Liberia CTN Certificate

Liberia CTN — What It Is and Why It’s Required

Since 2018, per a ministerial directive enforced by Liberia’s National Port Authority (NPA), all imports into Liberia require a CTN (Cargo Transport Note) — also referred to as an ACD (Advance Cargo Declaration). The certificate must be in place before the vessel departs and the CTN number must appear on both the Bill of Lading and the Cargo Manifest for customs clearance at the port of discharge.

Monrovia (Freeport of Monrovia) is Liberia’s primary commercial port. Shipments arriving without valid CTN documentation cannot clear customs — which means cargo detention, escalating demurrage costs, and potential penalties from the NPA.

Required Documents

To obtain a Liberia CTN, 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 and Incoterms
• Freight Invoice — required if freight cost is not detailed on the commercial invoice
• Customs Declaration

Documents must be final and consistent before submission — amendments after pre-validation incur penalty fees.

Processing Time

Allow approximately one week from document submission to final validated certificate. A draft is typically issued within one working day when all documents are complete and coherent. The final approval involves verification through the main office in Monrovia, which is why the overall process can take up to a week.

Do not submit documents until they are in their final form. Corrections after the process starts add cost and delay.

Important: CTN Number on Manifest

Unlike some other African cargo certificates where the number only needs to appear on the Bill of Lading, Liberia requires the CTN number on the cargo manifest as well. Make sure both documents reflect the CTN number before the vessel sails. Confirm this with your shipping line when booking.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Cargo arriving at Monrovia without valid CTN documentation faces:

• Financial penalties imposed by the National Port Authority
• Customs detention — cargo will not be released until proper documentation is presented
• Demurrage and storage charges that accumulate until the issue is resolved

The shipper or freight forwarder at the port of origin is responsible for obtaining the CTN. This cannot be arranged from Liberia after the vessel has departed.

What Products Cannot Be Imported Into Liberia?

Standard West African import restrictions apply:

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

We do not issue CTN certificates for prohibited goods.

Liberia Trade — Key Figures

Liberia is a recovering economy with significant potential driven by iron ore, rubber, gold, and timber exports. Import volume runs at approximately 1.2 billion USD annually. Key imports include fuel and petroleum products, machinery, vehicles, rice, and consumer goods. Major trading partners include South Korea, China, Japan, and European nations. The Freeport of Monrovia is the country’s central logistics hub and has been the focus of significant infrastructure investment in recent years.

FAQ

What is the difference between a CTN and an ACD for Liberia? They refer to the same document. CTN (Cargo Transport Note) is the commonly used term; ACD (Advance Cargo Declaration) is the alternate designation used in some regulatory documents. Both mean the same certificate.

Does the CTN number go on both the B/L and the manifest? Yes. The CTN number must appear on both the Bill of Lading and the Cargo Manifest. This is a specific Liberia requirement that differs from some other markets — confirm it with your shipping line at booking.

Can I apply after the vessel sails? No. The CTN must be validated before vessel departure. Post-departure applications create significant complications and are not a standard workaround.

Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +971 56 470 4833