Senegal BSC Certificate — The Complete Guide

This guide covers the BSC certificate for shipments to Senegal — who issues it, which documents it needs, how the application runs and what the validation rules are. For the country procedure page, see Senegal BSC.

Overview

The BSC — Bordereau de Suivi de Cargaison — is the cargo tracking certificate required for shipments to Senegal. Requirement status: Mandatory.

Dual Certificate Requirement: If cargo is in transit through the Port of Dakar to landlocked countries (such as Mali or Burkina Faso), a certificate is required for both countries. For example, cargo bound for Bamako via Dakar requires a Senegal BSC and a Mali BSC.

Sample BSC certificate

A Senegal 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

• Dakar

Required documents

• Bill of Lading (Master BL required for LCL shipments)
• Commercial Invoice
• Freight Invoice (Not required if freight value is indicated on the Commercial Invoice)

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: A draft copy is issued in a day if all mandatory documents are provided and coherent; as all approvals are handled in the main office in Dakar, the process may take about a week.
• 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

Non-compliance. A penalty fee will apply for any modifications requested after the certificate has been validated.

Frequently asked questions

How do I apply for LCL shipments?

LCL shipments require the Master Bill of Lading (MBL). A House Bill of Lading (HBL) is not accepted by the Senegalese authorities.

Can I use the same BSC number for multiple shipments?

No, every Bill of Lading requires a unique, validated BSC tracking number.

Is the Orbus number required?

Yes. The BSC is automatically matched against the importer’s local Orbus declaration on Senegal’s single-counter platform, so the Orbus number is mandatory on all BSC registrations.

What importer credentials are needed to start the BSC process?

The Consignee NIF (Fiscal Identification Number) and valid consignee contact details (email address and phone number) are strictly required.

How long does it take to get approval?

A draft copy of the certificate will be issued in a day if all mandatory documents are provided and coherent. The certificate will be submitted for validation once we receive your confirmation on the draft and the payment. The approval for verification is usually received in a day. However, as all the approvals are handled in the main office in Dakar, the process may take about a week.

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

Below are details of the consignee that need to be provided to start the Republic of Senegal BSC process. Consignee details; phone number, e-mail address and NIF – Número de identificación fiscal Customs Bureaus of Senegal implement a single-counter procedure; import and export declarations are completed on a single platform. The certificate issued for shipment and the declaration is compared with the Orbus declaration of the importer. Therefore, the Orbus number is mandatory in all BSCs. For more information and document samples, please contact our team via sck@scktr.com.

Do we need a BSC certificate if the shipment is in transit to a landlocked country?

If your freight is in transit to another landlocked country (such as Burkina Faso or Mali) through Dakar port (Senegal), you must get an ECTN certificate for both countries. For instance, a shipment transferred to Mali via Dakar would require the certificates for Mali and Senegal. You can reach the procedures by clicking on the name of countries if your cargo is in transit to a landlocked destination: Burkina Faso Mali

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

Dakar is the leading and only port of Senegal. This port handles all maritime traffic of Senegal, and it is an essential waypoint for Burkina Faso and Mali. Therefore, if the port of discharge is indicated as Dakar on the bill of lading, you need to issue an ECTN certificate for Senegal.

Do I need to get 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.

How do I apply for a BSC document for Senegal If I have an LCL shipment?

You can apply for a certificate with a Master Bill of Lading if you are shipping LCL to Senegal. A House Bill of Lading cannot be used to apply for a Senegal certificate.

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Ready to file? Apply for a BSC certificate or go back to the Senegal BSC procedure page. All country guides: Country guides.