Stay informed about the latest changes in cargo tracking certificate requirements, port regulations, and trade compliance updates across Africa and MENA.
The Spanish export declaration carried the full set of HS codes for the steel profiles. The commercial invoice carried an incomplete, incoherent version of the same list. For South Sudan that is not a clerical difference — it is a rejection. This case study shows how the audit caught it before filing.
Two reefers of chemicals left Houston with generic product names on the Bill of Lading and no UN Number or IMO Hazard Class anywhere. Gabon will not validate a BIETC on that file. This case study shows how the pre-filing audit caught it before the vessel reached Port-Gentil.
The Packing List said 260 CBM, the Bill of Lading said 240. Either figure alone would have passed; together they are a rejection. This case study shows how a cross-document audit caught the gap before filing and kept eight containers moving to Tamatave.
A 10 kg gap between the commercial invoice and the export customs declaration was enough to stall a FERI filing. This case study shows how catching it before submission secured the certificate for bulk food cargo moving from Qingdao to Matadi.
A CIF invoice showed one lump sum, then a combined "Freight & Insurance" line. Neither passes. This case study shows how three rounds of invoice revisions produced the itemised FOB, freight and insurance breakdown a Liberia BESC requires.
An INR commercial invoice, a EUR customs declaration and a USD freight invoice — and the converted totals did not match. This case study shows how catching that valuation gap before filing secured a South Sudan ECTN for Antwerp–Juba transit cargo.
Under CFR terms, a commercial invoice must show the freight cost or the Guinea BESC application is rejected on sight. This case study shows how catching a missing freight breakdown during pre-screening kept a Port of Conakry shipment on schedule.
Kenya's Advance Cargo Declaration goes live for containerized cargo on 3 August 2026. If you move boxes to Mombasa — or in transit to the landlocked neighbours — here's exactly what to file, when, and how to keep the ACD reference on the Bill of Lading before the vessel loads.
A practical, data-backed checklist for freight forwarders and exporters. Drawn from 66,000+ real ECTN/ACD filings, these six document errors cause almost every rejection — and each one is avoidable before you submit.
How our maritime compliance team resolved an urgent, high-complexity shipment of seven 20-foot containers with eleven distinct shippers, auditing critical weight discrepancies to secure eleven mandatory Burundi BESC certificates and prevent costly port demurrage.
The core documents are the same across most African countries — but several have specific additional requirements that catch shippers off guard. This is the complete reference.
The process for getting an ECTN, BESC, or CTN certificate is essentially the same regardless of the destination country. Here's exactly what to do, in the right order, so your shipment doesn't get delayed.
These are the situations we see come through most often — shippers who knew they needed a certificate but still ended up with cargo stuck at the destination. Here's what goes wrong, and how to avoid it.
Sudan ACD applications now require five documents, with the Packing List added as the latest mandatory item. ACD certification becomes compulsory for all Sudan-bound shipments from 1 January 2026.
Sudan's Sea Ports Corporation has confirmed that ACD certification will be compulsory for all cargo destined for Sudan from 1 January 2026. The ACD number must appear on the Bill of Lading.
The Sudan Customs Authority has added the Certificate of Origin to the list of mandatory documents for all ACD applications. All four documents must be submitted together.
The Egyptian Customs Authority has confirmed that the Advance Cargo Information (ACI) system will be mandatory for all air shipments to Egypt from 1 January 2026.
Sudan's Advanced Cargo Declaration is mandatory from 1 January 2026 for all cargo bound for Sudan. This guide covers what the ACD is, why it's needed, what documents are required, and how the process works.
Effective immediately, earth-moving machinery, large trucks on flat tracks, and oversized cargo that doesn't fit in a standard container will be charged under RORO rates for Liberia BESC purposes.
Mali's Customs Authority has reissued a reminder that the BESC must be obtained at the port of loading for all cargo destined for Mali. Cargo without valid documentation faces penalties and delays.
The Ministry of Ports and Marine Transport of Somalia has confirmed that all containers arriving at Somali ports must be accompanied by a valid ECTN from 14 October 2025.
Djibouti authorities have confirmed that penalties are now being actively enforced for cargo arriving without a valid ECTN certificate. Here's what you need to know to avoid fines.
The Cameroon BESC certificate must be validated at least 48 hours before the vessel arrives at the destination port. Miss that deadline and you're looking at fines, delays, or cargo being held.
Angola has extended import licensing requirements to specific vehicle components under Presidential Decree No. 155/20. ANTT prior authorisation is now required for engines, gearboxes, chassis, and other listed parts.
The Cameroon National Shippers' Council has introduced new ECTN requirements for RO-RO shipments, effective 1 May 2025. Vehicle importers now need to provide FIMEX registration or a Special Import Authorisation.
As of 1 February 2025, all containerised shipments to Yemen must carry a valid ACD certificate. The requirement is enforced by Yemen's Counter Terrorism Service.
Libya's planned Advanced Cargo Information requirement has been postponed indefinitely. Shipments can continue without an ACI number until further notice.
Yemen's Ministry of Transport has announced that the Advanced Cargo Declaration (ACD) will be mandatory for all shipments to Yemeni ports from 1 January 2025.
The Gambia ECTN Certificate, which had only just come into effect in May 2023, has been suspended indefinitely. Here's what this means for shippers.
Djibouti Ports and Free Zone Authority has made the Electronic Cargo Tracking Note mandatory for all shipments. The requirement has been in force since 15 June 2023.
Somalia has made the ECTN reference number mandatory on all Bills of Lading for shipments destined for the country, effective 29 April 2023.
Burkina Faso now requires an ECTN Reference Number on all Bills of Lading for cargo destined for the country. The regulation took effect on 20 April 2023.
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