Cameroon BESC Certificate

To ensure a smooth customs clearance process at destination ports, shippers are advised to initiate the Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des Cargaisons (BESC) application as soon as the Bill of Lading is obtained.

Cameroon BESC / ECTN Certificate Requirement

The BESC (Bordereau Électronique de Suivi de Cargaison), also known as the ECTN, is a cargo tracking certificate that is mandatory for all goods imported into Cameroon.

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The BESC is mandatory for Cameroon imports

All import cargo arriving at Cameroonian ports must be covered by a validated BESC certificate issued by an authorized agent.

The BESC is a legal requirement for cargo entering the country. Cargo arriving without a valid BESC can face:

• penalties

• delays at the port

• cargo blocking

Responsibility for obtaining the BESC lies with the shipper.

Validation Deadline and Penalties

The Cameroon BESC / ECTN must be validated at least 48 hours before the vessel arrives.

If this deadline is missed:

• penalties can be applied at the port of discharge

• delays can follow

• the cargo can be blocked

For more detail on late submission, penalty rates and what to watch for on a penalised file, see our article on penalised Cameroon BESC cargo.

Required Documents for the Cameroon BESC

The following documents are mandatory:

• Bill of Lading

• Commercial Invoice

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

• Import Declaration

PDF copies are sufficient. Amendments made after validation are subject to a penalty fee.

RoRo Vehicles (as of 1 May 2025)

RoRo vehicle shipments must additionally present one of the following:

• FIMEX (importer / exporter registration document), or

• a valid special import permit

Bill of Lading

The Bill of Lading (BL) serves as the primary cargo receipt for all maritime shipments bound for Douala or Kribi. The vessel departure date must be clearly printed on it.

Commercial Invoice

All items shipped must be backed by a clear commercial transaction document showing value breakdowns.

• The invoice must show freight costs separately if the shipment is CFR or CIF.

Import Declaration

The import declaration is the official document issued in Cameroon by the importer for taxation purposes.

It carries the following:

• Transaction ID (P.R. Code)

• Tax number (N° Contribuable)

• D.I. number (SGS)

It is mandatory for shipments arranged after 15/12/2016. The document is obtained through the Single Window (Guichet Unique) system at the Port of Douala.

If the declaration is not linked to the BESC, the shipment can run into serious problems at customs.

Why the SGS number does not appear on the validated BESC

The SGS number is entered when the application is filed, but it does not appear on the validated BESC itself.

This is specific to how Cameroon handles the document. The SGS number can be verified on the draft certificate before validation.

What is a BESC?

The BESC is the official document confirming compliance with Cameroon’s regulations and the accuracy of the declared cargo.

BESC stands for the French Bordereau électronique de Suivi de Cargaison, and its English equivalent is the Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN).

How long does approval take?

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

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

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

Can an approved Cameroon BESC be amended?

Yes. Corrections are possible even after the certificate has been validated, under set procedures and against a fee.

Can one BESC number cover several shipments?

No. Each BESC number is valid for a single shipment.

Air freight to Cameroon

Is a BESC required for air freight?

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

However, the application is completed on arrival. This makes Cameroon one of the few destinations where the waiver can be applied for locally rather than before departure.

Vehicles shipped inside containers (chassis)

How must the certificate be issued?

Where vehicles or chassis are loaded inside a container, the shipment must be declared as containerised, per the CNCC ruling.

• The number of vehicles must be stated explicitly on the ECTN

• The fee is calculated on the vehicle count

• If the container details do not appear on the Bill of Lading, the shipment is issued as RoRo

Transit shipments through Cameroon

Is a BESC required if the cargo transits to another country?

Yes. If cargo is discharged in Cameroon and moves on to another country, two separate certificates are required:

• the BESC / ECTN for Cameroon

• the BSC / ECTN for the final destination

Transit to the Central African Republic

For cargo moving through Cameroon to the Central African Republic, you need:

• the Cameroon BESC

• the Central African Republic BESC

Transit to Chad

For cargo moving through Cameroon to Chad, you need:

• the Cameroon BESC

• the Chad BESC

Responsibility

Obtaining the BESC / ECTN is the shipper’s responsibility.

Cargo carried without a valid certificate is subject to penalties, and the shipper bears any resulting loss.

Regulations are subject to change, we recommend confirming the latest country-specific requirements with our team via email.

Required documents for the Cameroon BESC

The import declaration comes from the Cameroonian side. If it is not linked to the BESC the shipment runs into serious problems at customs, so ask the importer for it early.

How the Cameroon BESC is issued

1. Send the documents. PDF copies are sufficient; a draft Bill of Lading is enough to start.
2. Pre-screen. We reconcile the invoice breakdown, the freight treatment and the import declaration references before filing.
3. Draft BESC issued for your confirmation. The SGS number can be verified on the draft - it is entered at filing but does not appear on the validated certificate.
4. Validation. After confirmation and payment the certificate goes to the Cameroonian authorities. Usually a few days; allow up to one week when planning.
5. Validated at least 48 hours before the vessel arrives at Douala or Kribi.

When to apply - the deadline that matters

As soon as the Bill of Lading is obtained. The BESC must be validated at least 48 hours before the vessel arrives; the window closes on arrival, not on departure, and cargo that reaches Douala or Kribi uncovered is subject to penalties, delays and cargo blocking.

How long a Cameroon BESC is valid

One validated BESC covers one Bill of Lading and one shipment. Corrections are possible after validation, under set procedures and against a fee.

Who files the Cameroon BESC

The shipper. Cargo carried without a valid certificate is subject to penalties and the shipper bears any resulting loss.

What a Cameroon BESC costs

Two parts: the tariff set by the issuing authority, which varies with cargo type, container count and - for vehicles inside containers - the vehicle count, and our fee for preparing, filing and following the declaration through validation. Amendments after validation are charged separately. We quote it as one figure once we have seen the shipment details - email sck@scktr.com.

Which ports it covers

Douala and Kribi. Air freight to Cameroon also requires a BESC waiver, applied for on arrival, which makes Cameroon one of the few destinations where the waiver can be handled locally rather than before departure.

Other names for this document

BESC, ECTN, BSC and CTN all name the same declaration. Around the same Central African corridor it appears as a BESC in the Central African Republic, a BESC in Chad, a BIETC in Gabon, a ECTN in Equatorial Guinea, an ECTN in the Republic of Congo and a FERI in the DR Congo.

SCK Representation is an authorized ECTN, BESC, CTN and cargo tracking note provider for shipments to African countries, filing from Istanbul since 2001.