When moving goods across the globe, there are many things that could cause costly delays that halt cargo for days or even weeks. If your shipment is going to one of more than 25 countries in Africa, then you will need an additional customs clearance document known as the ECTN (electronic cargo tracking note)
The ECTN is a required document for customs clearance in many African countries such as DR Congo, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Benin and more. It helps with port security, verification of the cargo that is being imported, and speeds up customs clearance. Below are 6 of the most common issues that slow shippers down when their goods arrive in one of these countries.
One of the most common delays we see when goods arrive in Africa is the absence of a cargo tracking note. Missing the ECTN entirely will cause the cargo to be held until a valid ECTN is issued.
Since these certificates record shipment data prior to vessel arrival and allow customs to verify cargo details and enhance port security, when it is missing the authorities can refuse to clear the cargo until a valid ECTN is obtained.
Why it Causes Delays:
- The ECTN verifies cargo details prior to vessel arrival
- Customs cannot clear the cargo until a valid ECTN is issued
How to Avoid It:
Apply through a CTN agent early, verify the requirement and validation deadline and ensure the CTN number is shared with the carrier prior to vessel arrival.
2 Incomplete or Conflicting Shipping Documents
Many delays come from missing or incomplete documents. Such as the shipper or consignee name not matching between documents such as the bill of lading, commercial invoice and export declaration. If the CTN is validated with these inconsistencies between documents that will be reason for rejection at port.
How to Avoid It:
Double checks of all shipping documents for consistency and accuracy and be sure that they match ECTN exactly to prevent issues when arriving at destination.
3 Late Submission of Pre-Arrival Information
All 25+ countries that require the ECTN have a deadline for vessel arrival at the latest. Some countries require validation prior to vessel departure such as Gabon, within 5 days of vessel sailing like Republic of Congo or a minimum of 5 days prior to vessel arrival in Cameroon. If you miss the deadline for your shipment, there will be penalties enforced at destination, some of them upwards of 200% the cost of the ECTN, that must be paid before the cargo is cleared.
How to Avoid it:
Know each country’s pre-arrival requirements and deadlines well before the cargo is loaded.
4 Restricted or Prohibited Goods Being Imported
Many countries have restrictions on what goods can be imported. Whether that is agricultural or vehicular restrictions, if your shipment contains any of the goods that are banned the cargo will be turned away if it arrives. Angola prohibits the importation of the following HS codes: 1101.00, 1102.00, 1511.10, 1507.10 and more.
How to Avoid it:
Verify the restrictions through your freight forwarder or CTN agent prior to booking the shipment.
5 Shipments in Transit Through Neighboring Countries
Landlocked countries such as Chad, South Sudan, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso rely on transit through neighboring states. That means that cargo often passes through multiple jurisdictions. More borders mean more opportunities for:
- Additional inspections
- Document requirements
- Payment of in-transit fees
- Coordination delays between authorities
For example, cargo destined for Burkina Faso will travel through Togo each with its own regulations including CTN requirements.
How to Avoid it:
Work with your freight forwarder or shipping line that has experience in cross-border African logistics and ensure all countries’ requirements are met, not only the destination.
6 Payment or Approval Delays During ECTN Validation
Even when the correct documentation is gathered on time, the process is still not complete. Many shippers get all shipping documents together and send them off to the CTN agent on time but that does not complete the process. The shipper will still need to:
- Check the draft CTN against all supporting documents
- Approve the draft CTN
- Make payment of the invoice
If the entire CTN process is not completed prior to the deadline then this will still cause delays.
How to Avoid it:
Begin the application process as soon as the bill of lading (BL) is available and make sure to follow the ECTN process to completion.
Final Thoughts
Pre-arrival documentation must be arranged to ensure your goods move through African ports quickly and smoothly. Do double check with your freight forwarder and CTN agent to confirm that all requirements are met in a timely manner. This can save you days or even weeks at destination port. The ECTN is a critical piece of the shipping process and cannot be overlooked, if you need help you can contact AfricaCTN for more information.
Author Bio
Alex Russell is the Vice President at AfricaCTN located in Houston, Texas serving freight forwarders and shippers around the globe. Helping them obtain the ECTN for shipments with destinations of more than 25 African Countries.
