulk freights.
No, ECTN is unique and reserved only for one shipment. Every shipment must have a validated ECTN number.
You don’t need to worry about this. The values on the ECTN certificate will be mentioned as per the invoice issued to the final customer in Togo.
It is not mandatory for values on the Commercial Invoice and the Export Declaration to match if the shipment is cross-trade.
The Togo ports are widely used for transit purposes. They are mainly used for transit shipments to Burkina Faso and Niger, as well as Ghana and Benin, though they have their own ports, in certain cases. Whether the goods are discharged at the Togo ports for transit purposes or as a final destination, each shipment must have a valid Togo ECTN certificate.
General FAQs
GetCTN is an independent consulting firm that helps clients obtain CTN certificates in many African countries. It is an international company with offices in the USA, UK, and UAE, and its sole business is CTN certification; it is not a freight forwarder, importer, or exporter.
The hard copy of the certificate isn’t necessary at all. Instead, the whole process is completed online.
A bill of lading (BL or BoL) is a legal document issued by a carrier to a shipper that details the type, quantity, and destination of the goods being carried.
A commercial invoice is a required document for the export and import clearance process. It is sometimes used for foreign exchange purposes. In the buyer’s country, it is the document their customs officials use to assess import duties and taxes.