Overview
The BESC — Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des Cargaisons — is the electronic cargo tracking note required for sea shipments to Liberia, which discharge at Monrovia. It ties the shipper, consignee, cargo and freight values on your Bill of Lading to a single reference that customs can reconcile before the cargo is worked. Filing deadline: Before the vessel sails (14-day grace from the sailing date since 16 May 2026). Cargo that only passes through on its way to a landlocked neighbour is treated as in-transit and still needs a certificate, so the routing has to be documented from the start.
Discharge ports
Required documents
Official BESC Document Sample
Verify the layout, stamps, and BESC customs format of a validated Liberia loading certificate:
Application process
- 1SubmitSend your Bill of Lading and Commercial Invoice, with the Freight Invoice if freight is not shown on the commercial invoice.
- 2Draft & invoiceWe prepare a draft certificate and a fixed-price invoice within 1 hour on average.
- 3ApproveYou review the draft and confirm every detail before anything is filed.
- 4PaymentThe fixed-price invoice is settled so the file can go forward for validation.
- 5ValidateThe certificate is validated and the final BESC number is confirmed.
Timeline
| Step | Duration |
|---|---|
| Submit documents | Your action |
| Draft & invoice | 1 hour on average |
| Approve draft | Your action |
| Payment | Your action |
Special rules & HS codes
Rule 1
The BESC number is issued at validation, so it cannot be supplied in advance.
Rule 2
The BESC (CTN) number must appear on the Bill of Lading and in the cargo manifest; carriers do not load cargo without a valid number.
Official sources
Official Liberia CTN (BESC) sources
The Liberia cargo tracking note is implemented by the National Port Authority (NPA).
- U.S. International Trade Administration: Liberia import requirements (NPA cargo tracking note system)
- AJOT: carrier notice on the Liberia cargo tracking note taking effect in 2019
accessed
Top 3 causes of Liberia CTN rejection
- CTN number missing on the cargo description of the BL.
- Commercial invoice does not show the FOB value, freight value, and insurance breakdown.
- Mismatch in the number of packages or total weight between the BL and packing list.
Specific questions: Liberia
Is the Liberia CTN the same as the Liberia BESC?
Yes. The certificate is printed as a BESC; shippers and carriers also call it the Liberia CTN (Cargo Tracking Note) or ACD (Advance Cargo Declaration). It is one document per Bill of Lading.
Who requires the Liberia CTN?
The National Port Authority (NPA) of Liberia implements the cargo tracking note system. Shipments without a valid number are not loaded or discharged, and fines may apply under NPA regulations.
What happens if the vessel sails without a Liberia CTN?
Since 16 May 2026 a shipment that sails without one has a 14-day grace period from the sailing date. After that, non-compliance penalties apply.
How are machinery and large trucks on flat racks charged?
Earth-moving machinery and large trucks shipped on flat racks are invoiced under the Roll-On/Roll-Off (RoRo) tariff, not the container tariff. Declare the cargo type correctly in the application.
Latest updates: Liberia
CMA CGM shipping line notice requiring validated BESC certificates for all shipments to or through Liberia, effective January 1, 2019.
Updated Liberia CTN regulations effective May 16, 2026 impose amendment charges and non-compliance penalties for late submissions.
Earth-moving machinery and large trucks shipped to Liberia on flat racks are invoiced under Roll-On/Roll-Off (RORO) tariffs rather than containerized cargo tariffs.
Frequently asked questions
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