All maritime shipments destined for the Port of Djibouti or the Djibouti Free Zone must be covered by a mandatory Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN), also known as a BESC. This certificate is an absolute prerequisite for cargo discharge and customs clearance effective June 15, 2023, and strictly enforced through 2026.
Compliance Checklist:
Mandatory Status: Required for all containerized, breakbulk, and vehicle shipments.
Risk of Non-Compliance: Cargo arriving without a validated ECTN faces heavy administrative fines (often double the certificate cost) and may be denied entry to the port or the Free Zone.
Transshipment Note: While cargo in transit to Ethiopia has seen varying local exemptions, it is highly recommended to secure an ECTN for the sea leg to Djibouti to prevent "downstream" disruptions at the border.
The Pelship Promise: In a landscape of shifting rules, we serve as your Knowledge Hub. We verify every change at the source, ensuring that your compliance is handled with care and proper guidance.
Protect your supply chain and prevent costly delays by submitting your high-resolution PDF documents (under 2MB per file) to the Pelship Team today for expert drafting and compliance validation.
Documents required:
- Bill of Lading
- Commercial invoice
- Freight Invoice
Regulations
- Importers must obtain an ECTN to unload any cargo at Djibouti ports.
- The goods without an ECTN number will not be loaded onto the vessel.
- The ECTN number must be written on the bill of lading.
- Shipments without ECTN documents arriving in Djibouti ports will face huge penalties and fines.
- Shipments without ECTN documents are prohibited from entering Djibouti ports
- Data Accuracy: Any discrepancy between the ECTN and the final shipping documents regarding Freight Costs or Cargo Description will result in technical rejections and re-validation charges.
"No ECTN – No Load" Policy: Some carriers may refuse to load cargo destined for Djibouti without a confirmed ECTN number to avoid financial liability at the destination. - Modifications: Any changes requested after final validation are at the sole discretion of the authorities and may incur additional administrative costs.