Guinea ECTN/ICTN Certificate

Guinea ECTN — What It Is and Why It’s Required

All ocean freight shipments destined for Guinea (Conakry) require an ECTN (Electronic Cargo Tracking Note) — sometimes also referred to as an ICTN (International Cargo Tracking Note). The certificate must be obtained before the vessel departs from the port of loading and the ECTN number must be recorded on the Bill of Lading.

Conakry is Guinea’s main commercial port and one of West Africa’s significant gateway ports. Beyond direct imports, Conakry serves as a transit port for landlocked countries in the sub-region. The ECTN requirement gives Guinean customs advance notice of incoming cargo and helps reduce fraud and undervaluation at the port of discharge.

Required Documents

To obtain a Guinea ECTN, submit clear PDF copies of:

• Bill of Lading — draft copy accepted for 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

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

Processing Time

Allow approximately one week from document submission to final validated certificate. Draft certificates are typically issued within a few days once all documents are confirmed as accurate and complete.

Transit Cargo via Conakry

If your cargo is transiting through Conakry to Mali or another inland destination, you will need:

• A Guinea ECTN for the Conakry port call
• The destination country’s certificate (e.g., a Mali BESC)

These are separate applications. The Guinea ECTN alone does not cover inland customs clearance at the final destination.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

• Financial penalties at the port of discharge for cargo arriving without valid ECTN documentation
• Cargo detention — clearance will not proceed until proper documentation is in place
• Amendment fees — any changes to a validated certificate incur additional penalty charges
• Demurrage and storage charges accumulating during any documentation delay

The shipper at the port of loading bears full responsibility for obtaining the ECTN before departure.

What Products Cannot Be Imported Into Guinea?

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 ECTN certificates for prohibited goods.

Guinea Trade — Key Figures

Guinea is one of the world’s leading producers of bauxite and has significant reserves of iron ore, gold, and diamonds. The country’s import volume runs at approximately 3 billion USD annually. Key imports include machinery, petroleum products, vehicles, food, and construction materials. Trading partners include China, the Netherlands, India, and France. Conakry port has undergone significant modernisation and continues to expand its capacity to serve the growing West African hinterland market.

FAQ

Is an ECTN the same as an ICTN for Guinea? Yes. Both terms refer to the same certificate. ECTN (Electronic Cargo Tracking Note) and ICTN (International Cargo Tracking Note) are used interchangeably in the Guinea market.

Do I need a separate certificate for Mali transit via Conakry? Yes. You need both the Guinea ECTN for Conakry and a Mali BESC for the inland destination. These are two separate applications.

When must the ECTN be in place? Before the vessel departs the port of loading. The ECTN number must appear on the Bill of Lading before the ship sails.

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