Comprehensive Guide

Madagascar BSC Certificate — The Complete Guide

Last updated: August 4, 2026

The BSC (Bordereau de Suivi des Cargaisons) is required for sea shipments to Madagascar, discharging at Toamasina, Majunga and Tulear. This guide covers the documents you need, how the filing runs, and the country-specific rules that decide whether the certificate validates on the first attempt.

Start your certificateSee the country rules

Overview

The BSC — Bordereau de Suivi des Cargaisons — is the electronic cargo tracking note required for sea shipments to Madagascar, which discharge at Toamasina, Majunga and Tulear. 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 deadlines differ by destination — some require the certificate before the vessel sails, others later — so we confirm the exact cut-off for your route before anything is filed.

Discharge ports

ToamasinaMajungaTulear

Required documents

Bill of Lading
Draft or final; weights, seals and discharge port must match the cargo.
Commercial Invoice
Goods and declared values as shipped.
Freight Invoice
Required when freight is not shown on the commercial invoice.
Export Customs Declaration
Packing List

Application process

  1. 1
    Submit
    Send your Bill of Lading and Commercial Invoice, with the Freight Invoice if freight is not shown on the commercial invoice.
  2. 2
    Draft & invoice
    We prepare a draft certificate and a fixed-price invoice within 3–6 hours.
  3. 3
    Approve
    You review the draft and confirm every detail before anything is filed.
  4. 4
    Payment
    The fixed-price invoice is settled so the file can go forward for validation.
  5. 5
    Validate
    The certificate is validated and the final BSC number is confirmed.

Timeline

StepDuration
Submit documentsYour action
Draft & invoice3–6 hours
Approve draftYour action
PaymentYour action

Special rules & HS codes

Rule 1

The BSC number can be supplied before validation.

Rule 2

Both the shipper and consignee must register on the Madagascar Site before a draft can be issued.

Rule 3

In Transit: Madagascar does not require the BSC if the shipment is in transit to a neighboring country.

Rule 4

This BSC number must be transmitted to the shipping line in order to obtain the final B/L.

Rule 5

Please raise a request for registration upfront by sending an email with all details of consignee/.

Frequently asked questions

The BSC — Bordereau de Suivi des Cargaisons — is the electronic cargo tracking note required for sea shipments to Madagascar, discharging at Toamasina, Majunga and Tulear.

Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice, Freight Invoice, Export Customs Declaration and Packing List.

Filing deadlines differ by destination — some require the certificate before the vessel sails, others later. We confirm the exact cut-off for your route before anything is filed.

A draft certificate and a fixed-price invoice come back within 3–6 hours of receiving your documents.

Ready to get your BSC?

Send your Bill of Lading and get your draft certificate today — fast, transparent, compliant.

30+ countries coveredValidated in hoursExpert compliance desk