Guinea ECTN Certificate — The Complete Guide
How the Guinea ECTN certificate works: issuing authority, required documents, application process, timeline and the rules that apply.
This guide covers the ECTN certificate for shipments to Guinea — who issues it, which documents it needs, how the application runs and what the validation rules are. For the country procedure page, see Guinea ECTN.
Overview
The ECTN — Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN / ICTN – International Cargo Tracking Code / BSC) — is the cargo tracking certificate required for shipments to Guinea. Requirement status: Mandatory.
Sample ECTN certificate
A Guinea ECTN 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.
Discharge ports
- Conakry
Required documents
- Bill of Lading
- Commercial Invoice
- Customs Declaration
Application process
1. Send your documents
Share PDF copies of the required documents via sck@scktr.com, or upload them through the application form. There is no need to send hard copies for the issuance of ECTN certificates.
2. Draft is prepared
Once complete, consistent documents arrive, a draft is prepared for your confirmation. A file specialist checks the shipment details against the documents before anything is filed.
3. Confirm the draft
Check every field on the draft — consignee, ports, weights, values and container references. Final documents must be submitted without further amendments; corrections after validation are charged separately.
4. Filing and validation
The confirmed file is submitted to the issuing authority for validation. The ECTN number is issued at validation, so it cannot be shown on documents prepared before that point.
5. Certificate delivered
The validated certificate is sent to you and can accompany the cargo to the destination port.
Timeline
- Processing time: a few days
- Validity: One validated ECTN per Bill of Lading
The exact cut-off depends on the destination and the vessel schedule; confirm the deadline for your shipment with our team before filing.
Special rules
Validation deadline. The Guinea Conakry ECTN (ICTN) is mandatory for all imports and must be validated no less than five days before the vessel’s arrival to avoid significant penalties and fees.
Non-compliance. Non-compliance or absence of the loading certificate incurs penalties at the destination port; validation is required at least five days before the vessel’s arrival to avoid significant penalties and fees.
Frequently asked questions
How can you get a Guinea ECTN (ICTN) Certificate?
Submit PDF copies of the Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice, Freight Invoice, and Customs Declaration via sck@scktr.com. Application can be made with a draft Bill of Lading, but the original is needed for validation.
Are there additional requirements for issuing the certificate?
Yes. Shipper details (phone and email), and consignee and notify party details including phone, email, and NIF (Número de identificación fiscal) must be provided to validate the certificate.
How long does it take to get approval?
A draft is issued in a day if all documents are complete; as all approvals are handled in the main office in Conakry, 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.
Ready to file? Apply for a ECTN certificate or go back to the Guinea ECTN procedure page. All country guides: Country guides.