Burkina Faso ECTN / URN Regulation — What Changed in 2023
Burkina Faso now requires an ECTN Reference Number on all Bills of Lading for cargo destined for the country. The regulation took effect on 20 April 2023.
The Burkina Faso government has made the Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN) mandatory for all shipments destined for the country. The regulation came into effect on 20 April 2023, requiring that an ECTN Reference Number appear on the Bill of Lading for every shipment bound for Burkina Faso.
This is part of a broader regional push across West and Central Africa to bring greater transparency and accountability to cargo movements. Burkina Faso joins a long list of countries — including Niger, Chad, Mali, and Côte d’Ivoire — that now require some form of cargo tracking certificate for all incoming ocean freight.
What Is the ECTN?
The Electronic Cargo Tracking Note is a digital certificate issued at the port of loading, based on the shipping documents provided. It contains details such as:
- Cargo type and quantity
- Shipper and consignee information
- Port of loading and estimated arrival date
- Container details
- Freight and cargo value
Each Bill of Lading requires its own ECTN certificate. The unique ECTN number must be endorsed on the B/L before the vessel departs.
Why Has Burkina Faso Introduced This?
Landlocked countries like Burkina Faso rely heavily on coordinating port-of-entry logistics in advance, since their cargo passes through coastal countries (primarily Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo) before reaching its final destination. The ECTN gives authorities early visibility into what is coming, allowing customs and transport agencies to prepare accordingly.
It also helps reduce corruption by ensuring that the declared value and nature of goods in shipping documents matches what actually arrives at the border.
Who Needs to Apply?
The obligation falls on the shipper or freight forwarder at the port of loading. The ECTN must be obtained before the vessel departs — it cannot be arranged after loading. Once the ECTN number is issued, it must be included on the Bill of Lading.
Penalties for Shipping Without an ECTN
Cargo arriving without a valid ECTN risks being held at the port, subjected to fines, and facing significant delays in customs clearance. Given that Burkina Faso is landlocked, any hold-up at the coastal port of entry compounds the problem considerably.
If you have a shipment going to Burkina Faso and need help getting the ECTN in place, contact our team. We handle applications quickly — typically within a few hours of receiving complete documentation.
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