Sierra Leone ENS/BSC Certificate

Sierra Leone ENS — What It Is and Why It’s Required

Since 2015, all shipments to Sierra Leone must carry an ENS (Entry Number for Shipment) — also referred to as a CTN (Cargo Tracking Note) or BSC (Bordereau de Suivi de Cargaison). The certificate must be verified and in place no later than five days before the vessel arrives at the port of discharge.

Freetown is Sierra Leone’s capital and primary commercial port (Queen Elizabeth II Quay). It handles the country’s direct imports and a small volume of transit cargo. The ENS/BSC requirement is part of Sierra Leone’s pre-arrival cargo management system, designed to give port authorities advance cargo information and support efficient customs processing.

Required Documents

To obtain a Sierra Leone ENS/BSC, submit clear PDF copies of:

• Bill of Lading — draft copy accepted initially; original required for final approval and Freetown authority submission
• Commercial Invoice — must show accurate cargo value
• Freight Invoice — required if freight cost is not shown on the commercial invoice

Beyond documents, the following additional information is required:

• Shipper’s phone number and email address
• Consignee’s phone number and email address
• Notify party’s phone number and email address
• Tax identification number (NIF) for all parties

This contact and tax ID information is a Sierra Leone-specific requirement — more detailed than most African markets. Make sure you have this from your customer before submitting.

Processing Time

Draft certificates are typically issued on the same day if all documents and contact information are complete. Final approval involves submission to Freetown authorities and generally takes a few days to up to one week.

The 5-day-before-arrival deadline is non-negotiable. Calculate from your vessel’s ETA and start the process early enough to meet this window comfortably.

Penalties for Non-Compliance — Doubled Fees

Sierra Leone’s penalty structure is particularly notable:

• Doubled fees — non-compliant cargo faces double the standard certificate fee, plus additional charges determined by Sierra Leone’s port authorities
• Cargo detention until proper documentation is presented
• Demurrage and storage charges accumulating during any hold period

The doubling of fees makes non-compliance expensive. The cost of getting the ENS/BSC right first time is a fraction of the penalty for missing it.

No Modifications After Approval

Once a Sierra Leone ENS/BSC has been approved and submitted to Freetown port authorities, it cannot be modified under any circumstances. Ensure all document details — cargo description, weights, shipper and consignee details, container numbers — are completely accurate before submission.

What Products Cannot Be Imported Into Sierra Leone?

Standard West African import 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 ENS/BSC certificates for prohibited goods.

Sierra Leone Trade — Key Figures

Sierra Leone is an emerging economy with significant mineral resources, including diamonds, iron ore, bauxite, and rutile. Import volume runs at approximately 1.5 billion USD annually. Key imports include food products, machinery, fuel, vehicles, and pharmaceuticals. China, India, the UAE, and European countries are major trading partners. Freetown port is the sole commercial maritime gateway and has been the subject of infrastructure investment as the country’s trade volumes continue to grow.

FAQ

What is the difference between the ENS and the BSC for Sierra Leone? They refer to the same certificate. ENS (Entry Number for Shipment) is the Sierra Leone-specific term; BSC (Bordereau de Suivi de Cargaison) is the French-language equivalent used in international shipping contexts. Both mean the same document.

Why does Sierra Leone need contact details and tax IDs? This is a Sierra Leone-specific authority requirement for their cargo tracking database. Having this information ready before you apply makes the process significantly faster.

What happens if the certificate is wrong after approval? Once submitted to Freetown authorities, no modifications are possible. If there are errors, you’ll need to work with port authorities at the destination — which is costly and time-consuming. Get it right first time.

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