🌍 43+ Years (Since 1983) — Africa Export, Import & Investment
+90 232 700 15 32 WA: +90 533 777 70 77 atc@atc.org.tr coidet.com
FOREIGN TRADE GUIDE #8 — SINCE 1983

What is BESC / ECTN Certificate and How to Obtain It? Mandatory African Shipping Waivers

Complete legal requirements, document checklists, and ATC express validation process for mandatory African Electronic Cargo Tracking Notes (BESC / ECTN / FERI) prior to vessel departure.

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1. What is BESC / ECTN? Core Purpose & Overview

BESC (Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des Cargaisons) and ECTN (Electronic Cargo Tracking Note) are mandatory maritime certificates required by maritime authorities across West and Central African nations. It serves to pre-clear shipments, track origin and destination cargo, verify valuation, and ensure maritime security. Depending on the country, it is known as BSC in Ivory Coast, BIETC in Gabon, FERI in DR Congo, and ARCCLA in Angola.

2. Mandatory Countries & Application Documents

  • Mandatory Destinations: Senegal, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Angola, Benin, Togo, DR Congo, Republic of Congo, Guinea, Madagascar, and landlocked transit nations (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger).
  • Bill of Lading (Draft or Final B/L): Detailing container numbers, seals, vessel name, and voyage.
  • Commercial Invoice: Clear itemized descriptions, HS codes, currency, and Incoterm terms.
  • Freight Invoice: Required for FOB transactions to verify ocean freight charges.
  • Certificate of Origin: Chamber of Commerce validated origin proof.

3. Penalties & ATC Express Issuance Desk

Containers arriving without a validated BESC/ECTN number on the manifest face severe customs penalties (often exceeding 100% of freight costs) and prolonged demurrage. A.T.C. Africa Trade Center validates your African waivers within 24 to 48 hours directly via official carrier and shipper council portals.

Partner with A.T.C. Africa Trade Center (Since 1983)

With 3 branches in Turkey, 5 main hubs in Africa (Ghana, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Ivory Coast, DR Congo), 4 offices in Europe, and 89 distributorships across 25 countries, we provide direct export, raw material import, investment consulting, and supporting container logistics.

Foreign Trade Guides & Tools

Direct Foreign Trade Desk

Tel: +90 232 700 15 32
GSM / WA 1: +90 533 777 70 77
WA 2 (Landline): +90 232 700 15 32
E-Mail: atc@atc.org.tr

WhatsApp: +90 533 777 70 77
Knowledge & Insights

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions and expert answers regarding African trade, ocean freight, BESC certification, and port clearance procedures.

Since 1983, ATC has provided turnkey foreign trade consulting, container shipping (FCL/LCL), express air freight, and commercial agency across 24 West, Central, and Southern African nations, notably Senegal, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Angola, and The Gambia.

BESC (Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des Cargaisons) or ECTN (Electronic Cargo Tracking Note) is a mandatory customs tracking certificate required by African port authorities prior to vessel departure. Cargo cannot clear customs without it. ATC processes and validates all tracking certificates within 24 hours.

From main Turkish ports (Izmir, Istanbul, Mersin), container transit to West African ports (Dakar, Tema, Abidjan) takes an average of 18 to 26 days. Transit to Central and Southern African ports (Douala, Pointe-Noire, Luanda) ranges between 25 and 35 days.

The most secure payment methods are Confirmed Irrevocable Letters of Credit (Confirmed L/C) and advance wire transfer (Advance T/T). With 43+ years of local presence, ATC verifies buyer credibility and bank solvency to eliminate non-payment risks.

Yes. For shipments that do not fill a full container, we provide secure LCL consolidation billed per cubic meter (CBM). For urgent samples and high-priority goods, our Istanbul-based Express Air Cargo delivers door-to-airport within 2 to 4 business days.

African Export, Import & Investment Leader Since 1983

Take a Secure and Fast Step into African Markets

Contact our foreign trade desk directly for export product pricing (coidet.com), African raw material imports, container freight rates, and mandatory BESC/ECTN waivers.

WA 1: +90 533 777 70 77 WA 2: +90 232 700 15 32 Get Product & Freight Quote Catalog: www.coidet.com Tel: +90 232 700 15 32
✉️ atc@atc.org.tr | 📠 Fax: +90 232 700 29 75 | 🌐 www.coidet.com
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