Benin ECTN/BESC requirement

Under Benin Republic regulations and Port Autonome de Cotonou (PAC) rules, all sea cargo to Cotonou — whether direct or transhipped — must hold an ECTN (French: BESC, Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des Cargaisons) before the vessel sails. The certificate carries 17 structured fields covering shipper, consignee, cargo description, value, weight and routing.

Certificate name

ECTN (BESC) — Electronic Cargo Tracking Note. One number per Bill of Lading. Issued electronically.

Scope

All sea cargo to Cotonou: FCL, LCL, break-bulk and RoRo, including general goods and dangerous goods. Cargo transhipped via Cotonou to Niger, Burkina Faso or Nigeria is also covered. No exemption. Loading port is not restricted.

Data required

ECTN Application Form (stamped)

Commercial Invoice indicating FOB value (stamped)

Packing List (stamped)

Draft Bill of Lading (vessel, voyage, container number)

Export Customs Declaration (pre-recorded or final)

Timing

The ECTN number must be obtained before loading and inserted into the Bill of Lading; carriers typically require it before the B/L cut-off. The original certificate must be issued within 5 working days after the vessel sails; the system entry must be completed at least 5 working days before the vessel calls. Late completion incurs a penalty of 0.5% of cargo value per day. Number issuance can be completed within 30 minutes; the draft within 1–2 hours; the final certificate typically within 1–3 working days.

Project flow

Complete the Application Form with vessel, voyage, POL, POD, issue date, packages, cargo description, HS code and weight.

Prepare the draft B/L, Commercial Invoice, Packing List and Export Customs Declaration.

Submit the documents; the Benin ECTN draft and number are generated.

Review the draft against the transport documents.

Receive the final Benin ECTN electronically.

Compliance risk. Non-compliance may lead to refusal of entry, customs detention, a fine of 15% of cargo value, and demurrage of 0.5% of cargo value per day up to 50% of cargo value. Cargo may be returned or confiscated. Variations in declared cargo value exceeding 5% trigger manual review.