Benin BESC Certificate

Benin BESC — What It Is and Why It’s Required

All ocean freight shipments arriving at Cotonou, Benin’s only commercial port, require a BESC (Bordereau Électronique de Suivi de Cargaisons) — also referred to internationally as an ECTN (Electronic Cargo Tracking Note). The certificate is mandatory for all cargo discharged at Cotonou, including transit shipments destined for landlocked neighbours such as Burkina Faso and Niger.

Cotonou is one of West Africa’s busiest ports and serves as the primary gateway for goods entering the West African hinterland. The BESC requirement exists to give Beninese customs authorities advance visibility of incoming cargo, support legitimate trade, and reduce fraud and undervaluation at the point of discharge.

Required Documents

To process a Benin BESC, submit clear PDF copies of:

• Bill of Lading — draft copy accepted for the initial application; original required for final validation
• Commercial Invoice — must show accurate cargo value
• Freight Invoice — required if freight is not broken out on the commercial invoice
• Export Customs Declaration
• Packing List

Hard copies are not needed — all documents are submitted and processed digitally.

Transit Cargo: Important Double-Certificate Rule

If your cargo is transiting through Cotonou to a landlocked country, you will need two separate certificates:

• A Benin BESC for the Cotonou port call
• The destination country’s certificate (e.g., Burkina Faso ECTN/URN or Niger BSC)

These are separate applications and separate fees. Do not assume one covers both — they don’t.

Processing Time

Allow approximately one week from document submission to final validated certificate. In practice, the draft certificate is issued within a few days once all documents are confirmed as accurate and consistent. The final validation step goes through the Cotonou authorities.

Submit your documents well ahead of the vessel’s estimated departure — Benin does not accommodate last-minute applications well.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Cargo arriving at Cotonou without a valid BESC faces:

• Fines — including a penalty of 50,000 CFA francs per vehicle for RORO shipments arriving without an ECTN
• Correction charges — amendments after validation are capped at 100 EUR or 20% of the original certificate price
• Cargo detention — clearance is blocked until proper documentation is in place
• Demurrage and storage costs — which accumulate quickly at Cotonou

The shipper or exporter at the port of origin bears full responsibility for obtaining the BESC before departure.

Containerised Vehicle Shipments

If you are shipping vehicles in containers, the container references must appear on the Bill of Lading. Missing container numbers on the B/L is a common cause of application rejection or amendment fees — make sure the documents are complete before submitting.

What Products Cannot Be Imported Into Benin?

Standard West African import restrictions apply:

• Animals and animal by-products from areas affected by epizootic diseases
• Plants from areas affected by epiphytic diseases
• Certain distilled and spirituous beverages
• Pornographic materials and gambling equipment

We do not issue BESC certificates for prohibited goods of any kind.

Benin Trade — Key Figures

Cotonou handles significant re-export and transit trade, with a large proportion of cargo destined for Niger, Burkina Faso, and other landlocked neighbours. Benin’s annual import volume runs at approximately 3.5 billion USD, with major goods including machinery, vehicles, petroleum products, and foodstuffs. China, France, and India are among the primary trading partners.

FAQ

Is the BESC the same as an ECTN? Yes. The terms are used interchangeably. BESC is the French-language name; ECTN is the English equivalent. They refer to the same certificate.

Do transit shipments need a BESC? Yes. If your cargo is being discharged at Cotonou before moving inland, a Benin BESC is required regardless of the final destination. You’ll also need the destination country’s certificate separately.

When do I need to apply? Before the vessel departs the port of loading. Do not wait until the ship has sailed — the BESC must be in place, with the number on the Bill of Lading, before departure.

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