Mali BESC – Waiver Certificate

Mali requires an Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN) certificate, also known as a Bordereau Electronique de Suivi des Cargaisons (BESC), for all shipments destined for the country. SCK Representation is an authorized agent for the issuance of Mali BESC certificates. To obtain a BESC certificate, you must provide the required documents or fill out the form yourself. The BESC process typically takes a few days, but it is recommended to allow a week. It is vital to check the certificate requirements for the port of destination and ensure that all necessary documents are obtained to avoid potential delays or penalties.

Mali is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Algeria to the north, Niger to the east, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast to the south, Guinea to the southwest, and Senegal and Mauritania to the west. The capital and largest city is Bamako. The official language is French and the population is around 20 million. Mali has a diverse culture with influences from the indigenous tribes, European colonizers, and the African diaspora.

BSC must be presented within 5 days of the ship’s departure or 5 days prior to the ship’s arrival at the port, according to MNSC (Mali National Shippers Council) requirements. Shipping or arriving without a BSC or providing incorrect information in a BSC results in a fine equal to the cost of the BSC plus any additional regulation fees set by MNSC.

“SCK Representation” was appointed as one of the official agents for the issuance of Mali BESC certificates on January 22, 2015.

BESC is a French shortening of ‘Bordereau électronique de Suivi de Cargaison’, translated as ‘Electronic Cargo Tracking Note’ (ECTN) in English.

As Mali is a landlocked country, there will be a requirement for an additional BESC/ECTN certificate in the country where the port of arrival is located. In addition, you need to get another freight certificate via Guinea and Senegal. However, there is no requirement for a loading certificate for the freights via Abidjan.

How can you get the Mali BESC certificate?

The following documents are required for the Mali BESC certificate:

  • Bill of Lading (Applications can be made with draft copy)
  • Commercial Invoice
  • Freight Invoice (it is not necessary if the freight value is indicated on Commercial Invoice)

To start the certification process, you should share PDF copies of the documents through [email protected]. There is no need to send hard copies for the issuance of BSC certificates. Please be sure to share the final documents, which will not have any more amendments later in the process. A penalty fee will occur for the modifications after validating the certificates.

How long does it take to get approval?

Once you provide all the required documents, a draft of the BESC certificate will be shared with your side. Next, we need your confirmation on the draft and payment. Afterwards, the certificate will be submitted for the approval of the Malian authorities. This process usually takes a few days, but a week should be expected in planning.

If your freight is in transit via Abidjan (Ivory Coast), you do not need to get an Ivory Coast BSC certificate. Ivory Coast BSC is only required for importing goods. Therefore, you only need to issue a Mali BESC certificate for your shipment.

Which name should be indicated on the bill of lading as a discharge port?

Abidjan (Ivory Coast), Conakry (Guinea) and Dakar (Senegal) are the ports mainly used for the imports which are transited to Mali, and these ports handle all maritime traffic of Mali. Dakar (Senegal) is an important waypoint for the Republic of Mali. If the port of discharge is indicated as Abidjan, Conakry or Dakar on the bill of lading, you need to check the shipment’s final destination to be sure if it is in transit to a landlocked country. In addition to these ports, Cotonou (Benin) and Tema (Ghana) can also be preferred for importing goods to the Republic of Mali. Benin ECTN is required for transit cargo, whereas Ghana does not have an ECTN application.

For more information and document samples, please contact our team via [email protected].

If the cargo is going to Mali via another port, do we need a separate CTN certificate in this case?

Since Mali is a landlocked destination, you need to check whether there is also a certificate requirement at the port of destination. The majority of the cargo going to the country is carried out in transit through the ports of Abidjan (Ivory Coast) and Dakar (Senegal). There is no need to issue a BSC certificate for transit loading for Ivory Coast (Abidjan) and Ghana (Tema). Only a Mali BESC certificate must be issued for your shipment.

If the port of destination is indicated on the bill of lading as Conakry (Guinea), Cotonou (Benin), Dakar (Senegal), or Lome (Togo), the relevant country must issue an additional certificate for your shipment.

Do I need a BSC certificate if my shipment is in transit through Senegal to Mali?

A shipment with a final destination of Mali in transit through Senegal only needs to get a BSC certificate for Mali.

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 BSC number that has been verified.

Certificate requirement for freights transported to Mali with transit

Mali has started to implement certificate requirements. Cargos to Mali usually transit via Senegal. Please make sure that you get your certificate in such freights.

Required documents:

BESC (Bordereau Electronique de Suivi des Cargaisons) is a compulsory document for any shipment with a final destination in Mali. Every BL which covers cargo destined for Mali must be covered by a BESC to allow cargo to be carried from POD to Mali border control and for the consignees to clear their cargo when entering Mali. The Exclusive Representative will implement this control at POD Satralog, who will clear the BESC and permit the carriage of the goods to Mali. If the shipment is not covered by a BESC, Satralog will issue a regularisation BESC at a maximum rate of five times the one at the origin to allow carriage of the goods to Mali. For the first three months of this new procedure, the penalty is the issuance of the BESC at the same cost as the one at the origin.

You can contact us via [email protected] for your questions.

Imports in Mali will no longer receive BESC at the destination.

Please be informed that since 01/01/2020, border controls have been enforced at the destination. Not-covered cargo has been regularised at the border by CMC in cooperation with our agents. No cargo will be forwarded to Mali without BSC, and not covered cargo will be subject to regularisation by port Agents at POD before carriage.

Consequently, please be informed that as of 15/02/2020, BSC issuance will no longer be possible at the borders. Still, it will be subject to regularisation by our POD agents, causing cargo delays at the borders for which we cannot be accounted as regulations have not been followed in the first place. Therefore, BSC must be requested and issued at the origin to avoid clearance blockage at the destination.

As the official agent, we are at your disposal at all times for your Mali BESC requirements.

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