Benin BESC

If you are using Benin as a transit point for Nigeria, you need to get a BESC certificate for Benin. Your goods could not be cleared at any port without BESC certification.

To the attention of all shippers, freight forwarders, and economic actors: It has been brought to our attention that authorities are discontent with Benin BESC validations in Port Autonome de Cotonou, with extra charges of 50.000 FCFA. This attitude is against the rules and regulations. Please be reminded that all ECTNs must be issued and validated at the port of loading.

INSTRUCTIONS for the Benin BESC certificate are as follows:

• The Charger, BEFORE loading cargo, must request the BESC waiver certificate.
• All BESC must be validated NO LATER THAN 5 DAYS AFTER the voyage departed.
• Failing to submit the BSC certificate will lead to the cargo not getting custom clearance and being returned to the origin.
• If the Transporter loads a cargo towards Benin without a draft BIETC reference number, he will receive a penalty of 100% of the Freight manifest value for not complying with the Benin law. Click the link for more information and to Apply for Benin BESC.

No, BESC is unique and reserved only for one shipment. Every shipment must have a validated BESC number.

No. Benin BESC certificate number is not required to show on the Bill of Lading.

For a consignment to Niger in transit through Benin, two separate certificates must be issued, for Benin and Niger.

GetCTN is an independent consulting firm that helps clients obtain CTN certificates in many African countries. It is an international company with offices in the USA, UK, and UAE, and its sole business is CTN certification; it is not a freight forwarder, importer, or exporter.

The hard copy of the certificate isn’t necessary at all. Instead, the whole process is completed online.

A bill of lading (BL or BoL) is a legal document issued by a carrier to a shipper that details the type, quantity, and destination of the goods being carried.

A commercial invoice is a required document for the export and import clearance process. It is sometimes used for foreign exchange purposes. In the buyer’s country, it is the document their customs officials use to assess import duties and taxes.