East Africa · Official cargo tracking document

Madagascar BSC (ECTN) Certificate

The Madagascar BSC (Bordereau de Suivi Cargaison) must be acquired at least three days before declaration submission, which is due five days before the vessel reaches Customs territory.

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BSC At a glance
CertificateBSC
DestinationMadagascar
StatusMandatory
Processinga few days
ValidityOne validated BSC per Bill of Lading.
AuthorityMadagascar National Shippers' Council
2001
Issuing tracking notes since
30+
African destinations served
Hours
Typical draft turnaround
1:1
Dedicated file specialist
The deadline that matters

Validate before the vessel sails

Acquire the BSC at least 3 days before declaration submission, with submission required 5 days before the vessel arrives in Customs territory.

Cost of non-compliance

No BSC = fines & demurrage

Non-compliance means cargo will be returned to its origin. Once validated, the Madagascar BSC cannot be revised in any way.

Regulatory mandate

Required Documents - Madagascar BSC

✓Bill of Lading
✓Commercial Invoice
✓Customs Declaration
On video

Madagascar BSC - short explainer

Country Guide

Madagascar BSC: full requirements

Madagascar BSC - Loading Certificate

Importing to Madagascar requires a Madagascar BSC (Cargo Tracking Note), also called the Madagascar ECTN, before the cargo can be cleared without penalties. Send us the documents, or complete the form yourself, and we prepare and file the declaration. Processing typically takes a few days; allow a week when planning a shipment.

Always a pleasure working with them. Their expertise in BSC certificates saves us time and stress.

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madagascar mapMadagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa. It is the fourth-largest island in the world and is known for its diverse wildlife, including lemurs, and its unique plants and culture. The capital and largest city is Antananarivo. The official languages are Malagasy and French, and the population is around 27 million.

For successful shipments to Madagascar, acquiring a BSC certificate at least 3 days before declaration submission is crucial, with submission required 5 days before the vessel arrives in Customs territory. Non-compliance means cargo will be returned to its origin.

Leveraging industry expertise and a solution-driven methodology, SCK Representation stands as the singular guide and aide for exporters needing to issue certificates, including the Madagascar BSC. Ensure smooth customs clearance by partnering with us for your certification needs.

Which documents are required for the Madagascar BSC certificate?

The following documents are required to issue the BSC:

  • Bill of Lading (a draft copy opens the application; the original is needed for validation)
  • Commercial Invoice (issued to the final consignee in Madagascar; Incoterm, payment method, origin and HS code must be stated for each item)
  • Freight Invoice (not required if the freight value is stated on the commercial invoice)
  • Packing List (container references with net and gross weight per container; shipper and consignee name and address must appear on the document)
  • Customs Declaration

Send PDF copies to sck@scktr.com. Hard copies are not required. Share the final documents, because a validated certificate cannot be changed.

BSC Madagascar Registration

All importers and exporters that ship to Madagascar must be registered on the BSC system and give their account number with the application. We check this registration on every BSC certificate we provide, so get your BSC from SCK Representation quickly and safely.

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

SCK Meeting Photo

How long does approval of the Madagascar BSC (Madagascar ECTN) take?

The draft Madagascar BSC is issued the same day your shipping documents reach us. Once the draft is checked and payment settled, the certificate goes for approval. All approvals are handled at the head office in Antananarivo. Approval normally comes within a few days, but it is worth allowing about a week. This page is for information; the detail can change with your shipment. Checks are made at the time and are subject to the council’s current rules.

Can I make amendments to a validated Madagascar waiver document?

No, Unfortunately, once validated, the BSC certificate to Madagascar cannot be revised in any way. You will need to explain the reason for the change at the destination customs.

Can I use the same BSC number for various shipments?

No. The BSC is unique and limited to a single shipment. Every cargo needs its own verified BSC number.

This content is reviewed to ensure accuracy and consistency with ECTN (CTN, BESC, BSC, BIETC, FERI, ACID, ACD) procedures, based on current operational practices and applicable regulatory frameworks at the time of the last update.

