CTN
Customs & complianceCargo Tracking Note
A mandatory document, issued before loading, that many African countries require for every import shipment.
In practice
Also called ECTN, BESC, or BSC depending on the country. Applied for at origin through an authorised agent, it records the shipper, consignee, cargo, and freight details. Cargo arriving without a valid CTN faces fines and delays at destination.
Seen in the wild
Shipment to Lagos requires an ECTN validated before vessel departure.