Several African countries require the official loading documentation known as the Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN). Somalia will require an ECTN starting from February 1, 2023. The ECTN certificate contains in-depth information about your products, how they were transported between ports, and how long it took.
Before the products arrive at the port, each shipment to a country where ECTN is necessary must be accompanied by the ECTN certificate. With ECTN certifications, destination port authorities may have all necessary information before shipments actually arrive, enabling your products to be prepared for customs clearance.
| Items | ECTN Fees |
|---|---|
| 20′ Container | $100 |
| 40′ Container | $150 |
| Vehicles < 5 Tons | $100 |
| Vehicles > 5 Tons | $150 |
| Bulk Pack | $0.84 / WM min $600 |
Why Are ECTN Certificates Important?
According to port officials, the ECTN’s objective is to drastically minimize risk and offer reliable evaluations of imported goods, their shippers, importers, and other information. Several African countries require exporters to notify customs officials of the specifics of shipments before they arrive.
Marine Custom Authorities can obtain information about the item being carried, the exporter and importer, the shipping route and methods, the kind and value of the cargo, and the amount of the freight through the ECTN certificate, also known as a waiver document. Remember that exporters must provide the required paperwork before the shipment gets to its destination.
The loading document provides customs officers with security assurance and permits cargo tracking before the shipment arrives at the port of discharge. Each country can use technology to maintain statistical data for upcoming logistical monitoring as well. Shipping or arrival without an ECTN certificate may incur hefty fines at the destination port.
The ECTN certificate system is administered by SCK Representation and ITR Logistics, two highly experienced companies with 20 years of expertise in the ECTN industry.
Procedure of Somalia CTN
- Required Documents: To obtain an ECTN, you typically need to provide a Bill of Lading, a Commercial Invoice, and a Freight Invoice.
- Responsibility for Obtaining ECTN: The ECTN must be obtained from the port of loading by the shippers, exporters, or freight forwarders.
- ECTN Reference Number on Bill of Lading: It is mandatory to include the ECTN Reference Number on the Bill of Lading for all shipments to Djibouti.
- Validation Timeline: The ECTN certificate should be validated at least five days before the vessel arrives in Somalia.
- Consequences of Non-Compliance: Not having a valid ECTN can lead to penalties, delays in customs clearance, and in severe cases, seizure or confiscation of goods.
Required Documents for Somalia CTN
- Bill of Lading:
- A document issued by a carrier to acknowledge receipt of cargo for shipment.
- It includes details like the origin and destination of the cargo, description of the goods, and the terms of the transport.
- Commercial Invoice:
- An invoice from the supplier to the buyer that provides proof of the transaction.
- It typically includes information about the goods sold, quantity, price, buyer and seller details, and other transactional information.
- Freight Invoice:
- This invoice details the freight charges associated with the transportation of goods.
- It includes information such as the cost of transport, type of transportation, and other charges related to the shipment.
Recommendations
Account Creation Guidelines for System Access
When establishing your system account, it is imperative to upload only your Business License. Uploading any other documents will result in the rejection of your account, necessitating a new registration process.
ECTN Certificate Application Process
It is advisable to initiate the application process for the Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN) Certificate well ahead of your intended shipping date, as processing times can vary.
Document Requirements for ECTN Application
To facilitate a smooth ECTN application, ensure that you have the following documents prepared:
- Bill of Lading
- Commercial Invoice
- Freight Invoice
Note: If the Freight Invoice details are included in the Commercial Invoice, the Commercial Invoice will be enough. All submitted documents must be clear and readable.
In the absence of a final Bill of Lading, applicants may proceed with a Draft Bill of Lading.
ECTN Draft Preparation
For the ECTN Draft, please include details of all containers and HS Codes.
It is important to understand that each shipment requires a distinct ECTN Certificate. Submitting incorrect or incomplete information may lead to certificate rejection and could cause delays and further complications.
Support and Assistance
Should you find the process challenging, we offer dedicated email support. For assistance, please contact us via email or consider working with a trusted ECTN provider like getctn.com for streamlined services.