Liberia CTN Non-Compliance: Shipment Held Due to Incorrect Invoice Number on BSC/CTN

Shipments to Liberia require accurate CTN/BSC documentation before arrival. Even when a CTN/BSC process has been initiated, incorrect or incomplete information on the certificate can still create serious customs issues and may result in shipment blockage.

A recent customer case highlights the importance of verifying every detail before submission.

Customer Shipment Held in Customs

In this case, the customer’s packages were blocked in customs due to non-compliance with the BSC requirement.

According to the message received from the consignee, the invoice number recorded on the BSC was not the final invoice number. Instead, a draft invoice number had been entered.

The customer requested that the forwarder who initiated the BSC modify the invoice number recorded on the certificate from the draft invoice reference to the final invoice number.

This issue caused the shipment to be held in customs and created an urgent need for amendment.

Why This Issue Happens

CTN/BSC certificates are used by the authorities to verify shipment details before or upon arrival. The information declared on the CTN/BSC must match the final commercial and shipping documents.

Common errors that may cause non-compliance include:

Incorrect invoice number
Draft invoice number used instead of final invoice number
Wrong Bill of Lading details
Incorrect consignee or shipper information
Mismatch between invoice, packing list, BL, and CTN/BSC details
Late application after shipment departure

Even a small mismatch can delay cargo release and may require an amendment before the shipment can proceed.

Why the Final Invoice Number Matters

The invoice number is an important reference in the CTN/BSC process. If the number declared on the certificate does not match the final commercial invoice, customs or the relevant authority may treat the shipment as non-compliant.

In this case, the BSC had been recorded with a draft invoice number, while the final invoice carried a different number. Because of this mismatch, the shipment could not move smoothly through customs.

Possible Consequences of CTN/BSC Non-Compliance

When a shipment arrives without a valid and accurate CTN/BSC certificate, the cargo may face:

Customs blockage
Release delays
Amendment charges
Penalties for non-compliance
Additional storage or demurrage costs

For Liberia shipments, customers should be especially careful, as non-compliance may lead to additional penalties depending on the stage of the shipment and whether the vessel has already berthed.

How to Avoid Similar Problems

To prevent delays, customers and forwarders should make sure that all documents are final and consistent before CTN/BSC submission.

Before submitting a CTN/BSC application, always check:

Final commercial invoice number
Bill of Lading number
Container numbers
Shipper and consignee details
Cargo description
Gross weight and package details
Freight and invoice values, where applicable
…

If any document is still in draft form, the CTN/BSC application should not be finalized until the confirmed details are available.

Our Recommendation

Customers shipping to Liberia should complete their CTN/BSC application before shipment and review all details carefully before submission.

Once a CTN/BSC certificate is issued or validated, amendments may create additional costs and delays. If the shipment has already arrived or the vessel has already berthed, the situation may become more urgent and may be subject to penalties.

If you are shipping to Liberia, our team can assist you with the CTN/BSC application process and help you review the required documents before submission.