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Burkina Faso Waiver ECTN Certificate Services
Waiver Requirements for Burkina Faso / ECTN
An ECTN (Electronic Cargo Tracking Note) certificate is required for all shipments going to Burkina Faso.
An ECTN is required for all transit cargo with ports of discharge (POD) in Burkina Faso, this includes: Abidjan, Lome, Cotonou and Tema and must be produced for cargo to clear customs.
Shipping Ports in BURKINA FASO
- Bobo Dialasso
- Ouagadougou
To know more about Shipping through the above ports into Benin – contact us directly
Pre-Shipment Inspection for Benin
Not Required
Information and documents required for creating an ECTN Certificate
- Bill of Lading (Final B/L is needed for validation)
- Commercial invoice / currency must be mentioned in USD or EURO
- Freight invoice in the same currency (not needed in case the freight charges are mentioned on the commercial invoice)
- Phone number and email address of consignee
- ETS & ETA
- Transshipment information from transshipment port
- HS code
Additional Information
- ECTN / Bordereau de Suiv de Cargaison (BSC) reference number must be indicated clearly on the bill of lading and on the cargo manifest.
- If this reference number is missing cargo will be liable to a penalty fine at its destination.
- Failing to input correct details may lead to the decline of the application e.g. type of cargo / cargo value.
- Documents must be supplied by the shipping prior to the vessel’s arrival at the port of discharge (POD).
- Documents must be sent to Burkina Shippers Council / agent at latest, 5 working days after the departure of the vessel.
Shipping Goods Exempted from Burkina Faso ECTN Certificate
- Plants and flowers
- Live Animals
- Objects of art, precious stones, gold and other precious metals
- Crude oil
- Exposed and developed cinematographic film
- Imports with a FOB value below 3,000,000 XOF
- Scrap metal
- Medicine without tariff code: 3002, 3005 & 3006
- Medical equipment (HSC 9022)
- Condoms imported by PROMACO
- Explosives and pyrotechnic products
- Personal gifts
- Perishable goods for human consumption neither frozen or deep frozen (e.g. fish, meat, fruit and vegetables)
- Used vehicles
- Bona fide gifts to the Government and imports for diplomatic entities and for United Nations organisations for their own use in Burkina Faso
- Weapons and related ammunition other than for hunting and sport purposes
- Current newspapers and periodicals, postal or fiscal stamps, stamped papers, banknotes and chequebooks
- Fertilizers
- Used personal and household effects
- Non-commercial parcel post and commercial samples
- Hydrocarbons
- Cereals
- Wheaten flour (Wheat)
- Asphalt
- Iron intended for industrial purposes
- Hydraulic cement and Clinker
- Books (HSC 4901)
- Construction machinery, drilling and mining (HSC 8429 & 8430) imported by mining companies for their own activities
- The products subject to minimum values which list will be communicated by ministerial decision
Prohibited Goods for Import to Burkina Faso
- Beef and veal meats and its derivatives, coming from Belgium, France, Ireland, Portugal, Holland, the United Kingdom and Switzerland
- Bones, bone meal, meat meal and any other substance derived from an animal carcass for purposes of feeding or manufacturing any animal foodstuffs and any animal foodstuffs or mineral supplements for feeding ruminant derived there from
- Any foodstuffs containing a product derived from these prohibited species (ox, porcine, fish)
- Poultry, porcine, breeding fish or Belgian origin
- Semen, embryos and reproducer coming from Belgium, France, Ireland, Portugal, the United Kingdom and Switzerland
Restrictive Goods shipping to Burkina Faso
- Salt for human consumption must be iodized
- Sugar, subject to special authorization
- Medicines, subject to visa on final invoice by Ministry of Health before clearance of goods
- Tobacco, limited list of authorized importers valid for one year
- Explosives, arms, ammunition and military effects, subject to special authorization
- Product requiring minimum of 1000 tons to be imported: sugar, rice, wheat flour. This rule only applies when the concerned goods are imported along (e.g. only one type of good is declared on the Inspection Order)
- Electrical batteries are subject to quality specifications
- Rice is subject to quality specifications
Charges to Burkina Faso ECTN Certificate
For creating a ECTN certificate for Burkina Faso different rates are applicable. This depends on the Port of Loading and type of shipment, like LCL, FCL, Breakbulk or RORO.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a Burkina Faso ECTN certificate, and why do I need one for my shipment?
An ECTN (Electronic Cargo Tracking Note) or URN (Unique Reference Number) is a mandatory waiver certificate required for all commercial sea freight shipments destined for Burkina Faso. Also known as a Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) or waiver document, the ECTN must be obtained by the shipper or freight forwarder at the port of loading before the cargo is shipped. Without a valid Burkina Faso ECTN, your shipment risks being blocked by Burkina Faso customs authorities. Al Sharqi provides reliable ECTN waiver services for landlocked African markets like Burkina Faso.
Does the ECTN number need to be listed on the Master Bill of Lading for Burkina Faso?
Yes. It is mandatory to mention the Burkina Faso ECTN number on the Master Bill of Lading (B/L) as well as on the carrier's cargo manifest. Al Sharqi's waiver team works quickly to provide you with the validated ECTN number in advance, even if some documentation is still incomplete at the time of application, ensuring it can be correctly endorsed on your shipping documents before the vessel departs.
What documents are required to get a Burkina Faso ECTN waiver certificate?
The standard documents required to apply for a Burkina Faso ECTN certificate through Al Sharqi include: a commercial invoice with itemized freight charges, a packing list, a draft or final Bill of Lading, HS codes for all goods, and the contact details (phone number and email) of both the shipper and consignee. A separate freight invoice in the same currency may be needed if freight is not included in the commercial invoice. Al Sharqi's trade compliance specialists confirm all specific requirements for your shipment.
Can Al Sharqi provide the Burkina Faso ECTN number in advance before final shipping documents are ready?
Yes. Al Sharqi is able to provide the Burkina Faso ECTN number in advance, even when documentation is not yet complete. This allows you to begin coordinating with your shipping line early and endorse the ECTN/URN reference on the Bill of Lading without delays. Our proactive approach to waiver certificate management helps freight forwarders and shippers avoid last-minute compliance issues for all Africa-bound cargo.
What types of shipments require a waiver certificate for Burkina Faso?
All sea freight shipments to Burkina Faso, regardless of shipment type, require a valid ECTN/waiver certificate. This includes FCL (Full Container Load), LCL (Less than Container Load), Breakbulk, and RORO (Roll-on/Roll-off) cargo. Since Burkina Faso is a landlocked country, shipments are typically routed through ports in neighboring countries such as Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, or Benin, making proper documentation at the port of loading critical to avoiding delays.
What are the penalties for shipping to Burkina Faso without an ECTN certificate?
Shipments arriving at Burkina Faso's transit or destination ports without a valid ECTN/waiver certificate will be blocked for delivery by local customs authorities. Significant fines and cargo detention fees can be imposed on the importer, leading to costly delays. It is essential to obtain your Burkina Faso ECTN before the cargo is loaded. Al Sharqi's waiver services team ensures your documentation is complete and compliant well ahead of loading deadlines.