Republic of Congo ECTN Certificate / URN Number

The Republic of Congo, also known as Congo-Brazzaville, is a country located in Central Africa. It is bordered by Gabon to the west, Cameroon to the northwest, the Central African Republic to the northeast, the Democratic Republic of Congo to the southeast, and Angola to the south. The capital and largest city is Brazzaville. The official language is French and the population is around 5 million. The Republic of Congo has a diverse culture with influences from the indigenous tribes, European colonizers, and the African diaspora.

SCK Representation, an official CCC agent, is authorized to issue the Republic of the Congo ECTN certificate. Ensure certificate validation within 5 days post-vessel departure to avoid penalties. The URN reference from the validated document must appear on the bill of lading before unloading in Congo.

How can you get a Republic of Congo ECTN certificate?

The following documents are required for the Republic of Congo ECTN certificate:

• Bill of Lading (Applications can be made with draft copy)
• Commercial Invoice
• Freight Invoice (it is not necessary if the freight value is indicated on Commercial Invoice)
• GUOT Document (There are two types of GUOT documents, DI (Douane d’importation) and TI (Transport d’importation). The importer in Rep. Congo has to issue both documents. For ECTN applications, the GUOT document (with TI-xxxxx code) has to be presented.)
• Customs/Export 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 BSC certificates. Please be sure to share the final documents, which will not have any more amendments later in the process. A penalty fee will occur for the modifications after validating the certificates.

How long does it take to get approval?

A draft copy of the certificate will be issued in a day if all mandatory documents are provided and coherent. The certificate will be submitted for validation once we receive your confirmation on the draft and the payment. The approval for verification is usually received in a day. However, as all the permissions are handled in the main office in Pointe-Noire, the process may take a bit longer.

Are there any additional requirements for the issuance of a BSC certificate?

As indicated earlier, the documents must be issued with the above details and presented to complete the validation process.

• The GUOT document with TI-xxxxx code needs to be presented for the application of the ECTN certificate. The importer should also issue a GUOT document with the DI code. However, there is no need or function for the ECTN process.

This requirement, mentioned above, must be fulfilled to validate the certificate.

For more information and document samples, please contact our team via sck@scktr.com.

What’s the difference between a T.I. and a URN number?

T.I. is a component of the GUOT document, which serves as an import declaration in the Republic of Congo. Therefore, to apply for ECTN, a supporting document called the T.I. is necessary.

The URN number is a reference number for the Republic of Congo’s ECTN certificate. It is printed on the ECTN certificate that has been verified.

Can I apply for the Republic of Congo ECTN if the container has been put on board?

You may apply for an ECTN certificate for the Republic of Congo after you leave. Please note that if the certificate is not validated within 5 days after the onboard date, authorities will assess a penalty in addition to the certificate fees. 50% of the price of the original certificate is the fine.

Are the procedures different between the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo?

Yes, they are two different countries, and their systems are different.

Where can I find the URN number on the Congo ECTN?

The URN number on the ECTN Congo certificate is listed as the “Visum Reference No.” The URN typically starts with an exporter country code and is made up of a combination of digits and letters. This number is located in the top-right corner of Congo ECTN.

What are DI and T.I. documents in GUOT? Which one is needed for the ECTN?

GUOT has two documents: TI (Transport d’importation) and Douane d’importation (DI). The importer in the Republic of Congo is required to issue both certifications. The applicant must submit just T.I. (Transport d’importation) to receive an ECTN certificate. On the GUOT paperwork and the invoice, the goods value and freight value must match.

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.