“An ambitious measure whose effectiveness will, however, depend on how it is applied on the ground.”
— Matin Libre, Benin, 27 October 2026 (translated from French; original: « Une mesure ambitieuse dont l’efficacité dépendra toutefois de son application sur le terrain. »)
What happened
Benin has switched the Port Autonome de Cotonou to continuous cargo clearance. From Saturday 24 October 2026, the administrations and companies involved in clearing and removing goods from the port must keep working on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Raouf Malèhossou Aboudou, Director General of Benin Customs, announced the measure, according to Bénin Web TV and KOACI. The services named include Customs, the Union Maritime de la Communauté Portuaire (UMCC), stevedores and handling companies, shipping agents (consignataires), the port authority’s own services, the livestock and fisheries directorate, the Bénin Control inspection body and the banks.
The stated aim is to stop the end-of-week service breaks that often bring terminals to a halt, speed up clearance formalities, clear storage yards and sheds, and reduce the time and cost of cargo sitting in the port. Local outlet Prime News Monde describes the port as facing growing saturation linked to a sharp rise in cargo traffic, and reports that it has moved into “emergency” mode. Not everyone is convinced yet: in an article published on 27 October, the daily Matin Libre said the measure’s value will depend on staff actually being present at weekends, and gave no data on how the first weekend went. The move comes as Cotonou continues work on its basin extension and quay renovation, which began reporting first-phase results earlier this year.
What this means for shippers
For importers and their clearing agents in Benin, a seven-day release window is good news: containers that are ready to leave the port on a Friday should no longer wait until Monday for customs, inspection or bank sign-off. That can cut storage time and demurrage, which Bénin Web TV notes is one of the aims. But the measure only shortens the last step. It does not fix a cargo file that is incomplete when the vessel arrives. A container still waiting for a document will sit in the yard every day of the week, not just at weekends.
That is why exporters and forwarders shipping to Cotonou should treat this as a reason to tighten their paperwork, not relax it. The Benin cargo tracking note (ECTN) has to be in place and match the final bill of lading, with the right consignee, cargo description, weights and container numbers. Any change after loading, such as a rolled booking, a new vessel or an amended BL, should be reported straight away so the certificate can be corrected before arrival. If your cargo is moving through Cotonou to a neighbouring country such as Niger or Burkina Faso, check the requirements of the final destination as well.
Our advice: apply for the certificate early using confirmed booking details, send your consignee a full document set before the vessel berths, and ask your importer to confirm that their clearing agent is ready to work at weekends. As Matin Libre points out, the real test is on the ground, so do not build tighter delivery promises around the new hours until they are proven. If you have cargo for Benin loading in the coming weeks, contact HMG and we will check your certificate requirements before the cargo sails.
Key points
- From 24 October 2026, cargo clearance and removal services at Cotonou operate on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
- Customs, UMCC, handling companies, shipping agents, port services, Bénin Control, the livestock and fisheries directorate and banks are all covered.
- The aim is to cut delays, storage and demurrage, and to ease growing saturation at the port.
- Local press says success depends on staff actually being present; no results from the first weekend have been published.
- Faster weekend release only helps cargo whose documents, including the Benin ECTN, are complete and match the bill of lading.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Port of Cotonou open for cargo clearance at weekends?
Yes. From Saturday 24 October 2026, the services involved in clearing and removing goods at the Port Autonome de Cotonou, including customs and banks, are required to work on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
Why has Cotonou introduced seven-day operations?
Benin’s authorities want to end weekend service breaks, speed up cargo removal and reduce the build-up of goods in the port. Local press links the decision to growing saturation caused by rising cargo traffic.
Do shipments to Benin still need a cargo tracking note?
Yes. The new hours change when cargo can be released, not which documents are required. Shipments to Benin still need a valid ECTN that matches the final bill of lading, and it should be arranged before loading.
Sources
- Bénin Web TV — Port of Cotonou: the removal of goods open on weekends starting October 24
- Bénin Web TV — Port de Cotonou : passage au travail continu les week-ends et jours fériés dès le 24 octobre (in French)
- KOACI — Bénin : Décongestion du Port de Cotonou, les importateurs se sentent écoutés (in French)
- Prime News Monde — Engorgement du Port autonome de Cotonou : le gouvernement décrète le service continu (in French)
- Matin Libre — Port de Cotonou : la fin des week-ends et jours fériés à l’épreuve des faits (in French)
