Republic of Congo ECTN (ECTN Congo) Certificate

Republic of Congo ECTN Certificate

Republic of Congo or DR Congo? The Republic of Congo (capital Brazzaville, port Pointe-Noire) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (capital Kinshasa, ports Matadi and Boma) are different countries and need different certificates: the Republic of Congo ECTN (URN) for the Republic of Congo and the DR Congo FERI for DR Congo.

Last Updated: 18 December 2025 – Regulations are subject to change.

To ensure a smooth customs clearance process at destination ports, shippers are advised to initiate the Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN/URN) application as soon as the Bill of Lading is obtained.

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.

How can you get the Republic of Congo ECTN certificate?

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

• Bill of Lading (a draft copy opens the application)
• Commercial Invoice
• Freight Invoice (not required if the freight value is stated on the commercial invoice)
• GUOT Document (there are two kinds of GUOT, DI (Douane d’importation) and TI (Transport d’importation). The importer must have both issued in the destination country, but only the GUOT (TI-xxxxx) is needed for the certification process.)
• Customs / Export Declaration

Send PDF copies to sck@scktr.com. Hard copies are not required. Share the final documents, because changes made to a validated certificate carry a penalty fee.

How long does approval of the Republic of Congo ECTN take?

The draft Republic of Congo ECTN is issued the same day your shipping documents reach us. Once the draft is checked and payment settled, the certificate goes for approval. All approvals are handled by the head office in Pointe-Noire. Approval normally comes within a few days, but it is worth allowing a little longer so nothing is delayed.

Are there any additional requirements for issuing the certificate?

As set out above, the following must be met before validation can be completed. The GUOT document (with the TI-xxxxx code) must be presented during the issuing process. The importer must also have the GUOT document with the DI code issued, although it does not have to be submitted for the ECTN. The validation window is set at 5 days from the vessel’s departure. Applications past that window can still be approved, but against a penalty fee. Because the system applies this automatically, it cannot be cancelled. Without these requirements the certificate cannot be approved.

What is 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. A supporting document called the T.I. is therefore needed to apply for the ECTN. The URN number is the reference number of the Republic of Congo’s ECTN certificate and is printed on the validated certificate.

Can I apply for the Republic of Congo ECTN if the container is already on board?

Yes, you may apply for a Republic of Congo ECTN certificate after departure. Note that if the certificate is not validated within 5 days of the on-board date, the authorities assess a penalty on top of the certificate fees; the fine is 50% of the original certificate price.

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?

On the Congo ECTN certificate the URN number is listed as “Visum Reference No”. The URN typically starts with an exporting country code and is a combination of digits and letters. It sits in the top right corner of the Congo ECTN certificate.

What are the 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. The applicant must submit only the T.I. to receive an ECTN certificate. The goods value and the freight value must match on the GUOT paperwork and on the invoice.

Can I use the same ECTN number for various shipments?

No. The ECTN is unique and limited to a single shipment. Every cargo needs its own verified ECTN number.

Bill of Lading

The Bill of Lading (BL) serves as the primary cargo receipt for all maritime shipments bound for Pointe Noire.

• The URN number generated during the ECTN validation must eventually be included on the manifest.

Commercial Invoice

All items shipped must be backed by a clear commercial transaction document showing value breakdowns.

• HS codes must be listed for all cargo categories.

GUOT Document

The GUOT (Guichet Unique des Opérations Transfrontalières) reference is required for all import declarations in the Republic of Congo.

• The importer must supply the GUOT number to the shipper before the ECTN can be finalized.

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

Official Republic of Congo ECTN sources

• Conseil Congolais des Chargeurs (CCC): BESC IMPORT subscription (destination Congo)
• CMA CGM: BESC in Congo and the NVU on the Bill of Lading

Sources checked on 15 October 2026.