Niger BSC Certificate — The Complete Guide
How the Niger BSC certificate works: issuing authority, required documents, application process, timeline and the rules that apply.
This guide covers the BSC certificate for shipments to Niger — who issues it, which documents it needs, how the application runs and what the validation rules are. For the country procedure page, see Niger BSC.
Overview
The BSC — Bordereau de Suivi des Cargaisons (Cargo Tracking Note) — is the cargo tracking certificate required for shipments to Niger. It is issued by Conseil Nigérien des Utilisateurs des Transports Publics (CNUT). Requirement status: Mandatory.
Benin transit (Cotonou): both the Niger BSC and the Benin BESC are required. Ivory Coast transit (Abidjan): only the Niger BSC is required. Ghana (Tema) / Nigeria (Lagos) transit: only the Niger BSC is required — no separate tracking note for Ghana or Nigeria.
Sample BSC certificate
A Niger 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
- Cotonou (transit)
- Lomé (transit)
Required documents
- Bill of Lading (Draft copy for pre-validation, Original copy showing the BSC number for final validation)
- Commercial Invoice
- Freight Invoice (Not required if freight is indicated on the Commercial Invoice)
- 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: 1–2 business 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. The Niger BSC is a two-step process: the official BSC number must first be obtained from a draft, then printed on the original Bill of Lading. A copy of that original B/L showing the BSC number is required to finalise validation — so start before the vessel sails.
Non-compliance. Cargo arriving without a validated Niger BSC faces customs penalties at the destination, terminal demurrage, and clearance delays until the certificate is regularised — far more costly than the certificate itself.
Frequently asked questions
Is the BSC mandatory for shipments to Niger?
Yes. As a landlocked country, Niger requires a validated BSC (Bordereau de Suivi des Cargaisons) for the customs clearance of all imported cargo.
Why is the Niger BSC a two-step process?
First we obtain the official BSC number from your draft documents (pre-validation). That number must then be printed on the original Bill of Lading, and a copy of that B/L is submitted to finalise the certificate.
I’m transiting through Benin — do I need two certificates?
Yes. If your shipment transits Benin (Cotonou) en route to Niger, both the Niger BSC and the Benin BESC are required.
Can I use one BSC number for multiple shipments?
No. Every Bill of Lading requires its own unique, validated BSC number.
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 Nigerian 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 Niger BESC certificate for your shipment.
What is BSC?
BSC – Bordereau de Suivi de Cargaison is another name for a waiver document, also known as an ECTN.
Do I have to mention the Niger BSC number on the Bill of Lading?
Yes. Two steps make up the Niger BSC validation procedure. First, the certificate is pre-validated, and the shipper is given the BSC number. Then, to validate the certificate, we need a copy of the original Bill of Lading with the BSC number.
Which name should be indicated on the bill of lading as a discharge port?
Cotonou (Benin) and Lome (Togo) are the ports mainly preferred for the imports which are transited to Niger, and these ports handle maritime traffic of Niger. Cotonou (Benin) is an important waypoint for the Republic of Niger. If the port of discharge is indicated as Lagos (Nigeria) or Tema (Ghana) on the bill of lading, there is no need to issue a BESC/ECTN certificate for these countries. Shippers will only need a BESC certificate for the Republic of Niger. For more information and document samples, please contact our team via sck@scktr.com.
Can I use the same BSC number for multiple shipments?
No, every Bill of Lading requires a unique, validated BSC tracking number. Regulations are subject to change, we recommend confirming the latest country-specific requirements with our team via email.
Ready to file? Apply for a BSC certificate or go back to the Niger BSC procedure page. All country guides: Country guides.