All the information you need to apply for a BIETC certificate for Gabon. How to get it, required documents, regulations, process, and FAQ's.

1. GABON BIETC
GetCTN

2. WHAT IS BIETC?
• BIETC is another form a waiver document and stands for Bordereau
d’Identification Électronique de Traçabilité des Cargaisons. You may have heard
about Bordereau de Suivi Cargaison (BSC) or ECTN that is exactly the same as
the BIETC document.
• You can face huge fines if you don’t have this certification when your cargo
arrives to the port.

3. REQUIREMENTS
You can check examples of each document on our website, where
we will help you with any questions that you may have.
Bill of lading •Draft Bill of Lading is acceptable
•Copy of HBL will be asked where applicable
Commercial Invoice •The Invoice copy, the one which was addressed to the Consignee in Gabon
•Incoterm, reference, and the date have to be mentioned
Freight Invoice •Only if the freight value is not mentioned in the Commercial Invoice
Export Customs Declaration •The declared values must correspond with the values on the Commercial Invoice unless
Crosstrade shipment
Validation Period
(from loading date)
•5 days - if port of departure is in Africa
•10 days - if port of departure is in Europe
•14 days - if departure port is in Middle East, Americas or Asia

4. PROCEDURE
Email us the
scanned copies
of the documents
We issue the
invoice & draft
copy of the BIETC
BIETC certificate
We need your
draft approval &
proof of transfer
Validated BIETC
copy delivered by
email
2 working days
1.You need to send us the scanned copies of the required documents.
2.We will then issue our invoice and provide the draft copy of the BIETC certificate for your approval
of the shipment details
3.Once the draft is approved and we have received the funds we will pre-validate the certificate and
deliver the BIETC number.
4.You will receive the BIETC number on the validated soft copy of the certificate soon after.

5. FAQ’S
• What is Bill of Lading?
• Bill of lading (BL) is a legal document between the shipper of freight and the
carrier. BL contains details such as type, quantity, destination, terms and the
timeline of the shipment being carried.
• A BL also serves as a receipt of goods on board, evidence of contact of carriage
and document of title to the goods.
• The BL is issued by the carrier when the goods are loaded onto a vessel for
international transit.

6. • Can I make amendments to a validated Gabon waiver
document?
• Yes, even after it’s validated, the BIETC certificate can be corrected.
• Do I need the hard-copy of the certificate?
• No. The hard-copy of the certificate is mandatory just for Angola.
• Do I need to fill up the BIETC application form?
• No, there is no need for you to fill up any form. Our support agent will fill it up,
so we eliminate any chance of mistakes on the certificate. We will just ask you to
sign and stamp the form so we can upload it to the system to support your
application.
FAQ’S

7. • The liner regulation says penalty of 100% of the freight manifest
value will be charged if BIETC number is not submitted before
loading. What is the meaning of freight manifest value?
• The shipping lines have the right to charge the shipper if any details that must
go to the BL is not submitted on time. This charge is called Manifest amendment
charge and can range from 100 to 200 Euro.
• What will be the fine if the validation period is overdue for
BIETC certificate?
• We couldn’t know the penalty fee you would face if you missed the deadline for
BIETC certificate. But there have been cases where exporters faced with a penalty
up to $40,000 for 2×40’containers.
FAQ’S

8. • We are working on a sale of a Caterpillar from Germany to
Gabon, which was manufactured in 1988. Can we get BIETC for
this?
• Normally a vehicle over 3 years old cannot be exported to Gabon. However,
CAT’s are not considered as vehicle bu Gabon authorities, thus we can issue the
BIETC certificate for CAT.
• Can I apply for BIETC number before vessel sailing?
• Some shipping lines do ask for the BIETC number before you can actually load
the goods on to the vessel. We can issue the number with draft BL before vessel
discharge.
FAQ’S

9. • When do I need to apply for Gabon BIETC certificate?
• Depending on the continent the loading port is located, the Gabon authorities
have granted 5 to 15 days within which the BIETC certificate must be validated.
The authorities are draconian about this policy. The certificate can not be
validated and will be penalized if the certificate is not validated within the
allocated time frame:
• 10 calendar days after sailing for shipments with departure Europe
• 5 calendar days after sailing for shipments with departure Africa
• 15 calendar days after sailing for shipments with departure America, Asia and Oceania
FAQ’S

10. • Is BIETC certificate necessary for LCL container?
• Yes. Gabon Authorities require BIETC certificate for each HBL in the LCL load.
• Is it mandatory to mention Gabon BIETC number on Bill of
Lading?
• Most shipping agents ask exporters to acquire BIETC certificate before the cargo
can be loaded to the vessel. This number will also be depicted on the Bill of
Lading. However, in certain cases, exporters can get away without mentioning
the BIETC number on the Bill of Lading.
FAQ’S

11. • Gabon BIETC penalties
• All cargo towards Gabon (in transit included) is subject to a BIETC (ECTN)
declaration (compulsory)
• The BIETC declaration must be requested by the Charger BEFORE loading of
cargo: This means even before there is a draft bill of lading.
• The BIETC reference number must be mentioned on the Bill of Lading
• The BIETC declaration must be validated within 5 days after sailing from
Departure
• If the BIETC declaration was not filed by the charger before loading, the
Gabonese customer will have to file the request at his side but against a penalty
of 50% of the value of the Freight manifest, in order to recover his cargo,
FAQ’S

12. • Gabon BIETC penalties
• If the Transporter loads a cargo towards Gabon without a draft BIETC reference
number or validated visa received from the Charger, he will be penalized for not
complying to the Gabonese law (penalty of 100% of the Freight manifest
value).
• Can we send final bill to you without the BIETC number?
• Yes, you may use BL without BIETC number. BIETC number doesn’t have to be
written on BL.
FAQ’S

13. GetCTN is a company established in 2005 and its sector of activity is
based on providing a valid Cargo Tracking Note for the exportation
and importation of products in different African countries.
Cargo Tracking Note is a certificate required by many African
countries, and our main objectives are to provide good services to our
customers, make sure to give them the right certificate for all their
shipments and furnish these Cargo Tracking Notes (CTN)
certificates within a short period of time.
We help you with all the process, making the certification simple and
easy.
ABOUT US

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