In accordance with the mandates set by the official authorities, all maritime shipments destined for Somalia including Mogadishu, Berbera, Bossaso, Merca, and Kismayo must be covered by a compulsory Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN) as of 1st of February 2023. This regulation is strictly enforced to ensure a transparent and secure customs process.
Compliance Checklist:
Mandatory Status: Effective for all cargo arriving at Somali ports, the ECTN is a legal requirement for all Importers, Exporters, Shipowners, Carriers, Shipping Agents, Forwarders, and Customs agents.
Enforcement: This procedure is imposed by official authorities to effectively monitor and manage import traffic; compliance is non-negotiable for the legal discharge of cargo.
Timing: To ensure a fast and efficient entry, the certificate must be secured and validated at the port of loading prior to the vessel’s arrival at the destination.
Operational Risk: Navigating Somali customs without an officially validated ECTN exposes your shipment to significant administrative penalties, clearing difficulties, and costly port delays.
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
- Freight Invoice
- Commercial invoice
Regulations
- Importers must obtain an ECTN to unload any cargo at Somali 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 Somali port will face huge penalties and fines.
- Shipments without ECTN documents are prohibited from entering Somali ports