Liberia BESC Non-Compliance

Liberia BESC Non-Compliance: Shipment Held Due to Incorrect Invoice Number on BESC

Shipments to Liberia require accurate BESC documentation before arrival. Even when a BESC 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 BESC requirement.

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

The customer requested that the forwarder who initiated the BESC 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

BESC certificates are used by the authorities to verify shipment details before or upon arrival. The information declared on the BESC 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 BESC 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 BESC 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 BESC 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 BESC Non-Compliance

When a shipment arrives without a valid and accurate BESC 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 BESC submission.

Before submitting a BESC 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 BESC application should not be finalized until the confirmed details are available.

Our Recommendation

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

Once a BESC 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 BESC application process and help you review the required documents before submission.

Contact us before shipment to avoid non-compliance issues, amendment delays, and unnecessary penalties.