South Sudan ECTN Certificate

South Sudan ECTN — What It Is and Why It’s Required

All ocean freight shipments destined for South Sudan require an ECTN (Electronic Cargo Tracking Note). The certificate must be obtained before the vessel departs the port of loading and the ECTN reference number must appear on the Bill of Lading.

South Sudan is a landlocked country in East Africa. All sea freight enters via transit ports in neighbouring countries — primarily Mombasa (Kenya), Djibouti, or Massawa (Eritrea). Importantly, when any of these ports serves as a transit point for South Sudan cargo, the South Sudan ECTN alone is sufficient — no separate transit country certificate is required for the Mombasa, Djibouti, or Massawa port call when the cargo is destined for South Sudan.

Juba is the capital and primary commercial centre; most inland delivery is through the Mombasa-Kampala-Juba corridor.

Required Documents

To obtain a South Sudan 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 ECTN 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 final and fully consistent before submission. Amendments after pre-validation incur penalty fees.

The 5-Day Rule — Critical Deadline

Once you receive the ECTN reference number, you have 5 days to submit the original Bill of Lading (stamped, dated, with the shipped-on-board notation). If this deadline is missed, the certificate is automatically cancelled and reinstatement fees apply.

Coordinate with your shipping line to ensure the B/L is issued promptly after the vessel sails.

Transit Port Note — No Double Certificate Needed

Unlike some other landlocked markets, South Sudan has a helpful rule: when Mombasa, Djibouti, or Massawa serve as transit ports for South Sudan-bound cargo, the South Sudan ECTN is sufficient for the full journey — you do not need to obtain a separate Kenyan, Djibouti, or Eritrean certificate for the transit port call.

This simplifies the documentation significantly compared to some other landlocked African markets.

Processing Time

Allow approximately one week from document submission to final validated certificate. Pre-validation is typically issued within a few days once documents are confirmed accurate and consistent.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

• Financial penalties from South Sudan customs authorities
• Cargo detention at the transit port or inland entry point
• Automatic cancellation and reinstatement fees if the 5-day B/L window is missed
• Penalty fees for any document amendments after pre-validation
• Demurrage and storage charges accumulating during any hold period

What Products Cannot Be Imported Into South Sudan?

Standard East African import restrictions apply:

• Animals and animal by-products from areas with active epizootic diseases
• Plants from areas affected by epiphytic diseases
• Weapons and ammunition (subject to applicable international controls)
• Pornographic materials and gambling equipment
• Goods subject to applicable international sanctions

We do not issue ECTN certificates for prohibited goods.

South Sudan Trade — Key Figures

South Sudan is one of the world’s youngest countries (independent since 2011) and has faced significant challenges, but commercial import activity continues. The country’s import volume runs at approximately 1.5 billion USD annually. Key imports include food products, machinery, vehicles, fuel, and construction materials. Uganda, Kenya, China, India, and the UAE are major trading partners. The Mombasa corridor is the primary supply chain artery for South Sudan’s commercial trade.

FAQ

Does South Sudan cargo via Mombasa need a separate Kenya certificate? No. When Mombasa serves as a transit port for South Sudan-bound cargo, the South Sudan ECTN alone covers the full journey — you don’t need a separate Kenya certificate for the Mombasa port call.

Which is the best transit port for South Sudan cargo? The Mombasa-Kampala-Juba corridor is the most established and widely used. Djibouti is an alternative for cargo coming from the Middle East or Asia via the Red Sea route. We can advise on the best routing for your specific origin.

Who is responsible for obtaining the ECTN? The shipper or freight forwarder at the port of loading. This cannot be arranged by the consignee in South Sudan.

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