Nigeria CTN Certificate

Nigeria ECTN — What You Need to Know

Nigeria requires an Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN) — sometimes referred to as an ICTN or CTN — for all ocean freight shipments destined for Nigerian ports. The certificate must be in place before the vessel departs from the port of loading.

The Nigerian ECTN is a digital document issued based on your shipping documents. It records cargo type and quantity, shipper and consignee details, vessel information, loading and discharge ports, and the declared freight and cargo value. Each Bill of Lading requires its own ECTN — one per B/L.

Why Does Nigeria Require the ECTN?

Nigerian port authorities require advance cargo information before vessels arrive. The ECTN gives the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and port management early visibility into incoming shipments, enabling more efficient port operations and faster customs clearance once the vessel docks.

The system also helps combat fraud. By requiring documentation to be submitted and verified before loading — based on real transport documents — it’s much harder to undervalue cargo or submit inaccurate declarations at the destination port.

Without a valid ECTN, cargo cannot clear Nigerian customs. Importers face customs detention of goods, penalties, and escalating demurrage charges until proper certification is presented.

ENS (Entry Summary Declaration) — May Also Be Required

Nigeria operates a second pre-arrival documentation system — the ENS (Entry Summary Declaration) — which runs in parallel with the ECTN. The ENS is not always enforced consistently across all shipments and routes, but it is worth being aware of.

The ENS provides Nigerian Customs with detailed cargo information before vessel arrival, enabling risk-based targeting and faster clearance for compliant cargo. It is a separate document from the ECTN and does not replace it.

Key differences:

	ECTN	ENS
When required	Before vessel departs loading port	Before vessel arrives at Nigerian port
Issued by	Authorised partner (us)	Nigerian Customs Service
Per B/L?	Yes	Yes
Always enforced?	Yes	Inconsistent — check with your freight forwarder

If both are required for your shipment, we can process them together. Contact us with your B/L details.

Required Documents

To obtain a Nigeria ECTN, you’ll need to provide:

• Bill of Lading — draft copy accepted for the initial application
• Commercial Invoice — must include the Incoterm, reference number, and date
• Freight Invoice — required if freight charges are not shown on the commercial invoice
• Export Customs Declaration
• Importer’s email address and telephone number
• Exporter’s email address and telephone number

For the ENS, additionally provide a Packing List and Cargo Manifest details.

All documents must be clear and legible. Incomplete or unclear submissions will slow down processing.

How Long Does Processing Take?

ECTN processing typically takes up to 5 business days once all required documents and payment are received. ENS processing takes 3–5 working days. We recommend submitting well ahead of your vessel’s loading date.

You can cancel the application at any point during the process.

Nigerian Ports

The ECTN requirement applies to all 8 Nigerian maritime ports, including:

• Lagos/Apapa (Lagos Port Complex)
• Tin Can Island Port, Lagos
• Onne Port, Rivers State
• Calabar Port
• Warri Port, Delta State

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Cargo arriving at any Nigerian port without a valid ECTN faces:

• Detention of cargo at port
• Financial penalties from Nigerian Customs
• Accumulating demurrage and storage charges
• Significant delays to customs clearance

What Products Cannot Be Imported Into Nigeria?

The following items are prohibited from importation into Nigeria:

• 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 provide ECTN certificates for illegal products or equipment of any kind.

Nigeria Trade — Key Figures

Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy and one of the continent’s most active import markets, with annual import volume running at approximately 65 billion USD. Lagos remains the primary gateway for the vast majority of Nigeria’s ocean freight. Key imported goods include refined petroleum products, machinery and vehicles, electronics, chemicals, and manufactured goods. Major trading partners include China, India, the Netherlands, the US, and Belgium.

Nigeria ECTN — What You Need to Know

Nigeria requires an Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN) — sometimes referred to as an ICTN or CTN — for all ocean freight shipments destined for Nigerian ports. The certificate must be in place before the vessel departs from the port of loading.

The Nigerian ECTN is a digital document issued based on your shipping documents. It records cargo type and quantity, shipper and consignee details, vessel information, loading and discharge ports, and the declared freight and cargo value. Each Bill of Lading requires its own ECTN — one per B/L.

Why Does Nigeria Require the ECTN?

Nigerian port authorities require advance cargo information before vessels arrive. The ECTN gives the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and port management early visibility into incoming shipments, enabling more efficient port operations and faster customs clearance once the vessel docks.

The system also helps combat fraud. By requiring documentation to be submitted and verified before loading — based on real transport documents — it’s much harder to undervalue cargo or submit inaccurate declarations at the destination port.

Without a valid ECTN, cargo cannot clear Nigerian customs. Importers face customs detention of goods, penalties, and escalating demurrage charges until proper certification is presented.

Required Documents

To obtain a Nigeria ECTN, you’ll need to provide:

• Bill of Lading — draft copy accepted for the initial application
• Commercial Invoice — must include the Incoterm, reference number, and date
• Freight Invoice — required if freight charges are not shown on the commercial invoice
• Export Customs Declaration
• Importer’s email address and telephone number
• Exporter’s email address and telephone number

All documents must be clear and legible. Incomplete or unclear submissions will slow down processing.

How Long Does Processing Take?

Based on experience with Nigerian port procedures, ECTN processing typically takes up to 5 business days once all required documents and payment are received. We recommend submitting your application well ahead of your vessel’s loading date — don’t wait until the last minute.

You can cancel the application at any point during the process.

Nigerian Ports Requiring ECTN

Nigeria has 8 maritime ports — 2 major and 6 minor. The ECTN requirement applies to all of them, including:

• Lagos/Apapa (Lagos Port Complex)
• Tin Can Island Port, Lagos
• Onne Port, Rivers State
• Calabar Port
• Warri Port, Delta State

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Cargo arriving at any Nigerian port without a valid ECTN faces:

• Detention of cargo at port
• Financial penalties from Nigerian Customs
• Accumulating demurrage and storage charges
• Significant delays to customs clearance

The Nigerian Customs Service enforces these requirements consistently. It’s far less expensive to get the ECTN in place before loading than to deal with the consequences after arrival.

What Products Cannot Be Imported Into Nigeria?

The following items are prohibited from importation into Nigeria:

• 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 provide ECTN certificates for illegal products or equipment of any kind.

Nigeria Trade — Key Figures

Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy and one of the continent’s most active import markets. Lagos remains the primary gateway for the vast majority of Nigeria’s ocean freight. Key imported goods include refined petroleum products, machinery and vehicles, electronics, chemicals, and manufactured goods.