Cameroon BESC / ECTN Certificate Requirement

Mandatory BESC Certificate for Cameroon Imports

All cargo destined for Cameroon ports must be accompanied by a validated BESC certificate issued by an authorized agency.

The BESC is a legal prerequisite for cargo entry.
Shipments without a valid certificate are subject to penalties and may face delays or blockage at the port of arrival.

Obtaining the BESC is the shipper’s responsibility.

How long does it take to get approval?

Once all required documents are submitted, a draft BESC certificate is shared for confirmation.

After confirmation and payment, the certificate is submitted to Cameroon authorities for approval.

This process usually takes a few days, but up to one week should be expected for planning purposes.

Validation Deadline and Penalties

The Cameroon BESC / ECTN certificate must be approved at least 48 hours before the vessel’s arrival.

Failure to comply may result in:

• Penalty fees imposed at the port of arrival

• Shipment delays

• Possible cargo blockage

Even if a shipment becomes subject to penalties, assistance may be provided to help minimize further delays.

Required Documents to Obtain a Cameroon BESC Certificate

The following documents are required:

• Bill of Lading

• Commercial Invoice

• Freight Invoice
  (if freight amount is not stated on the commercial invoice)

• Import Declaration

Additional Requirement for RoRo Vehicles (Effective 1 May 2025)

For RoRo vehicle shipments, one of the following must also be submitted:

• Proof of registration in the Importers / Exporters File (FIMEX), or

• A valid Special Import Authorization

PDF copies of documents are sufficient.
Hard copies are not required.

Any modification after validation results in penalty charges.

What is a BESC Certificate?

The BESC certificate is issued by authorized agencies and verifies cargo authenticity and compliance with Cameroonian regulations.

BESC is the French abbreviation of Bordereau électronique de Suivi de Cargaison, translated in English as Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN).

Can an approved Cameroon BESC certificate be corrected?

Yes.
Even after validation, a Cameroon BESC certificate can be corrected, subject to applicable procedures and charges.

Air Shipments to Cameroon

Is a BESC certificate required for air shipments?

Yes.
A BESC waiver document is required for air shipments to Cameroon.

However, this application is completed upon arrival, making it the only waiver that can be applied for locally.

Vehicle Shipments Loaded in Containers

How should the certificate be issued?

If vehicles (chassis) are loaded in containers, the shipment type must be declared as containerized, as per Cameroon authorities (CNCC).

• Vehicle quantity must be clearly indicated on the ECTN

• Charges are calculated based on the number of vehicles

• If container details are not shown on the Bill of Lading, the shipment must be issued as RoRo

Import Declaration Explained

The Import Declaration is a document issued by the importer in Cameroon for taxation purposes.

It contains references such as:

• Transaction ID (P.R. Code)

• Taxpayer ID (N° Contribuable)

• D.I. Number (SGS)

This document applies to shipments organized after 15/12/2016 and is obtained through the Single Window (Guichet Unique) at the Port of Douala.

The Import Declaration must be linked to the BESC certificate.
Failure to do so may cause clearance issues at Douala port.

Why is the SGS number not shown on the validated BESC certificate?

Although the SGS number is entered during application, it does not appear on the final validated BESC.

This is standard practice under Cameroonian procedures.
The correct SGS number can be verified on the draft certificate.

Can the same BESC number be used for multiple shipments?

No.
Each BESC number is unique and applies to one shipment only.

Transit Shipments Through Cameroon

Do we need a BESC if the shipment is in transit to another country?

Yes.
If cargo is discharged in Cameroon and then transits to another country, two certificates are required:

• BESC / ECTN for Cameroon

• BSC / ECTN for the final destination country

Transit to the Central African Republic

Yes.
Shipments routed via Cameroon to the Central African Republic require:

• BESC certification for Cameroon

• ECTN certification for the Central African Republic

Transit to Chad

Yes.
Shipments routed via Cameroon to Chad require:

• BESC certification for Cameroon

• BESC certification for Chad

Responsibility

Responsibility for obtaining the ECTN / BESC certificate lies with the shipper.

Shipments transported without a valid certificate are penalized, and the shipper is responsible for any resulting loss.