North Africa · Libyan Customs Authority / Libyan Ministry of Finance document Libya ECTN Certificate
The Libya ECTN procedure is currently suspended. Email sck@scktr.com and we will confirm the position for your shipment before you file.
Validate before the vessel sails
The Libya ECTN procedure is suspended. No ECTN certificates are being issued for Libya until further notice.
No ECTN = fines & demurrage
While the procedure was in force, goods without an ECTN were not loaded onto the vessel and shipments without an ECTN document were barred from entering Libyan ports. A penalty fee applied to modifications made after validation.
Required Documents — Libya ECTN
Libya ECTN: full requirements
Last Updated: 18 December 2025 – Regulations are subject to change.
Status: the Libya ECTN procedure is suspended
The Libya ECTN procedure is suspended. No ECTN certificates are being issued for Libya until further notice.
The Libyan Customs Authority, on behalf of the Libyan Ministry of Finance, had released the order (Decree N° 9310/4122) informing all importers, exporters, shipowners, carriers, shipping agents, customs agents and everyone trading in Libyan territory that the ECTN certificate was mandatory for imports reaching Libyan ports. That requirement has been put on hold until further notice.
For the current status of your Libya shipment, contact our team via sck@scktr.com.
Libya is a country located in North Africa. It is bordered by Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west. It also has a coastline along the Mediterranean Sea to the north. The capital and largest city is Tripoli, and the official language is Arabic. The population is around 6.8 million. Libya has a rich cultural heritage, including ancient history and monuments such as Leptis Magna and Cyrene.
Regulations are subject to change, we recommend confirming the latest country-specific requirements with our team via email.
The sections below describe the requirements that applied while the procedure was in force. They are not currently in effect and may change if the procedure resumes.
“SCK Representation” is the only authorized agent to provide loading certificates for Libya. While the procedure was in force, goods without an ECTN were not loaded onto the vessel, shipments without an ECTN document were barred from entering Libyan ports, and the ECTN reference had to be indicated on the bill of lading.
How was the Libya ECTN certificate obtained?
The following documents were required for the Libya ECTN certificate:
- Bill of Lading (Application could be made with a draft copy)
- Commercial Invoice
- Freight Invoice (not required if the freight value is indicated on the Commercial Invoice)
- Customs Declaration
- Certificate of Origin (Certified by the Chamber of Commerce by the exporter)
- Statistical ID Document (of the Libyan company/importer)
- For bulk shipments, a weight certificate for merchandise priced based on weight (VGM)
- For RO/RO shipments, automotive data covering the date of manufacture, chassis number and weight
PDF copies of the documents were sufficient; hard copies were not needed. Documents had to be final, as a penalty fee applied to modifications made after validating the certificate.
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.
Libya ECTN: the complete guide
Issuing authority, required documents, application process, timeline and the rules that apply — in one page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Libya ECTN currently required?
What documents were required for the Libya ECTN?
How long did approval take?
Why has Libya appointed SCK Representation to manage the ECTN platform?
Are there any additional requirements for the issuance of an ECTN certificate?
As indicated earlier, exporters must present the documents below with the details indicated as a full set to complete the validation process.
- Certificate of Origin must be certified by the Chamber of Commerce of exporting country.
- Statistical ID Document (of the Importer) must be presented. The document has to be issued with a valid date, or an extension letter from Libyan customs has to be obtained.
- VGM Certificate (for bulk shipments), which provides information on merchandise price based on weight, has to be presented for bulk shipments.
- Automotive Data (for RO/RO shipments), including the date of manufacture, chassis number, and vehicle weight, has to be declared for RO/RO shipments.
All these requirements mentioned above must be fulfilled to validate the certificate.
For more information and document samples, please contact our team via sck@scktr.com.
The Libyan Ministry of Finance and the Customs Department have appointed SCK Representation to manage its Electronic Cargo Tracking Notes (ECTN) platform.
This will allow Libya’s ministry of finance to:
- Access detailed coverage and live data on the nature of the goods entering Libya’s ports,
- Access to data declared at the origin to certify cargo/freight values reported during the import procedure;
- Have a steady and reliable income from outside of the country
- Predict cargo flux for harbour operation optimization;
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 
Maersk 
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APL 
CEVA Logistics 
Bolloré Logistics 
Aramex 
SGS 
Nestlé 
Danone 
TotalEnergies 
Heidelberg Materials 
Arkas Lojistik 
Horoz Lojistik 
Mutlu Makarna 
Nuh'un Ankara Makarnası 
Oba Makarna 
Pakmaya 
Remant Logistics 
OCETRA 
Africa Global Logistics 
Naxco 
CCIS 
Gulf First Shipping & Logistics 
Globelink West Star Shipping