East Africa · Djibouti Ports and Free Zone Authority document

Djibouti ECTN Certificate

Get your Djibouti ECTN certificate through SCK Representation and avoid penalty fees. Email sck@scktr.com for the required documents.

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ECTN At a glance
CertificateECTN
DestinationDjibouti
StatusMandatory
Processinga few days
ValidityOne validated ECTN per Bill of Lading
AuthorityDjibouti Ports and Free Zone Authority
2001
Issuing tracking notes since
25+
African destinations served
Hours
Typical draft turnaround
1:1
Dedicated file specialist
The deadline that matters

Validate before the vessel sails

Effective June 15th, 2023, an ECTN is mandatory for all cargo to Djibouti ports and the Free Zone. It must be obtained at the port of loading by shippers, exporters, or freight forwarders and reflected on the bill of lading.

Cost of non-compliance

No ECTN = fines & demurrage

Shipments lacking an ECTN will face penalties at the destination port; if the ECTN is not approved beforehand, a fine may be imposed, and the shipper is responsible for the loss.

Regulatory mandate

Required Documents — Djibouti ECTN

Bill of Lading
Commercial Invoice
Freight Invoice
Country Guide

Djibouti ECTN: full requirements

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

Djibouti Shipping? Get Your ECTN (BESC) Certificate with SCK Representation: Simplify your shipping process by submitting the necessary documents or using our online form. We guarantee smooth customs clearance and protection against penalties. While approvals typically occur within days, allocating a week is advisable for thorough planning. Avoid delays and extra charges by securing your Djibouti ECTN through SCK Representation now.

Thank you to SCK Rep. for impressive speed and communication. Our ECTN Certificate was processed in no time.

Attention to detail in CTN processing is second to none. Will recommend.

Djibouti is a country situated in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Eritrea to the north, Ethiopia to the west and southwest, and Somalia to the southeast. The Gulf of Aden lies to the east, providing access to the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. The capital and largest city is Djibouti City. The official languages of Djibouti are Arabic and French. With a population of approximately 1 million people, Djibouti is a diverse nation with various ethnic groups, including the Afar and Issa Somali communities.

Djibouti ECTN Certificate

ECTN Mandate for Djibouti Ports Announced: Effective June 15th, 2023, the Djibouti Ports and Free Zone Authority mandates an ECTN (Electronic Cargo Tracking Note) for all cargo to Djibouti ports and the Free Zone. This certificate, required to be obtained at the port of loading by shippers, exporters, or freight forwarders, must be reflected on the bill of lading.

Shipments lacking an ECTN will face penalties at the destination port. “SCK Representation” is ready to assist with your Djibouti ECTN needs, offering extensive experience and a proactive approach to ensure compliance and streamline your shipping process.

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

Djibouti SCK

How can you get an ECTN Certificate for Djibouti?

You need to submit the following documents in the application for the ECTN certificate:

  • Bill of Lading
  • Commercial Invoice
  • Freight Invoice

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. 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.

Is there a penalty if I don’t obtain the Djibouti ECTN before my shipment arrives?

Yes, there is a penalty if you do not obtain the Djibouti ECTN before your shipment arrives. If the ECTN is not approved beforehand, a fine may be imposed. It’s important to ensure the ECTN is processed and approved before shipping to avoid any delays or penalties.

SCK Meeting Photo

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.

Verified Compliance Review

This content is reviewed to ensure accuracy and consistency with ECTN (CTN, BESC, BSC, BIETC, FERI, ACID, ACD) procedures, based on current operational practices and applicable regulatory frameworks at the time of the last update.

Sample certificate

What a validated Djibouti ECTN looks like

A certificate we filed, with the customer fields masked. Use it to check the layout, where the authority stamp sits and where the reference number is printed.

Masked sample of a validated Djibouti ECTN certificate
Full guide

Djibouti ECTN: the complete guide

Issuing authority, required documents, application process, timeline and the rules that apply — in one page.

Read the Djibouti ECTN guide

Questions, answered

Frequently Asked Questions

How can you get an ECTN Certificate for Djibouti?
Submit PDF copies of the Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice, and Freight Invoice via sck@scktr.com. No hard copies are needed for issuance.
Is there a penalty if I don't obtain the Djibouti ECTN before my shipment arrives?
Yes. If the ECTN is not approved beforehand, a fine may be imposed, so it is important to ensure it is processed and approved before shipping to avoid delays or penalties.
How long does it take to get approval?
A draft is issued in a day if all documents are complete, and approval for verification is usually received in a day, though the process may take about a week.
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.

Also shipping to other African ports?

Each destination has its own cargo tracking note. We handle them all under one roof.

Trusted by exporters and freight forwarders shipping from Türkiye to Africa

A few of the brands that rely on us for the ECTN, BESC and CTN documents their cargo needs.

DHL DHL
Maersk Maersk
CMA CGM CMA CGM
APL APL
CEVA Logistics CEVA Logistics
Bolloré Logistics Bolloré Logistics
Aramex Aramex
SGS SGS
Nestlé Nestlé
Danone Danone
TotalEnergies TotalEnergies
Heidelberg Materials Heidelberg Materials
Arkas Lojistik Arkas Lojistik
Horoz Lojistik Horoz Lojistik
Mutlu Makarna Mutlu Makarna
Nuh'un Ankara Makarnası Nuh'un Ankara Makarnası
Oba Makarna Oba Makarna
Pakmaya Pakmaya
Remant Logistics Remant Logistics
OCETRA OCETRA
Africa Global Logistics Africa Global Logistics
Naxco Naxco
CCIS CCIS
Gulf First Shipping & Logistics Gulf First Shipping & Logistics
Globelink West Star Shipping Globelink West Star Shipping

Ready to get your Djibouti ECTN?

Send your documents. We check your file and issue the validated certificate your cargo needs to clear customs at the destination port.