Cameroon

WAIVER REQUIREMENTS 

BESC 

Bordereau Electronique de Suivi des Cargaisons

The Republic of Cameroon is a country in Central Africa, bordered by the following countries: NIGERIA to the North-North West, CHAD to the North-North East, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC to the East, REPUBLIC OF CONGO to the South-East, GABON to the South, EQUATORIAL GUINEA, and GOLF OF GUINEA to the South-West.

According to the decree 00557/MINT issued by the National Port Authority (NPA), effective from11th July 2006, all seaport entrances to Cameroon must apply for BESC certificate with the aim to trace goods entering the country.

Since 01/01/2022, any ECTN must be validated no later than two (2) days before the arrival of the cargo in Cameroon. Otherwise you will risk PENALTIES at the landing port.

In February 2023, the Cameroon National Shippers’ Council (CNSC) implemented an increase in the cost for the regularization of an Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN). The cost increased to 200% of the ECTN value. 

From 01/12/2024, the concept of groupage CTN will be banned. To this end, for groupage cargo, each groupage entity, with its sub-BL and the commercial and freight invoice, must have an ECTN drawn up for its cargo.

Port

  • DOUALA

Documents and Informations required

  • Bill of Lading (Draft B/L is allowed)
  • Commercial invoice reflecting the Incoterm / currency must be mentioned in USD or EURO
  • Freight invoice in the same currency (required if the freight amount is not specified on the commercial invoice)
  • Phone number and email address of shipper and consignee
  • ETS & ETA
  • Country of Origin of the goods

Additional information

  • The Cameroon BESC number will be provided after validation in EUROPEAN ZONE.
  • At the Port of delivery, the validation process will take 3-5 days from initial request.
  • On February 6th, 2024, the Cameroon National Shippers’ Council (CNSC) has updated its pricing policy for Motorbikes – Motorbikes will be charged at the same rate as Chassis and will be entered into the system as Chassis.
  • Since 01/07/2024, shipping documents issued for the transport of goods to Cameroon must include the following additional information:

– The commercial description and tariff classification (HS code) of the goods.
– The first year of registration of imported vehicles.

It is MANDATORY that all shippers provide this information to shipowners and forwarding agents when drawing up their bill of lading.

Failure to comply with this obligation will result in penalties ranging from XOF 500,000 to XOF 2,000,000.

Procedure

  • Submit the required documents by email or online.
  • You will be sent a draft and an invoice, typically within the same day.
  • Once your payment has been received and you approve the draft, a validation will be sent.

Timeline

  • The BESC must be validated before the arrival of the ship at destination
  • No regularization at the port of landing.
  • The process can usually be completed within 48 hours of receiving payment

Penalties

  • Shipment arriving without CTN or false information in the CTN results in a fine of an amount that is twice of the cost of the CTN, plus the regulation charge determined by Angola National Port officials.
  • Failing to present a valid CTN may result in a fine of up to 5000 US Dollars per incident. Goods arriving at the port of landing without ECTN risk paying penalties and fines.
  • Any shipper failing to obtain the ECTN at loading port will be penalized equal to 150% of the BESC value.


    Quotation request


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