Frequently Asked Questions

ECTN is mandatory for many African countries including:

ECTN Countries: Togo, Burkina Faso, Niger, Guinea, Chad, Djibouti, Congo Republic, Libya, Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, Equatorial Guinea, Sierra Leone, Central African Republic.

BESC Countries: Benin, Cameroon, Mali, Senegal (for BSC).

FERI Country: Democratic Republic of Congo.

BIETC Country: Gabon.

CNCA Country: Angola.

BSC Countries: Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Senegal.

African countries that currently DO NOT require ECTN include:

South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Mauritius, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Ghana (requires CTN), Nigeria (requires BESC).

Note: Requirements change frequently. Always confirm with your destination country's customs authority or check with our documentation experts.

Common documents required for ECTN certificate processing include:

1. Bill of Lading (Draft or Final)
2. Commercial Invoice
3. Packing List
4. Freight Invoice
5. Shipping Bill/Export Custom Declaration (Name, Address, Contact)

A Shipping Bill is a legal document filed by exporters with Indian Customs authorities at the port of export. It contains details about the goods being exported, their value, destination country, and exporter information.

How it is issued:
1. Exporter submits shipping documents (Invoice, Packing List, etc.) to Customs via ICEGATE.
2. Customs authorities verify and approve the documents.
3. A Shipping Bill number is generated.
4. The Shipping Bill allows cargo to leave India and is essential for export documentation.

ACD Kenya (Advance Cargo Declaration) Procedures:

1. Agency do Shipper(mentioned on BL) Registration through his GST certificate on Kenya portal. 2. After few hours, Shipper details is verified and account is approved. 3. Exporter submits shipping documents (Bill of Lading, Invoice, Packing List) to their freight forwarder.
2. Freight forwarder submits cargo details to Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) via the Simba system.
3. ACD number is generated after submission.
4. The ACD number is printed on the Bill of Lading.
5. The shipment is processed at Kenya customs upon arrival using the ACD number.

Note: ACD Kenya is mandatory for all shipments arriving in Kenya.

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Submit Documents: Email or upload your shipping documents (Bill of Lading, Invoice, Packing List).
2. Document Verification: Our experts review your documents for completeness and accuracy.
3. Application Preparation: We prepare the ECTN application with destination country requirements.
4. Application Submission: The application is submitted to the relevant authority.
5. Approval Processing: The authority reviews and approves the application.
6. Draft Certificate: We receive the draft ECTN certificate.
7. Payment & Finalization: After payment, the final ECTN certificate is issued.
8. Delivery: The final ECTN certificate is sent to you by email.

Certificate of Origin (COO) is a document that certifies the country where the goods were manufactured or produced. It is required for customs clearance and to claim preferential tariff benefits.

How to get it:
1. Apply to your local Chamber of Commerce or Export Promotion Council.
2. Submit required documents (Invoice, Packing List, Manufacturing Declaration).
3. Pay the applicable fees.
4. Receive the certified COO document.

COO Issuing Authorities in India:

Delhi: PHD Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), ASSOCHAM
Mumbai: Bombay Chamber of Commerce, MVIRDA, Indian Merchants Chamber
Chennai: Madras Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Southern India Chamber of Commerce
Kolkata: Bengal Chamber of Commerce, Indian Chamber of Commerce
Bangalore: Karnataka Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Hyderabad: Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce
Ahmedabad: Gujarat Chamber of Commerce
Pune: Mahratta Chamber of Commerce
Jaipur: Rajasthan Chamber of Commerce
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chamber of Commerce

Note: FIEO (Federation of Indian Export Organisations) also issues COO from all its regional offices.

Documents required for Ivory Coast BSC (Bordereau de Suivi de Cargaison):

1. Bill of Lading (Draft or Final)
2. Commercial Invoice
3. Packing List
4. Freight Invoice
5. Exporter Details (Name, Address, Country)
6. Importer Details (Name, Address, Country)
7. Container Details (Container Numbers)
8. Cargo Description (HS Code, Weight)
9. Port of Loading and Destination Port (Abidjan)

Common Incoterms explained:

1. CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight): Seller covers cost, insurance, and freight to the destination port. Risk transfers to buyer when goods are loaded on the vessel.

