Ghana CTN Certificate

Ghana CTN — The Basics

Ghana requires an Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN), also known as a Smart Port Note (SPN) or CTN (Cargo Tracking Note), for all goods destined for Ghana — including transit shipments. The requirement has been in force since November 2023 and applies to all ports, including Tema (the main commercial port) and Takoradi.

Each Bill of Lading or Airway Bill requires its own CTN. The certificate documents the cargo type, quantity, shipper and consignee details, container specifications, and the loading and discharge port information. Significant fines may be imposed on shipments that arrive without valid ECTN documentation.

Why Ghana Requires the CTN

The CTN serves a dual purpose. It notifies port authorities about incoming cargo before the vessel arrives, giving the port time to manage berth allocation, equipment deployment, and customs resource planning. It also creates an official record of cargo details at the time of loading, which helps detect undervaluation and fraudulent documentation.

Without a valid CTN, cargo cannot clear Ghana customs. Demurrage fees accumulate until proper documentation is presented — and the longer it takes to resolve, the more expensive the situation becomes.

Required Documents

Two stages of documentation are required for the Ghana CTN process:

For pre-validation:

• Commercial Invoice
• Packing List
• Export Customs Declaration

For final validation:

• Original Bill of Lading (must be submitted to complete the validation process)

Pre-validated certificates must be fully validated within 7 days. If you don’t complete the validation within this window, the application is automatically deleted and all data is lost — you’d need to start again from scratch.

Important Notices

Who applies: The CTN application must be made by the shipper or exporter at the port of origin. Importers in Ghana cannot apply. If your consignee tries to handle this from the destination side, it won’t work.

Amendments: Once a CTN has been validated, it cannot be amended. If corrections are needed after validation, the consignee must request amendments at the port of discharge — not the shipper.

Non-refundable fees: Once the CTN application process has started, fees are non-refundable. If you’re unsure whether your shipment requires a CTN, verify before submitting.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Ghana enforces its CTN requirement consistently. Shipments arriving at Tema or Takoradi without valid ECTN documentation face:

• Substantial fines from Ghana’s port authority
• Cargo being held pending documentation
• Accumulating demurrage charges

What Products Cannot Be Imported Into Ghana?

The following are prohibited from importation into Ghana:

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

We do not issue CTN certificates for illegal products or equipment of any kind.

Ghana Trade — Key Figures

Ghana is one of West Africa’s most stable and growing economies. Import volumes run at approximately 1.19 billion USD per month, with exports at around 1.31 billion USD monthly. Key imported goods include refined petroleum, machinery, vehicles, chemicals, and electronics. Tema port handles the bulk of Ghana’s container traffic and is one of the most active ports on the West African coast.