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Burundi is a small country located in East Africa. It is bordered by Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. The capital and largest city is Gitega. The official language is Kirundi and the population is around 11 million. Burundi has a diverse culture with influences from the Bantu and Nilo-Saharan ethnic groups.
Burundi’s ECTN Requirement Explained: Burundi Customs Officials have mandated the ECTN (also known as BSC) for all exports to the country. This rule applies to business, diplomatic, or personal cargo acquired internationally. Shippers or freight forwarders must secure a Loading Certificate through an authorized representative. The ECTN waiver certificate is crucial for compliance and smooth customs clearance.
We remain at your disposal for Burundi ECTN certificates. As Burundi, which is also referred to as the heart of Africa, is a landlocked country, it uses the ports of its eastern neighbours:
- Ports of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Mombasa, Kenya
- Dar es Salaam is preferred for road transport to Bujumbura
- Mombasa is chosen for railway/highway transports via Kampala
As Tanzania and Kenya do not have ECTN requirements, you only need a single ECTN. However, for exceptional cases of carrying goods via Western Africa, we recommend you refer to the Democratic Republic of Congo FERI procedure.
How can you get the ECTN Certificate?
The following documents are required for the Burundi ECTN certificate:
- Bill of Lading
- Commercial Invoice
- Freight Invoice
- Customs Declaration
To start the certification process, you should share PDF copies of the documents through sck@scktr.com. There is no need to send hard copies for the issuance of ECTN certificates. However, please be sure to share the final documents, which will not have any more amendments later on in the process. A penalty fee will occur for the modifications after validating the certificates.
How long does receiving a validated copy of the ECTN certificate take?
The process usually takes around a week as the regulation applied by the authorities in Burundi is so strict. In addition, the documents that are supplied must be coherent to have the final certificate validated.
ECTN number will be created after “Pre-validation”. Any change in information and documentation after “Pre-validation” will result in a penalty fee.
What happens if the certificate cannot be validated within five days of receiving the ECTN reference?
You have 5 days after receiving the ECTN reference to forward the original B.L. with place and date of issue, shipped on board date mentioned, signed and stamped.
Otherwise, the system will automatically cancel the certificate, and there will be a penalty fee to recover the certificate.
Can an export declaration be used for multiple shipments?
You can present the same declaration only if all the applications and submissions are completed simultaneously. Otherwise, there is no probability of receiving the validated copy.
Can the process be completed if there is a mismatch in shipment documents?
All the documents’ details must be the same to get a validated copy of the certificate. Otherwise, the certificate will be rejected after pre-validation, and you will be asked to revise documents to receive the certificate. There will be no refund until you supply coherent documents.
Can I have the validation if the final destination mentioned on the export declaration is changed from another destination to Burundi?
Authorities’ confirmation is required if the shipment’s destination is changed after the vessel’s departure. Their approach to the issue is generally positive as this is a special case. The document’s other details, including package amount, weight, etc., should remain the same as the previous one.
What is ECTN?
ECTN is another form of a waiver document, and it stands for Electronic Cargo Tracking Note, also known as Bordereau de Suivi Cargaison (BSC) or Loading Certificate.
Can I use the same ECTN number for various shipments?
No, ECTN is unique and limited to a single shipment. Every cargo needs its own ECTN number that has been verified.
Responsibility
The responsibility to get the ECTN/BESC certificate is on the shipper’s side. Transports without a certificate are penalized, and the shipper will be responsible for the loss.