East Africa · Federal Republic of Somalia Ministry of Ports and Marine Transport document Somalia CTN Certificate
We obtain and validate Somalia CTN certificates from our Istanbul office. Email sck@scktr.com to start your application.
Validate before the vessel sails
Effective February 1, 2023, Somalia mandates a CTN for all incoming shipments. Since April 29, 2023, all transactions involving Somalia must include an ECTN Reference Number on the Bill of Lading.
No CTN = fines & demurrage
The absence of the CTN paperwork can lead to severe penalties and significant fees, and applies to every type of cargo imported for commercial, business, diplomatic, or personal use.
Required Documents — Somalia CTN
Somalia CTN — short explainer
Somalia CTN: full requirements
Last Updated: 18 December 2025 – Regulations are subject to change.
The CTN (Cargo Tracking Note), also referred to as ECTN, is a crucial electronic cargo tracking system enforced for all shipments heading to over 24 African countries. This system is designed to bolster security and streamline trade, enabling authorities to monitor cargo from its origin to its final destination. Notably, starting February 1, 2023, Somalia will join the list of countries requiring a CTN for incoming shipments.
Choosing them for Somalia CTN Certificates is a no-brainer. They’re the best at what they do. Thank you for your continued service.
Somalia is a country located in the Horn of Africa, bordered by Ethiopia to the west, Djibouti to the northwest, and Kenya to the southwest. It has a population of around 15 million people. The official language is Somali and the capital and largest city is Mogadishu. The country has a diverse population with a mix of ethnic groups including Somali, Bantu, and Arab.
Effective February 1, 2023, Somalia mandates a CTN (Cargo Tracking Note) for all incoming shipments, a crucial document for loading. Known alternatively as an ECTN, BSC, or BESC, the absence of this paperwork can lead to severe penalties and significant fees. This regulation applies to every type of cargo imported for commercial, business, diplomatic, or personal use, ensuring all shipments are accompanied by a CTN to facilitate monitoring and compliance.
Starting April 29th, 2023, the Somalia government requires that all transactions involving Somalia include an ECTN Reference Number on the bill of lading. This measure ensures enhanced tracking and compliance for goods entering the country.

The CTN waiver certificate must be obtained from the authorized representative by the shipper or freight forwarder.
Which documents are required for Somalia CTN?
The following documents are required to issue a CTN certificate:
- Bill of lading
- Commercial invoice
- Freight invoice
- Application form (We can fill this form on your behalf)
All documents should be legibly scanned and sent via e-mail.
Regulations are subject to change, we recommend confirming the latest country-specific requirements with our team via email.
Federal Republic of Somalia Ministry of Ports and Marine Transport Official Notice.

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.
What a validated Somalia CTN 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.
Somalia CTN: the complete guide
Issuing authority, required documents, application process, timeline and the rules that apply — in one page.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Somalia CTN become mandatory?
Does the CTN reference need to be on the Bill of Lading?
Which documents are required for the Somalia CTN?
Which shipments does the CTN requirement apply to?
Also shipping to other African ports?
Each destination has its own cargo tracking note. We handle them all under one roof.
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