Official authorised channel · Compliant & efficient
CTN, ECTN & BESC Compliance for Shipments to Africa
One-stop official-channel ECTN services for freight forwarders, exporters and carriers — 31 countries
Full regulatory compliance, accurate documentation and timely reference numbers before sailing — smoother customs clearance at African destination ports. Direct authorised channels, competitive pricing, issuance in as little as 2 hours.
Price Advantage
Competitive rates
Time Advantage
As fast as 2 hours
31 Countries
Major African ports
Authorised channels
Multiple official partnerships
About ECTN & AfriCTN.com
AfriCTN.com helps shippers obtain Electronic Cargo Tracking Notes (ECTN) and equivalent African pre-shipment certificates through authorised official channels. An ECTN must be issued before cargo loads for many African destinations; without it, shipments may be delayed, fined, or refused at customs.
- ECTN (also called CTN, BESC, BSC, FERI, CNCA, or BIETC depending on country) is required before sailing for imports to 31 African destinations served by AfriCTN.com.
- Typical issuance: 1–4 business days standard; express from 2 hours where available.
- Process: submit documents online → review & receive draft with quote → confirm draft → pay → receive final certificate.
- AfriCTN.com also offers manual ECTN certificate verification and a knowledge base with country guides and FAQs.
How It Works
Submit Documents
Complete the online form and upload required shipping documents.
Confirm Draft
Review the draft against your BL and invoice; request changes online if needed.
Make Payment
After you confirm the draft, pay via bank transfer.
Receive Certificate
After payment, we issue and deliver your official CTN/ECTN certificate.
ECTN terminology
African countries use different names for the same type of pre-shipment cargo tracking certificate.
- ECTN
- Electronic Cargo Tracking Note — a mandatory pre-shipment document for cargo entering certain African countries. Must be obtained before loading.
- BESC
- Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des Cargaisons — the ECTN equivalent used in Benin, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, and several other West/Central African countries.
- BSC
- Bordereau de Suivi des Cargaisons — Côte d'Ivoire's name for the electronic cargo tracking note.
- FERI
- Fiche Électronique des Renseignements à l'Importation — DR Congo's electronic import information sheet, functionally similar to ECTN.
- CNCA / BIETC
- CNCA (Angola) and BIETC (Gabon) are country-specific cargo tracking certificates required before shipment.
Supported Countries
We handle ECTN applications for all major African destinations
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about ECTN requirements and AfriCTN.com services.
- What is an ECTN?
- An Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN) is a mandatory pre-shipment document for imports to several African countries. Exporters must apply and receive a valid ECTN number before cargo is loaded, or the shipment may not clear customs at destination.
- Which countries require ECTN?
- AfriCTN.com handles applications for 31 destinations including Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Egypt (ACID), Libya (ECTN), Nigeria (ICTN), Yemen (ACD), and others. Each country may use a different local name (BESC, BSC, FERI, CNCA, BIETC, ACID, ICTN, ACD, or ECTN).
- How long does ECTN issuance take?
- Standard processing is typically 1–4 business days after documents and payment are confirmed. Express issuance from 2 hours is available for some destinations where the official channel supports it.
- What documents are needed to apply?
- Requirements vary by country but commonly include bill of lading draft, commercial invoice, packing list, and export declaration. Country-specific pages on AfriCTN.com list exact requirements for each destination.
- What is the difference between ECTN, BESC, and FERI?
- They are regional names for the same category of pre-shipment cargo tracking certificate. BESC is common in West/Central Africa, BSC in Côte d'Ivoire, FERI in DR Congo, and ECTN in other countries — all serve similar customs pre-clearance purposes.
- How can I verify an ECTN certificate?
- AfriCTN.com offers manual ECTN authenticity verification. Upload your certificate PDF and our team checks it against official channel records and reports whether it appears valid.