FAQ
Cargo certificates are mandatory for seaborne export to various African countries. TFP AFRICA is currently entrusted with the signing or approval of cargo certificates for several countries and their government organizations:. By sharing our knowledge and due to our transparent work process we aim to achieve the most efficient business collaboration. Underneath you will find the answers on the most frequently asked questions.
Currently there are 25 African countries for which a certificate is required. It is not needed for all African destinations. Please visit COUNTRIES List to check for which country a certificate is needed. Here you will also find the different requirements per country.
The needs differ per ceritificate destination. Please visit Countries list to check the requirements per country.
This depends on the country of destination. However, in case all required documents are correct and complete, it will take between 5 and 48 hours.
This depends on the country of desitination and the policy of the carrier. For further information please contact our customer service team.
Yes, for each country we will send a draft for approval with the exception of Sierra Leone. For Sierra Leone it is possible to adjust the validated CTN afterwards without extra costs.
Free on Board (FOB). This pricing term indicates the cost of the goods, including all transportation costs from the manufacturer to the port of departure. FOB price does not include shipping freight and insurance charges.
There is no difference. The statistical value is mentioned on the export declaration. In case of any doubt, please feel free to contact us!
ECTN is a different name for a certificate. ECTN stands for Electronic Cargo Tracking Note. A ECTN is required for all shipments going to Burkina Faso, CAR, Chad, Congo, Guinea, Libya, Niger, Senegal, Burundi, Equatorial Guinea , Somalia and Togo.
A validated ECTN will be sent by email.
CNCA is a different name for a Certificate. CNCA stands for Conselho Nacional de Carregadores. A CNCA is required for all shipments going to Angola.
The CNCA is an original set of documents and can only be used when it is signed, dated and stamped by the Angolan authorities. A validated CNCA will be sent by email.
BESC is a different name for a certificate. BESC stands for Bordereau Électronique de Suivi de Cargaison. A BESC is required for all shipments going to Benin, Cameroon and Mali.
A validated BESC will be sent by email.
FERI is a different name for certificate. FERI stands for Fiche Électronique des Renseignements a l’Importation. A FERI is required for all shipments going to Democratic Republic Congo.
A validated FERI will be sent by email.
CTN is a different name for a Waiver. CTN stands for Cargo Tracking Note. A CTN is required for all shipments going to Sierra Leone and Ghana and Gambia and Djibouti.
A validated CTN will be sent by email.
BIETC is a different name for aCErtificate. BIETC stands for Bordereau d’Identification Électronique de Tracabilité des Cargaisons . A BIETC is required for all shipments going to Gabon.
A validated BIETC will be sent by email.
Important to know: The BIETC needs to be validated within 10 calendar days after sailing. BIETC applications sent 7 calendar days after sailing cannot be accepted!
BSC is a different name for a ECTN. BSC stands for Bordereau de Suivi de Cargaison. A BSC is required for all shipments going to Ivory Coast and Madagascar.
A validated BSC will be sent by email.
CEE means Certificado Eletronico de Embarque. The CEE is required for all shipments going to Guinee Bissau.
A validated CEE will be sent by email.
LCL, FCL, Breakbulk and Ro/Ro.
Yes, we are able to create certificate documents world-wide from any loading port to required country.
For some destinations we can. Please get in contact with our customer service team to check what we can do for you.
This depends on the country of destination. However, if all required documents are complete it will take between 5 and 48 hours.
GUOT means Guichet Unique des Opérations Transfrontaliers. This document is required to get the ECTN for Congo (Pointe Noire) validated. Shippers should instruct thhe importer in Congo to register in THE GUOT to obtain a T.I. number. This number should be mentioned on the ECTN. The GUOT document must be requested for each shipment.
F.D.I. means Fiche de Déclaration a l’Importation. This document is required to get the BSC for Ivory Coast validated. The shipper should receive the F.D.I. document from the importer in Ivory Coast. This document is only valid for one shipment.
From a freight forwarder’s perspective you can easily share your customer’s details, without risking to lose your customer to competition.
Our procedure is quite simple: You send us the necessary documents and we take care of the validated waiver document. It is Easy, Efficient and Cost saving!
The goods cannot be cleared until the Waiver document has been created! For most countries fines and seizure will be applicable when arriving without a valid Waiver document. Please contact IWS in case you need additional information.
The rates differ per country, depending on the port of loading and type of shipment (LCL, FCL, Breakbulk or Ro/Ro). Please feel free to contact us: thanks to our transparent fees you know what to expect!
