Ivory Coast BSC Certificate — The Complete Guide
How the Ivory Coast BSC certificate works: issuing authority, required documents, application process, timeline and the rules that apply.
This guide covers the BSC certificate for shipments to Ivory Coast — who issues it, which documents it needs, how the application runs and what the validation rules are. For the country procedure page, see Ivory Coast BSC.
Overview
The BSC — Bordereau de Suivi des Cargaisons (Cargo Tracking Note) — is the cargo tracking certificate required for shipments to Ivory Coast. Requirement status: Mandatory.
Abidjan and San Pedro are important waypoints for Burkina Faso and Mali. Freight in transit via Abidjan does not need an Ivory Coast BSC; it is only required for importing goods.
Sample BSC certificate
A Ivory Coast BSC we filed, with the customer fields masked. Use it to check the layout, where the authority stamp sits and where the reference number is printed.
Discharge ports
- Abidjan
- San Pedro
Required documents
- Bill of Lading
- Freight Invoice
- Packing List
- Certificate of Origin
- Customs Declaration
Application process
1. Send your documents
Share PDF copies of the required documents via sck@scktr.com, or upload them through the application form. There is no need to send hard copies for the issuance of BSC certificates.
2. Draft is prepared
Once complete, consistent documents arrive, a draft is prepared for your confirmation. A file specialist checks the shipment details against the documents before anything is filed.
3. Confirm the draft
Check every field on the draft — consignee, ports, weights, values and container references. Final documents must be submitted without further amendments; corrections after validation are charged separately.
4. Filing and validation
The confirmed file is submitted to the issuing authority for validation. The BSC number is issued at validation, so it cannot be shown on documents prepared before that point.
5. Certificate delivered
The validated certificate is sent to you and can accompany the cargo to the destination port.
Timeline
- Processing time: a few days
- Validity: One validated BSC per Bill of Lading.
The exact cut-off depends on the destination and the vessel schedule; confirm the deadline for your shipment with our team before filing.
Special rules
Validation deadline. Every shipment to Ivory Coast must have a BSC certificate, which must be validated no later than 5 days before vessel arrival; without it, cargo will not be cleared and will be returned.
Non-compliance. A penalty fee occurs for modifications made after validating the certificate. Transports without a certificate are penalized and the shipper is responsible for the loss.
Frequently asked questions
Are there any additional requirements for the issuance of a BSC certificate?
Importers must be registered on the platform and provide their system account number and name. The certificate of insurance (certificat d’assurance) and FDI document must be issued by the Ivory Coast importer.
How long does it take to get approval?
A draft copy is issued in a day if all documents are provided and coherent. Approval is usually received in a day, but as all approvals are handled in the main office in Abidjan, the process may take about a week.
What is an FDI?
Fiche de Déclaration à l’Importation (Import Declaration Form). Ivory Coast requires an FDI for every shipment, requested by the consignee from the customs office in Ivory Coast and produced separately per shipment and Bill of Lading.
Can I use the same BSC number for various shipments?
No, BSC is unique and limited to a single shipment. Every cargo needs its own verified BSC number.
Ready to file? Apply for a BSC certificate or go back to the Ivory Coast BSC procedure page. All country guides: Country guides.