Burundi ECTN Certificate Requirement

Mandatory ECTN Certificate for Burundi Shipments

Burundi Customs authorities require a valid ECTN certificate for cargo entering the country.
The certificate must be issued through an authorized representative and is essential for compliance and customs clearance.

Obtaining the ECTN is the shipper’s responsibility, and penalties apply in cases of non-compliance.

How long does receiving a validated copy of the ECTN certificate take?

The validation process usually takes around one week, as the regulations applied by the authorities in Burundi are strict.

All submitted documents must be coherent and consistent in order for the final certificate to be validated.

After pre-validation, the ECTN reference number is created.
Any change to information or documentation after pre-validation results in a penalty fee.

What happens if the certificate is not validated within five days?

After receiving the ECTN reference, you have five days to submit the original Bill of Lading, including:

• Place and date of issue

• Shipped-on-board date

• Signature and stamp

If these requirements are not fulfilled within five days, the system will automatically cancel the certificate, and a penalty fee will apply to recover it.

Required Documents to Obtain a Burundi ECTN Certificate

The following documents are required:

• Bill of Lading

• Commercial Invoice

• Freight Invoice

• Customs Declaration

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

Final documents must be submitted without pending amendments.
Changes made after validation result in penalty charges.

Can an export declaration be used for multiple shipments?

The same export declaration can only be used if all applications and submissions are completed simultaneously.

Otherwise, there is no possibility of receiving a validated copy using the same declaration.

Can the process be completed if there is a mismatch in shipment documents?

No.
All document details must be identical to obtain a validated ECTN certificate.

If discrepancies are found, the certificate will be rejected after pre-validation, and documents must be revised.
No refund is issued until coherent documents are provided.

Can validation be obtained if the final destination on the export declaration is changed to Burundi?

If the shipment’s destination is changed after vessel departure, confirmation from the authorities is required.

Such cases are generally treated as special cases, and approval may be granted, provided that all other shipment details—such as package quantity and weight—remain unchanged.

What is ECTN?

ECTN stands for Electronic Cargo Tracking Note.

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

ECTN certificates are recognized maritime documents used to monitor, control, and manage cargo movements and are required for customs clearance at the port of entry.

Can the same ECTN number be used for various shipments?

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

Every shipment must have its own individually verified ECTN number.

Responsibility

Responsibility for obtaining the ECTN / BESC certificate lies with the shipper.

Shipments transported without a valid certificate are subject to penalties, and the shipper is responsible for any resulting losses.