Guinea-Bissau CEE/ECTN Certificate

Guinea-Bissau CEE — What It Is and Why It’s Required

All maritime shipments destined for Guinea-Bissau require a CEE (Certificado Eletrônico de Embarque) — the Portuguese-language designation for the Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN). The requirement was established by directive 08/08/2011 issued by the Guinea Bissau Shippers’ Council (CNC-GB), the national regulatory authority for cargo certification.

The CEE must be obtained before the vessel departs the port of loading. Bissau is Guinea-Bissau’s capital and primary port. The certificate must be validated and the reference number included on the Bill of Lading before the ship sails.

Required Documents

To obtain a Guinea-Bissau CEE/ECTN, submit clear PDF copies of:

• Bill of Lading — draft copy accepted for initial application; original required for final validation (must be submitted within 5 days of receiving the CEE reference number)
• Commercial Invoice — must show accurate cargo value
• Freight Invoice — required if freight cost is not shown on the commercial invoice
• Customs Declaration

Documents must be fully consistent. Discrepancies between the B/L, commercial invoice, and packing list are a common cause of rejection.

The 5-Day Rule — Do Not Miss This

Once you receive the CEE reference number, you have 5 days to submit the original Bill of Lading (stamped, dated, with the shipped-on-board notation). If the 5-day window passes without the original B/L being submitted, the certificate is automatically cancelled and you will face penalty fees to reinstate it.

This deadline is strictly enforced. Ensure your shipping line issues the original B/L promptly after the vessel sails.

Processing Time

Allow approximately one week from document submission to final validated certificate. The overall process typically takes about a week due to verification steps, though a draft CEE reference number is issued faster once initial documents are confirmed.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

• Financial penalties at the port of discharge for cargo arriving without valid CEE documentation
• Automatic cancellation fees if the original B/L is not submitted within the 5-day window, with reinstatement charges applying
• Penalty fees for any document changes after pre-validation — changes are not standard and incur additional costs
• Cargo detention until documentation is resolved
• No refunds until corrected documents are provided when mismatches are found

The shipper bears full responsibility for obtaining valid certification. Cargo arriving without a CEE faces penalties and clearance delays.

What Products Cannot Be Imported Into Guinea-Bissau?

Standard West African 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 CEE certificates for prohibited goods.

Guinea-Bissau Trade — Key Figures

Guinea-Bissau is one of West Africa’s smallest and least-developed economies. The country is the world’s sixth-largest cashew producer, with cashew exports dominating its trade profile. Import volume runs at approximately 300 million USD annually. Key imports include food products, fuel, machinery, and consumer goods. Senegal, China, India, and Portugal are primary trading partners. Bissau port handles the country’s limited but regular commercial shipping traffic.

FAQ

What does CEE stand for? Certificado Eletrônico de Embarque — Portuguese for Electronic Loading Certificate, equivalent to the ECTN used elsewhere in Africa. Both terms refer to the same document.

Who mandated the CEE requirement? The Guinea Bissau Shippers’ Council (CNC-GB), the national cargo regulatory authority, via directive 08/08/2011.

What happens if I don’t submit the original B/L within 5 days? The certificate is automatically cancelled and penalty fees apply before reinstatement. This is strictly enforced — make sure your shipping line prioritises B/L issuance for Guinea-Bissau shipments.

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