Madagascar BSC Certificate

Madagascar BSC — What It Is and Why It’s Required

All ocean freight shipments destined for Madagascar with a value exceeding 100 EUR require a BSC (Cargo Tracking Note / Bordereau de Suivi de Cargaison). The BSC must be obtained before the vessel arrives in Madagascar’s customs territory, with the application submitted at least 5 days before vessel arrival and the certificate obtained at least 3 days before the customs declaration is submitted.

Toamasina (also known as Tamatave) is Madagascar’s primary commercial port, handling the majority of the country’s container traffic. Mahajanga, Antsiranana (Diego-Suarez), and Toliary serve as secondary ports. The BSC requirement was introduced to give Madagascar customs advance cargo information and improve port efficiency.

Important: Cargo Returned to Origin for Non-Compliance

Madagascar’s penalty for non-compliance is particularly severe: cargo arriving without a valid BSC will be returned to its origin. This is not a fine or a temporary hold — it’s a cargo return order. Factor this into your shipment planning. There is no grace period and no workaround at the destination.

Required Documents

To obtain a Madagascar BSC, submit clear PDF copies of:

• Bill of Lading — draft copy accepted initially; original required for final validation
• Commercial Invoice — must be issued to the final consignee’s name, include Incoterms, payment terms, HS codes, and the country of origin for each item
• Freight Invoice — required if freight cost is not shown on the commercial invoice
• Packing List — must include gross and net weights per container with container numbers and shipper/consignee contact details
• Customs Declaration

Note on importer registration: All importers and exporters must be registered on the Malagasy platform before the BSC can be issued. Make sure your consignee has completed this registration ahead of your first shipment.

Processing Time — Apply Early

Draft certificate: issued within 1 working day if all documents are complete and coherent. Final validation: approximately 1 week through the main office in Antananarivo.

Given the 5-day-before-arrival submission requirement, calculate backwards from your vessel’s ETA to Madagascar and ensure you’ve started the process in time.

No Amendments After Validation

Once a Madagascar BSC has been validated, it cannot be revised. Each shipment requires its own unique BSC number — the same number cannot be used for multiple shipments or Bills of Lading.

Ensure all documents are in their final, accurate form before submitting. Submit only once you are certain no changes will be required.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

• Cargo returned to origin — the primary and most severe consequence; Madagascar will not accept cargo without a valid BSC
• Customs rejection at the port of discharge
• No option to resolve the situation locally — the cargo must go back

This makes Madagascar one of the strictest enforcement markets in Africa. There is no in-country resolution path for missing BSC documentation.

What Products Cannot Be Imported Into Madagascar?

Standard import restrictions apply:

• Animals and animal by-products from areas with active epizootic diseases
• Plants from areas affected by epiphytic diseases
• Certain restricted chemicals and pharmaceuticals without proper authorisation
• Pornographic materials and gambling equipment

We do not issue BSC certificates for prohibited goods.

Madagascar Trade — Key Figures

Madagascar is a large island nation with a diverse economy. Key exports include vanilla, seafood, cloves, and mining products. Import volume runs at approximately 3 billion USD annually. Key imports include machinery, vehicles, petroleum products, food, and consumer goods. China, India, France, and the UAE are major trading partners. Toamasina port handles approximately 70% of the country’s container traffic and has undergone significant infrastructure investment in recent years.

FAQ

What is the cargo return policy for missing BSCs? Cargo arriving without a valid BSC will be ordered returned to its origin — not fined, not held temporarily. This is Madagascar’s standard enforcement action and makes the BSC one of the most critical documents to get right.

My importer isn’t registered on the Malagasy platform — what happens? The BSC cannot be issued without importer registration. Ensure your consignee completes this registration before your first shipment. Contact us if you need guidance on the registration process.

Is there a minimum shipment value for the BSC? Shipments valued under 100 EUR are exempt. All commercial shipments above this threshold require a BSC.

Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +971 56 470 4833