Last updated: March 2026

A Benin BESC certificate (Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des Cargaisons) is a mandatory shipping document required for all sea cargo shipped to Benin, including cargo in transit. Enacted in 2006 by the Benin Council of Ministers, the regulation was originally managed by the National Shippers’ Council of Benin (CNCB). Control later transferred to the Autonomous Port of Cotonou (PAC) per order N° 019 of October 20, 2021. Without a valid BESC, cargo faces substantial penalties and clearance delays at Cotonou.

We provide Benin BESC certificates toUnited States .

Benin’s Port of Cotonou handles over 90% of the country’s international trade and serves as a major transit hub for landlocked West African nations including Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see our detailed guide to getting a Benin BESC.

    Fill the Form for a Free Quotation

      Fill the Form for a Free Quotation

      Table of Contents

      What is Benin BESC?

      BESC stands for “Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des Cargaisons” (Electronic Cargo Tracking Note, ECTN). Authorities require this certificate to track, manage, supervise, and verify cargo before loading. The certificate includes information about the exporter, importer, goods’ value and quantity, vessel name, and related details.

      The BESC is part of a family of cargo tracking certificates used across Africa. Different countries use different names for the same type of certificate — for example, it’s called BSC in Senegal and Ivory Coast, FERI in DR Congo, and CTN generically. Learn more about what a CTN certificate is and why it matters.

      Required Documents

      • Bill of Lading: Contains exporter, importer, goods weight, shipping line, vessel name details.
      • Commercial Invoice: Includes goods details, freight cost, incoterm, and other charges.
      • Freight Invoice: Required only if freight cost isn’t on the commercial invoice.
      • Export Customs Declaration: Prepared by the exporter country’s Customs Officials; lists transported goods with detailed descriptions.
      • Packing List: Contains goods details, especially total weight.

      Make sure all documents are accurate and complete before submission. See our guide on the top 20 mistakes to avoid when getting a CTN to prevent costly errors.

      Consequences of Not Having an ECTN

      Certification must be validated five days before consignment arrival. Failure results in cargo delays and penalties. The penalty comprises substantial regulatory charges determined by the Port Autonome de Cotonou (PAC), levied on cargo owners.

      Benin is a critical transit hub for landlocked West African countries — delays at Cotonou can have cascading effects on supply chains reaching Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali. Learn more about why outsourcing your CTN to an experienced provider helps avoid these risks.

      Important Notice

      For vehicles inside containers, the cargo type should be “container” when container numbers are clearly mentioned on documents. Include the chassis number of vehicles in the goods description field. Vehicles not loaded in containers should use cargo type “RoRo“.

      Pricing

      Certificate cost depends on the number of Bill of Ladings and the containers, country of origin, port of discharge, and other factors. If you share your shipment’s details with us we can provide you the best charges for your certificate. We offer free quotations — contact us or see our pricing page for more details. We provide draft certificates within 24 hours.

      Get Free Quotation

      Ports in Benin Requiring BESC

      All ports in Benin require a BESC certificate. The Port of Cotonou is the country’s largest port, handling approximately $4.5 billion in trade annually (Source: World Bank). The major ports include:

      1. Port of Cotonou: The largest and busiest port in Benin, serving as the major international trade gateway. It also serves as the primary transit port for landlocked countries like Niger and Burkina Faso.
      2. Port of Cotonou-Akpro-Missérété: An extension of Port of Cotonou, dedicated to container handling.
      3. Port of Porto-Novo: Important transportation hub handling cargo for eastern regions.
      4. Port of Parakou: River port on the Niger River, facilitates trade for northern regions.
      5. Port of Porga: Near the Niger border, key entry point for cross-border trade.

      Frequently Asked Questions

      Do I need a waiver certificate for Nigeria in transit via Benin?

      If you are using Benin as a transit point for Nigeria, it is necessary to obtain a BESC certificate specifically for Benin. Without the proper BESC certification, your goods will not be cleared. Contact us to know if your goods are exempted.

      Is it possible to use the same BESC number for multiple shipments?

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

      What sort of information is required for Benin BESC application?

      The application usually requires details such as the shipper and consignee information, description of the goods, its origin, destination, and transport details.

      What’s the validity of Benin BESC?

      The validity of Benin BESC depends on the duration of your transit through Benin. It is typically valid for the duration of the transit plus a buffer period.

      Get Free Quotation

      Benin borders several countries that require their own cargo tracking certificates:

      • Togo CTN — neighboring country, alternative transit route for landlocked countries
      • Burkina Faso ECTN — landlocked, often transits via Cotonou
      • Niger BSC — landlocked, transits through Benin
      • Nigeria ICTN — neighboring country to the east

      Learn about all the different names of ECTN by country or read our guide on how to choose the right CTN service provider.

      Partners and Affiliates