Burkina Faso – ECTN / URN ECTN Certificate

Burkina Faso ECTN / URN Certificate Requirement

Last Updated: 29 December 2025 – Regulations are subject to change. The ECTN (Electronic Cargo Tracking Note) is a mandatory cargo tracking document required for all shipments destined to Burkina Faso, including shipments transiting through other countries.

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Mandatory ECTN Certificate for Burkina Faso Shipments

The Burkina Faso ECTN certificate is a legal prerequisite for cargo entry and must be issued and validated before shipment.

As of April 20th, 2023, it is mandatory to write the ECTN Reference Number on the Bill of Lading for all Burkina Faso-bound shipments.

How long does it take to get approval?

Once all required documents are provided, a draft ECTN certificate is shared for confirmation.

After confirmation and payment, the certificate is submitted for approval. This process generally takes a few days, but up to one week should be expected for planning purposes.

Required Documents to Obtain a Burkina Faso ECTN Certificate

The following documents are mandatory:

• Bill of Lading (ECTN Reference Number must be written on it)

• Commercial Invoice

• Freight Invoice (not required if the freight value is stated on the commercial invoice)

• Pink Slip / Grey Slip (for RoRo shipments)

PDF copies of the documents should be shared by email. Hard copies are not required for ECTN issuance.

Amendments made after validation may result in penalty charges.

What is the URN Number?

URN stands for Unique Reference Number.

It is written at the top of a validated ECTN certificate and must be indicated on the description section of the Bill of Lading.

What is CTN?

CTN stands for Cargo Tracking Note.

It is also referred to as Bordereau de Suivi de Cargaison (BSC) or a Loading Certificate, depending on the country.

CTN certificates are recognized maritime documents that detail cargo information and transportation between ports. Each CTN must be submitted and verified at the loading port and is essential for customs clearance at the port of entry.

Shipments not covered by a valid CTN may be prohibited from clearance and subject to additional fees.

Transit Shipments to Burkina Faso

If the shipment is in transit to Burkina Faso via another country, is an additional certificate required?

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country. Depending on the discharge port, additional certificates may be required.

• If the discharge port is Lomé (Togo) or Cotonou (Benin) → Two certificates are required

• If the shipment is in transit via Ghana or Ivory Coast → No additional certificate is required

Summary: Two certificates are required if the discharge port is Lomé or Cotonou.

If the shipment travels from Ivory Coast to Burkina Faso, do two ECTN certificates apply?

No. Only a Burkina Faso ECTN certificate is required for shipments traveling through Ivory Coast.

If the shipment is in transit through Ghana to Burkina Faso, is an ECTN required for Ghana?

No. Due to the suspension of the Ghana ECTN, shipments transiting through Ghana only require a Burkina Faso ECTN certificate.

Can the Same ECTN Number Be Used for Multiple Shipments?

No. Each ECTN number is unique and applies to one shipment only.

Every shipment must have its own individually verified ECTN number.

Regulations are subject to change, we recommend confirming the latest country-specific requirements with our team via email.