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.
Countries Where CTN is Mandatory
Angola CNCA: Conselho Nacional de Carregadores de Angola
Benin BESC: Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des Cargaisons
Burkina Faso ECTN: Electronic Cargo Tracking Note
Burundi ECTN: Electronic Cargo Tracking Note
Cameroon BESC: Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des Cargaisons
The Central African Republic: Electronic Cargo Tracking Note
Chad BESC: Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des Cargaisons
The Democratic Republic of Congo FERI: Fiche Electronique Renseignement a L’Importation
Equatorial Guinea ECTN: Electronic Cargo Tracking Note
Gabon BIETC: Bordereau d’Identification Électronique de Traçabilité des Cargaisons
Ghana CTN: Cargo Tracking Note
Guinea Bissau CEE: Certificado Eletronico De Embarque
Guinea Conakry ECTN: Electronic Cargo Tracking Note
Ivory Coast BSC: Bordereau de Suivi des Cargaisons
Liberia CTN: Cargo Tracking Note
Libya ECTN: Electronic Cargo Tracking Note
Madagascar BSC: Bordereau de Suivi des Cargaisons
Mali BSC: Bordereau de Suivi des Cargaisons
Niger BSC: Bordereau de Suivi des Cargaisons
Nigeria ICTN: International Cargo Tracking Note
The Republic of Congo ECTN: Electronic Cargo Tracking Note
Senegal BSC: Bordereau de Suivi des Cargaisons
Sierra Leone ENS / BSC: Entry/Exit Summary Number
South Sudan ECTN: Electronic Cargo Tracking Note
Togo CTN: Cargo Tracking Note
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 provide you the best charges 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
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 with 24 hours.
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, Libya, 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 |
| International Cargo Tracking Note — Cargo tracking note for Nigerian ports | International Cargo Tracking Note | Cargo tracking note for Nigerian ports | Nigeria |
| 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.