Burkina Faso ECTN Certificate

Burkina Faso ECTN/URN — What It Is and Why It’s Required

All ocean freight destined for Burkina Faso requires an ECTN (Electronic Cargo Tracking Note) — often also designated as a URN (Unique Reference Number) in Burkina Faso’s customs documentation system. The certificate must be obtained before the vessel departs the port of loading.

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa with no direct sea access. All ocean freight enters via transit ports in neighbouring coastal nations. The ECTN covers the entire journey from the port of origin to the inland customs clearance point in Burkina Faso. It is a mandatory document for customs clearance — without it, goods cannot be released.

Which Transit Ports Are Used?

Burkina Faso cargo most commonly transits via:

• Abidjan (Ivory Coast) — the primary corridor
• Tema (Ghana) — second major route
• Cotonou (Benin) — with an additional Benin BESC required
• Lomé (Togo) — with an additional Togo ECTN required

When transiting via Abidjan or Tema, only the Burkina Faso ECTN/URN is needed. When transiting via Cotonou or Lomé, you will also need the respective transit country’s certificate (Benin BESC or Togo ECTN) as a separate application.

Required Documents

To obtain a Burkina Faso ECTN/URN, submit clear PDF copies of:

• Bill of Lading — draft copy accepted for the initial application; original required for final validation
• Commercial Invoice — must show accurate cargo value
• Freight Invoice — required if freight is not included on the commercial invoice
• Customs Declaration

All documents must be coherent and consistent. Discrepancies between documents are a leading cause of certification delays and penalty fees.

Processing Time

Allow approximately one week from document submission to final validated certificate. A draft certificate is typically ready within a few days once all documents are submitted and confirmed accurate.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

• Cargo detention at the transit port and inland customs point — goods will not clear without a valid ECTN/URN
• Financial penalties imposed by Burkina Faso customs authorities
• Demurrage and storage charges at the transit port while documentation issues are resolved
• Penalty fees for amendments after pre-validation

What Products Cannot Be Imported Into Burkina Faso?

Standard import restrictions apply:

• Animals and animal by-products from areas with active epizootic diseases
• Plants from areas affected by epiphytic diseases
• Certain distilled and spirituous beverages
• Pornographic materials and gambling equipment

We do not issue certificates for prohibited goods.

Burkina Faso Trade — Key Figures

Burkina Faso is one of the world’s largest gold producers and a significant cotton exporter. Import volume runs at approximately 3.5 billion USD annually. Key imports include machinery, vehicles, food products, petroleum products, and consumer goods. Ivory Coast is the primary trading partner for transit trade, with China, France, and India also significant suppliers. The Abidjan corridor accounts for the majority of Burkina Faso’s sea freight traffic.

FAQ

Does Burkina Faso cargo via Abidjan need an Ivory Coast BSC? No. When transiting via Abidjan, only the Burkina Faso ECTN/URN is required — no separate Ivory Coast BSC is needed for transit. The same applies to Tema (Ghana).

What if cargo goes via Cotonou or Lomé? You’ll need both the Burkina Faso ECTN/URN and the transit port’s own certificate (Benin BESC for Cotonou, Togo ECTN for Lomé). Two separate applications.

Can I apply after the vessel departs? No. The ECTN/URN must be in place before departure. Post-departure applications are not accepted as standard.

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