Are there any exemptions for cargo to Madagascar that don’t need the CTN/BSC Certificate?

Madagascar Customs exempts postal packets, parcels and air freight with a FOB value up to EUR 100, documents and samples, defence materiel, banknotes for the Central Bank, state-to-state gifts, diplomatic bags and disaster relief. Sea freight shipments need a BSC.

Are there any additional requirements for the issuance of a BSC certificate?

Importers should have registration on the platform and present their system account number and name to start the certification process.

As indicated earlier, the documents have to be issued with the above details and presented to complete the validation process.

  • The commercial Invoice must be issued to the name of the final consignee. Incoterms, payment terms, H.S. codes for each item and the origin of goods must be noted on the document.
  • The packing list must have a gross and net weight per container with their number. Also, the names and addresses of the shipper/consignee must be indicated on the document.

All these requirements mentioned above have to be fulfilled for the validation of the certificate.

For more information and document samples, please contact our team via sck@scktr.com.

Verified Compliance Review

This content is reviewed to ensure accuracy and consistency with ECTN (CTN, BESC, BSC, BIETC, FERI, ACID, ACD) procedures, based on current operational practices and applicable regulatory frameworks at the time of the last update.

Official Madagascar BSC sources

Madagascar Customs (Direction Générale des Douanes) requires a BSC for every cargo bound for Madagascar; the system was developed by GasyNet, whose technical centre checks each BSC before validation.

Sources checked on 15 October 2026.

Sample certificate

What a validated Madagascar BSC looks like

A certificate 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.

Masked sample of a validated Madagascar BSC certificate
Full guide

Madagascar BSC: the complete guide

Issuing authority, required documents, application process, timeline and the rules that apply - in one page.

Read the Madagascar BSC guide

Questions, answered

Frequently Asked Questions

Since when does Madagascar require the BSC?
Since 1 April 2007, when the BSC replaced the earlier SGS pre-shipment inspection procedure for goods shipped to Madagascar.
Can a Bill of Lading for Madagascar be split or amended later?
Madagascar does not accept split Bills of Lading, and customs fines manifest amendments: Maersk lists USD 250 to 1,250 per amendment request. Settle the split and check every field before the BSC is created.
What is GasyNet?
GasyNet is the company that developed and runs Madagascar's online BSC system. Its technical centre checks every BSC for admissibility before validation, and the importer can follow the BSC's status in real time. A BSC is refused when information is incomplete or inconsistent, a required document is missing or the invoice is incomplete.
Does transit cargo need a Madagascar BSC?
Yes. Madagascar's official trade portal states that every cargo bound for Madagascar needs a validated BSC, whatever its final destination and customs regime.
When is the Madagascar BSC issued?
Madagascar Customs states that the BSC formalities are completed once the goods have been shipped. The BSC number must be passed to the shipping line to obtain the final Bill of Lading, so start early: registering a new consignee takes the longest.
How can you get a Madagascar BSC certificate?
Submit PDF copies of the Bill of Lading (draft accepted, original needed for validation), Commercial Invoice, Freight Invoice (unless freight value is on the Commercial Invoice), Packing List, and Customs Declaration via sck@scktr.com. Importers and exporters must also be registered on the BSC system and give their account number with the application.
How long does it take to get approval?
The draft is issued within a day if documents are complete and coherent, and verification approval is usually received in a day, but the full process may take about a week as approvals are handled in Antananarivo.
Can I make amendments to a validated Madagascar BSC?
No. Once validated, the BSC cannot be revised in any way; you would need to explain the reason for the change at the destination customs.
Can I use the same BSC number for various shipments?
No. The BSC is unique and limited to a single shipment; every cargo needs its own verified BSC number.
Are there any exemptions for cargo to Madagascar?
Madagascar Customs exempts postal packets, parcels and air freight with a FOB value up to EUR 100, documents and samples, defence materiel, banknotes for the Central Bank, state-to-state gifts, diplomatic bags and disaster relief. Sea freight shipments need a BSC.

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Ready to get your Madagascar BSC?

Send your documents. We check your file and issue the validated certificate your cargo needs to clear customs at the destination port.