2. CFR (Cost and Freight): Seller pays for cost and freight to the destination port. Buyer covers insurance. Risk transfers to buyer when loaded on vessel.

3. EXW (Ex Works): Buyer collects goods from seller's premises. Buyer bears all costs and risks from that point onwards.

On Commercial Invoice: The incoterm determines who pays for freight, insurance, and who bears the risk during transit. It affects the total invoice value and customs valuation.

Complete List of African Countries (54):

Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo (Brazzaville), Congo (DRC), Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Major Indian Ports:

1. Mumbai (Maharashtra) - India's largest port
2. Nhava Sheva (JNPT) (Maharashtra) - Largest container port
3. Chennai (Tamil Nadu)
4. Kolkata (West Bengal)
5. Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh)
6. Cochin (Kerala)
7. Mormugao (Goa)
8. Kandla (Gujarat)
9. Tuticorin (VOC Port) (Tamil Nadu)
10. Paradip (Odisha)
11. Mangalore (Karnataka)
12. Karwar (Karnataka)
13. Ennore (Kamarajar Port) (Tamil Nadu)
14. Krishnapatnam (Andhra Pradesh)
15. Mundra (Gujarat) - Private port
16. Pipavav (Gujarat) - Private port
17. Haldia (West Bengal)
18. Bhavnagar (Gujarat)
19. Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh)
20. Port Blair (Andaman & Nicobar)

Major African Ports:

North Africa: Casablanca (Morocco), Algiers (Algeria), Tunis (Tunisia), Tripoli (Libya), Alexandria (Egypt), Port Said (Egypt), Damietta (Egypt)

West Africa: Dakar (Senegal), Conakry (Guinea), Abidjan (Ivory Coast), Tema (Ghana), Takoradi (Ghana), Lomé (Togo), Cotonou (Benin), Lagos/Apapa (Nigeria), Port Harcourt (Nigeria), Onne (Nigeria), Douala (Cameroon), Kribi (Cameroon), Malabo (Equatorial Guinea)

Central Africa: Pointe-Noire (Congo), Libreville (Gabon), Matadi (DRC), Boma (DRC), Banane (DRC)

Southern Africa: Luanda (Angola), Lobito (Angola), Namibe (Angola), Walvis Bay (Namibia), Cape Town (South Africa), Durban (South Africa), Richards Bay (South Africa), Maputo (Mozambique), Beira (Mozambique)

East Africa: Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Mombasa (Kenya), Lamu (Kenya), Djibouti (Djibouti), Assab (Eritrea), Massawa (Eritrea), Suakin (Sudan), Port Sudan (Sudan), Mogadishu (Somalia), Berbera (Somalia), Toamasina (Madagascar), Mahajanga (Madagascar)

ECTN certificate is valid for a specific shipment only. It is tied to the Bill of Lading number and cannot be transferred to another shipment. The certificate must be issued before the cargo departs from the port of loading. Once issued, it remains valid for that specific shipment and must be presented to customs at the destination port.

ECTN processing typically takes 1 to 3 business days after receiving complete and correct documents. Express processing may be available for urgent shipments. Factors affecting processing time include document completeness, destination country requirements, and authority approval times.

If you ship cargo without ECTN to a country where it is mandatory, the following consequences may occur:

1. Cargo Delays: Your shipment will be held at the destination port.
2. Penalties/Fines: Customs authorities may impose heavy fines.
3. Demurrage Charges: Extra storage and container detention charges.
4. Cargo Rejection: In extreme cases, customs may reject the cargo.
5. Legal Issues: Importer may face legal complications.

Yes, ECTN is required for both FCL (Full Container Load) and LCL (Less than Container Load) shipments. The requirement applies to all cargo types, regardless of whether it is a full container or consolidated shipment. Each Bill of Lading must have a separate ECTN certificate.

The responsibility for obtaining ECTN typically lies with the exporter, importer, or freight forwarder. In most cases, the importer or the destination agent arranges the ECTN. However, it is best practice for the exporter to ensure ECTN is obtained before shipment to avoid any delays or issues at the destination port.

Once the ECTN certificate is issued, making changes can be difficult and may incur additional costs. If changes are required, you must contact the issuing authority or your documentation agent. Common changes like Bill of Lading number, container numbers, or importer details may require reissuance with additional fees.