Sierra Leone CTN Certificate — The Complete Guide
How the Sierra Leone CTN certificate works: issuing authority, required documents, application process, timeline and the rules that apply.
This guide covers the CTN certificate for shipments to Sierra Leone — who issues it, which documents it needs, how the application runs and what the validation rules are. For the country procedure page, see Sierra Leone CTN.
Overview
The CTN — Cargo Tracking Note (CTN / CTN) — is the cargo tracking certificate required for shipments to Sierra Leone. Requirement status: Mandatory.
A shipment with a final destination of Mali in transit through Senegal only needs to get a BSC certificate for Mali.
Sample BSC certificate
A Sierra Leone CTN 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
- Freetown
Required documents
- Bill of Lading
- Freight Invoice
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 CTN 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 CTN 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: about a week
- Validity: One validated CTN 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. Since 2015, all freights must obtain a CTN number and complete an ACD declaration. The CTN certificate must be validated at least five days before the vessel’s arrival.
Non-compliance. Shipments arriving without a CTN, or with a CTN bearing incorrect information, incur a penalty of double the certificate’s cost, plus an extra fee determined by Sierra Leone’s national port authorities.
Frequently asked questions
What is CTN?
CTN – Cargo Tracking Note – is the name of Sierra Leone’s cargo tracking certificate.
Do I need a BSC if my shipment is in transit through Senegal to Mali?
A shipment with a final destination of Mali in transit through Senegal only needs to get a BSC certificate for Mali.
Can I use the same BSC number for various shipments?
No, the CTN is unique and limited to a single shipment. Every cargo needs its own verified CTN number.
How do I apply for a BSC for Senegal if I have an LCL shipment?
You can apply with a Master Bill of Lading if shipping LCL to Senegal. A House Bill of Lading cannot be used to apply for a Senegal certificate.
Ready to file? Apply for a CTN certificate or go back to the Sierra Leone CTN procedure page. All country guides: Country guides.