Cameroon BESC
Mandatory document for all ports in Cameroon.
Are you looking to ship goods to Cameroon? Make sure you’re aware of the Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des Cargaisons (BESC) which is a mandatory loading document for all shipments to Cameroon.
Failing to present the BESC document can result in severe consequences and a hefty fine, so it’s important to make sure you have it before your shipment arrives.
Don’t risk having your shipment delayed or charged twice the certificate cost plus the regulation charge’s. Get in touch today and ensure your shipment has a hassle-free voyage.
What is Cameroon BESC Certificate?
According to a ministerial order, every cargo destined for the ports of Cameroon—Douala, Kribi, Limbe, or any other port—must be secured by BESC certificates attesting to the legitimacy of the cargo and its conformity with local laws.
The shipper or freight forwarder must get the BESC waiver certificate from the designated representative. Without it, shipments cannot enter Cameroon as it is a legal requirement.
Certificate Requirements
Which documents are required for Cameroon BESC?
The following documents are mandatory for the Cameroon BESC certificate.
- Bill of lading
- Commercial Invoice
- Freight invoice (if the freight amount is not mentioned on Commercial Invoice)
- Import Declaration
To start the certification process, send PDF versions of the required documents to info@globalctn.com. For the issuance of BESC certifications, hard copies are not required.
Please make sure you send the final documents that don’t require revisions. After the certificates have been validated, a penalty cost will be applied for revisions.
General FAQs
A waiver document known as BESC (Bordereau Électronique de Suivi de Cargaisonis) is a necessary loading document at African ports.
An initial draft of the BESC certificate will be shared with your side after all necessary documentation has been submitted. Following that, we require your approval of the draft and payment.
The certificate will next be presented to Cameroon authorities for approval. Normally, this procedure takes a few days, but when planning, a week should be allowed.
You do not need to obtain a Cameroon BESC certificate if your freight is in transit through Cameroon.
The importer in Cameroon issues an exclusive document called an import declaration for taxation reasons. The document contains references with the names “Transaction ID: (P.R. Code)”, “Tax Payer’s ID: (N° Contribuable)” and “D.I. No (SGS)”.
For shipments planned after December 15, 2016, the required paperwork must be submitted. To swiftly get this document, the importer can go to the Single Window (Guichet Unique) at the port of Douala.
A port building known as “Guichet Unique” in French was given permission to dematerialize all processes by a single presidential order. They established a “single window” for all imports.
Up until the items are cleared, the importer can open an account and get a P.R. number to identify his transaction. The authorities demand that you link the import declaration to the BESC certificate, hence this number is needed to establish BESC. If not, the importer would run into issues at the port of Douala.
The only document required for a cargo going via Cameroon and ending up in Chad is the ECTN certificate for Chad.
The SGS number is submitted into the application, however it is not shown on the verified BESC certificate. This is neither inaccurate nor correct; it is just how the Cameroonian government prepared the BESC. Check the draft certificate to see the actual SGS number.
The Cameroon BESC certificate can be amended even after the document has been confirmed.
Each BESC number is unique and limited to one shipment. Every cargo needs to get its own validated BESC certificate.
Yes, you must receive the waiver form before shipping anything to Cameroon via air. However, the application is not finished until you get there.