Burkina Faso

ECTN/BESC

Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN) o Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des Cargaisons (BESC)

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All maritime shipments with final destination a Burkina Faso shall be regularized by an Electronic Cargo Tracking Note. Generally this certificate is also called BESC – Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des Cargaisons.

ECTN/BESC certificate is a necessary document requested by Decree n° 2009/0012/MT/MEF of 15/09/2009. Each B/L must be accompanied by an Electronic Cargo Tracking Note.

Ports

Abidjan

Accra

Lomé

San Pedro

Takoradi

Documents
  • Bill of Lading – B/L dated with ECTN number
  • Commercial Invoice
  • Sea Freight invoice if commercial invoice is FOB or EXW
  • Custom declaration – EXA
Procedure
  • Collect all mandatory documents
  • Submit your request on-line or by e-mail
  • Wait for our invoice and draft ECTN
  • Insert the ECTN n° on B/L description
  • Check/confirm the draft and proceed with payment
  • Wait for the validated ECTN certificate
Attention

ECTN must be regularized and validated maximum after 10 days from the date of ECTN number communication.

To proceed to the final validation it is mandatory to insert the ECTN number on the description of the B/L.

In case of rolling-vehicles shipment it is necessary to provide the vehicle registration document.

Additional information to be communicated
  • Commercial invoice:
    • Incoterm
    • HS Code
    • Country of Origin
    • Currency
    • Breakdown of values in EUR/USD
  • Shipment Tracking:
    • ETD
    • ETA
  • Freight:
    • Prepaid
    • Collect
    • Service
    • Charter Party

FAQ

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Does my ECTN/BESC certificate need to be printed?

No, it is an electronic document.

Is it possible to modify my ECTN/BESC certificate?

Yes, it is possible if it’s still a draft status.

Is it possible to modify my ECTN/BESC certificate already validated?

Yes, if it has already been validated we can proceed with the modification at the cost of 20% of the total invoiced.

Is the BESC/ECTN for Burkina Faso mandatory?

Yes, it is for all shipments with final destination Burkina Faso.

If my shipment is arriving via another POD and destined to Burkina Faso, what should I do?

Please note that if your shipment is in transit throught Togo or Benin it is necessary to emit a double BESC/ECTN certificate (we can assist you with both ECTN/BESC). If it is in transit through the Ivory Coast or Ghana, it is mandatory only one ECTN/BESC for Burkina Faso.

Is it possible to modify my ECTN/BESC certificate?

Yes, it is possible if it’s still a draft status.

Is it possible to modify my ECTN/BESC certificate already validated?

Yes, if it has already been validated we can proceed with the modification at the cost of 20% of the total invoiced.

Is it mandatory to insert the BESC number on the BL?

Yes, it is mandatory to insert the BESC n° on B/L as from 20/04/2023.