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.

Avoid port penalties & demurrage Authorized agent since 2001 Documents pre-screened 4.9 · 118 Google reviews
BSC At a glance
CertificateBSC
DestinationSierra Leone
StatusMandatory
Processingabout a week
ValidityOne validated BSC per Bill of Lading
PortsFreetown
AuthoritySierra Leone National Shippers' Council
2001
Issuing tracking notes since
25+
African destinations served
Hours
Typical draft turnaround
1:1
Dedicated file specialist
The deadline that matters

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.

Cost of non-compliance

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.

Regulatory mandate

Required Documents — Sierra Leone BSC

Bill of Lading
Freight Invoice
On video

Sierra Leone BSC — short explainer

Transit & landlocked routing

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.

Country Guide

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.

SCK Meeting Photo

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.

Sample certificate

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.

Masked sample of a validated Sierra Leone BSC certificate
Full guide

Sierra Leone BSC: the complete guide

Issuing authority, required documents, application process, timeline and the rules that apply — in one page.

Read the Sierra Leone BSC guide

Questions, answered

Frequently Asked Questions

What is BSC?
BSC – Bordereau de Suivi de Cargaison is another name for a waiver document also known as an ECTN.
Do I need a BSC 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, the BSC is unique and limited to a single shipment. Every cargo needs its own verified BSC number.
How do I apply for a BSC for Senegal if I have an LCL shipment?
You can apply with a Master Bill of Lading if shipping LCL to Senegal. A House Bill of Lading cannot be used to apply for a Senegal certificate.

Also shipping to other African ports?

Each destination has its own cargo tracking note. The countries below share this document family or this corridor.

Trusted by exporters and freight forwarders shipping from Türkiye to Africa

A few of the brands that rely on us for the ECTN, BESC and CTN documents their cargo needs.

DHL DHL
Maersk Maersk
CMA CGM CMA CGM
APL APL
CEVA Logistics CEVA Logistics
Bolloré Logistics Bolloré Logistics
Aramex Aramex
SGS SGS
Nestlé Nestlé
Danone Danone
TotalEnergies TotalEnergies
Heidelberg Materials Heidelberg Materials
Arkas Lojistik Arkas Lojistik
Horoz Lojistik Horoz Lojistik
Mutlu Makarna Mutlu Makarna
Nuh'un Ankara Makarnası Nuh'un Ankara Makarnası
Oba Makarna Oba Makarna
Pakmaya Pakmaya
Remant Logistics Remant Logistics
OCETRA OCETRA
Africa Global Logistics Africa Global Logistics
Naxco Naxco
CCIS CCIS
Gulf First Shipping & Logistics Gulf First Shipping & Logistics
Globelink West Star Shipping Globelink West Star Shipping

Ready to get your Sierra Leone BSC?

Send your documents. We check your file and issue the validated certificate your cargo needs to clear customs at the destination port.