Central African Republic ECTN

C.A.R ECTN Certificate

A required document for all shipments to the Central African Republic ports.
Streamline your shipping process to the Central African Republic with our Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN) service. The ECTN is a mandatory document for all shipments, and failure to present it can result in significant penalties and fines. We offer a smooth process to secure the ECTN waiver certificate, taking care of the documentation and paperwork for you to ensure a hassle-free experience.

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What is the Central African Republic ECTN Certificate?

To avoid delays and fines at the destination, it’s essential to meet the ECTN requirements of the host country for sea-bound products. Although Douala (Cameroon) is the nearest port to the Central African Republic, Cameroon does not require transit freights to have a BESC certificate. Therefore, only the Central African Republic ECTN certificate is necessary.

Certificate Requirements

Which documents are needed for the Central African Republic ECTN?
The following documents are mandatory to obtain the Central African Republic ECTN certificate:

Bill of Lading
Commercial Invoice
Customs Declaration
Freight Invoice (not required if freight value is included in the Commercial Invoice)

To initiate the certification process, send PDF versions of the required documents to info@ectnindia.com. No hard copies are needed for ECTN issuance. Please ensure you submit the final, revision-free documents. Once validated, any changes to the documents will incur a penalty fee.

Easy Submission

Send your shipping documents directly to us via email—no portal or sign-up needed.

Quick Verification

We carefully review your documents to ensure they meet all destination country rules and provide you the ECTN draft.

Local Payment

Once verified, you’ll receive a payment link. Pay easily and safely online.

ECTN Delivered

Your validated ECTN certificate is issued and sent to your email—fast and ready for use.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does It Take To Get A Validated ECTN Certificate?

Due to strict regulations from the Central African Republic authorities, the process typically takes one week. The submitted documents must be consistent for the final certificate to be certified. After “Pre-validation,” an ECTN number will be assigned. Any modifications after this step will incur a penalty.

What Happens If It Takes More Than Five Days To Validate The Certificate After Obtaining The ECTN Reference?

Once the ECTN reference is obtained, you have five days to submit the original Bill of Lading with the issue location and date, ship-on-board date, and your signature and stamp. Failing to do so will result in the immediate cancellation of the certificate, and retrieving it will incur a penalty.

Can You Use The Same Export Declaration For Multiple Shipments?

The same export declaration can only be used for multiple shipments if all applications are submitted simultaneously. If not, obtaining a verified copy will not be possible.

Can I Use The Same ECTN Certificate For More Than One Shipment?

Each ECTN number is unique and applicable to a single shipment only. A separate validated ECTN certificate is required for each shipment.

Can The Procedure Be Completed If The Shipment Documentation Does Not Match?

All documents must match for the validated certificate to be issued. If there are discrepancies, the certificate will be rejected, and you will be asked to update the paperwork. Validation will only occur once the correct documents are submitted before the validation deadline.

If The Final Destination On The Export Declaration Changes To The Central African Republic, Am I Still Eligible For Validation?

If the destination changes after the vessel departs, authorities must be informed. They generally take a positive approach in such cases, but other details such as package quantity and weight should remain consistent with the original declaration

The ECTN system is a critical requirement for cargo entering many African ports. It enhances shipment tracking, reduces customs delays, and supports secure, transparent trade operations across the continent.

ECTN India is your trusted partner—committed to helping Indian businesses trade smoothly and confidently with Africa.