Senegal BSC (ECTN) Certificate

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 BESC.

Senegal - BSC Certificate

Last Updated: 18 December 2025 – Regulations are subject to change.

To ensure a smooth customs clearance process at Dakar, shippers must obtain a Bordereau de Suivi de Cargaison (BSC) certificate.

Senegal is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Mauritania to the north, Mali to the east, Guinea to the southeast, and Guinea-Bissau to the southwest. It also has a coastline along the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The capital and largest city is Dakar. The official language is French, and the population is around 17 million. Senegal has a diverse culture with influences from the indigenous tribes, European colonizers, and the African diaspora.

How to Get a Senegal BSC Certificate

The following documents must be sent for the Senegal BSC certificate:

• Bill of Lading
• Commercial Invoice
• Freight Invoice

You must submit PDF copies of the documents. Please ensure all documents are finalized before submission. A penalty fee will apply for any modifications requested after the certificate has been validated.

Is there anything else to watch when the certificate is issued?

Senegal’s customs procedure runs on a single platform: import and export declarations are made in the same place. The declaration made with the certificate we issue on the importer’s behalf is entered into the “Orbus” system, which registers how it matches the pre-declaration. For that reason, once the importer’s BSC is complete, the shipment must be registered in “Orbus” against the certificate reference.

Consignee & Single-Counter Requirements

To initiate the Senegal BSC process, the following importer credentials are strictly required:

• Consignee NIF: Importer’s Fiscal Identification Number (Número de identificación fiscal).
• Consignee Contact: Valid email address and phone number.

[!IMPORTANT] Orbus Number Requirement: The Customs Bureau of Senegal runs a single-counter declaration platform. The BSC is automatically matched against the importer’s local Orbus declaration. Therefore, the Orbus number is mandatory on all BSC registrations.

Landlocked Country Transit Regulations

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

How long does approval of the Senegal BSC take?

The draft certificate 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 Dakar. Approval normally comes within a few days, but it is worth allowing about a week so nothing is delayed.

Do we have to issue a BSC if our shipment transits Senegal to another country?

Under the current rules, if your shipment transits Dakar (Senegal) on its way to another country you do need a BSC. If the destination country has a certificate requirement of its own, that one has to be issued as well. If your cargo moves through the port of Dakar to one of the countries below, click the country name for its procedure: Burkina Faso, Mali.

What is BSC?

BSC (Bordereau de Suivi des Cargaisons) is the name of Senegal’s cargo tracking certificate.

Do I need a BSC if my shipment transits Senegal to Mali?

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

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.

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

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