West Africa · Official cargo tracking document Sierra Leone BSC Certificate
Get your Sierra Leone ENS number and BSC certificate. Submit the required documents, including Bill of Lading, Invoice and Freight Invoice.
Validate before the vessel sails
Since 2015, all freights must obtain an ENS number (also recognized as a CTN or BSC) and complete an ACD declaration. The BSC certificate must be validated at least five days before the vessel's arrival.
No BSC = fines & demurrage
Shipments arriving without a BSC, or with a BSC bearing incorrect information, incur a penalty of double the certificate's cost, plus an extra fee determined by Sierra Leone's national port authorities.
Required Documents — Sierra Leone BSC
Sierra Leone BSC — short explainer
If your cargo transits another country
A shipment with a final destination of Mali in transit through Senegal only needs to get a BSC certificate for Mali.
Sierra Leone BSC: full requirements
Shipments to Sierra Leone need an ENS number and an ACD declaration. Send us the documents and we prepare and file the application, or complete the form yourself. We check the file against the shipping documents before it is submitted, which is where most declarations are lost.
SCK never fails to impress with their quick turnaround time for BSC requests. Outstanding service!
I received very productive consultancy from the company in my trade with Burkina Faso and Sierra Leone. Company representatives are people I want with me even when walking in Africa. I hope we will work more.
Sierra Leone is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The capital and largest city is Freetown. The official language is English, and the population is around 7.9 million. Sierra Leone has a diverse culture with influences from the indigenous tribes, European colonizers, and the African diaspora.
Since 2015, it’s mandatory for all freights to obtain an ENS number, also recognized as a CTN or BSC, and to complete an ACD declaration. The BSC certificate must be validated at least five days before the vessel’s arrival. Shipments arriving without a BSC, or with a BSC bearing incorrect information, will incur a penalty of double the certificate’s cost, plus an extra fee determined by Sierra Leone’s national port authorities.
Sierra Leone ENS Procedure
The following documents are required for your ENS number application:
- Bill of lading
- Invoice
- Freight invoice
- Phone number and e-mail address of the consignee
- Phone number and e-mail address of the sender
Regulations are subject to change, we recommend confirming the latest country-specific requirements with our team via email.

How long does it take to get the ENS Number?
It takes about a week to get approval as the approval process is conducted in Port of Freetown. Therefore, we recommend that you have the ICTN number mentioned in the approved certificate written on the bill of lading. In addition, as systemic defects and infrastructural issues may result in delays, we recommend that you make your application following the day of loading.
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.
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.
What a validated Sierra Leone 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.
Sierra Leone BSC: the complete guide
Issuing authority, required documents, application process, timeline and the rules that apply — in one page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is BSC?
Do I need a BSC if my shipment is in transit through Senegal to Mali?
Can I use the same BSC number for various shipments?
How do I apply for a BSC for Senegal if I have an LCL shipment?
Also shipping to other African ports?
Each destination has its own cargo tracking note. The countries below share this document family or this corridor.
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