Ivory Coast BSC Certificate

Ivory Coast BSC — What It Is and Why It’s Required

All ocean freight shipments destined for Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire) require a BSC (Booking Statistic Certificate), sometimes also referred to as a cargo tracking certificate. The certificate is mandatory for cargo arriving at Abidjan (the main commercial port) and San Pedro (the cocoa export port in the west). It also applies to transit cargo moving through Ivory Coast to landlocked destinations such as Mali.

Abidjan is one of West Africa’s most active container ports and serves as the economic hub of the francophone West African region. The BSC requirement is part of Ivory Coast’s customs pre-clearance system, providing authorities with advance cargo information and enabling more efficient port operations.

Required Documents

To obtain an Ivory Coast BSC, submit clear PDF copies of:

• Bill of Lading — House BL (HBL) is required for LCL shipments; the consignee must be registered in the Ivory Coast system
• Commercial Invoice — must be issued to the final consignee, clearly stating the Incoterm and showing FOB value and freight cost separately
• Freight Invoice — required if freight value is not broken out on the commercial invoice
• Export Customs Declaration — all details must align with other submitted documents
• Local Insurance Certificate — a certificate issued locally in Ivory Coast, obtained by the importer from local authorities; required regardless of shipment type, and must show matching gross weight and vessel details
• Import Declaration Form (FDI) — required for all shipment types

The FDI and local insurance certificate are obtained by the importer in Ivory Coast — make sure your consignee is aware of these requirements well ahead of the vessel’s arrival.

Processing Time

Plan for approximately one week from document submission to final validated certificate. A draft is typically issued within a few days, with final validation following after all documents — including the importer-side documentation — are confirmed complete and consistent.

One BSC certificate is issued per Bill of Lading, in digital format.

Transit Cargo for Mali

If your cargo is transiting through Abidjan to Mali, no additional Ivory Coast BSC is required for the Mali leg — the Ivory Coast BSC covers transit shipments to Mali when Abidjan is the discharge port. However, a separate Mali BESC will still be required for the inland customs clearance.

This is an important distinction: other West African ports (Cotonou, Lomé, Dakar, Conakry) do NOT offer this transit exemption — only Abidjan and Tema (Ghana) do for Mali-bound shipments.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

• Financial fines at the port of discharge for cargo arriving without valid BSC documentation
• Cargo detention — clearance will not proceed until documentation is resolved
• Demurrage and storage charges — which accumulate quickly at Abidjan’s busy port
• Amendment fees — any changes to a validated certificate incur additional charges

The shipper at the port of loading bears responsibility for obtaining the BSC before the vessel departs.

What Products Cannot Be Imported Into Ivory Coast?

Standard West African customs restrictions apply:

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

We do not issue BSC certificates for prohibited goods.

Ivory Coast Trade — Key Figures

Ivory Coast is West Africa’s largest economy and the world’s leading cocoa producer. The country’s import volume runs at approximately 10 billion USD annually, with major imports including petroleum products, machinery, vehicles, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods. Abidjan handles the large majority of Côte d’Ivoire’s container traffic and has significant transshipment volumes for the broader region. Primary trading partners include France, China, Nigeria, and the Netherlands.

FAQ

What is the BSC for Ivory Coast? The BSC (Booking Statistic Certificate) is the mandatory cargo tracking document for all sea freight arriving in Ivory Coast. It must be validated before the vessel departs and the number must appear on the Bill of Lading.

Does my cargo to Mali need a BSC if shipped via Abidjan? You’ll need the Ivory Coast BSC for the Abidjan port call and a separate Mali BESC for the inland customs clearance. But you don’t need an additional “transit” certificate — the Ivory Coast BSC covers the transit through Abidjan.

Who gets the FDI and insurance certificate? Your importer in Ivory Coast. These are documents obtained locally within the country. Make sure your consignee is aware they need to supply these before your vessel arrives.

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