A regulatory update has been issued for cargo moving in transit through Cameroon toward Chad and the Central African Republic.
Is a BESC required for transit through Cameroon?
Yes. Effective 1 January 2026, the Cameroonian authorities require a BESC certificate for shipments transiting through Cameroon. Transit cargo moving without a valid BESC may face delays, penalties, or rejection by local authorities. Two corridors are exempt from that requirement — see below.
Transit BESC Exemption
Until further notice, a Cameroon BESC will not be required for transit shipments using either of these trade corridors:
- Douala to N'Djamena, Chad
- Douala to Bangui, Central African Republic
Cargo routed through Douala for onward transport to these destinations may proceed without obtaining an additional Cameroon transit BESC.
Important Clarification
This exemption is limited to transit movements via the Douala-N'Djamena and Douala-Bangui corridors. All shipments destined for Cameroon, Chad, or the Central African Republic must still comply with applicable BESC/ECTN certification requirements.
For route-specific confirmation before dispatch, share your shipment details with the documentation team.
Official sources
Official Cameroon BESC sources
The Cameroon BESC is issued under the Cameroon National Shippers’ Council (CNCC).
- Cameroon Tribune (18 Jun 2026): CNCC suspends the BESC for transit goods (communiqué of 15 June 2026)
- Journal du Cameroun (22 Sep 2026): export BESC late-submission window extended to 15 days
accessed
Top 3 causes of Cameroon BESC rejection
- Missing or blurred SGS certification stamp on the Commercial Invoice.
- Missing freight breakdown (sea freight value must be clearly declared separately).
- Incorrect HS Code (must be 4 to 8 digits matching Cameroon customs tariffs).
Case study: Cameroon BESC: The 48-Hour Rule and What a One-Day Delay Really Costs
Official BESC Document Sample
Verify the layout, stamps, and BESC customs format of a validated Cameroon loading certificate:
