Liberia
Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des Cargaisons
BESCElectronic cargo tracking note, validated before loading
Shipments to Liberia need a BESC (Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des Cargaisons).
Who applies?
The shipper or the freight forwarder files it.
How long does it take?
Draft the same day once the application is complete.
Liberia BESC guide
Who runs it, where the cargo discharges, and the rules your file is checked against.
- Issuing body
- National Port Authority of Liberia / LPRC
- Port of discharge
- Monrovia
Rules to know
- The BESC number is issued at validation, so it cannot be given in advance.
- The authority does not require the BESC number on the master bill of lading, but some carriers ask for it.
Documents to prepare for Liberia
Tick what you already have. Send them when the list is complete, or send what you have now and we tell you what is missing.
List from our operations team, updated 4 August 2026.
Before you apply
Send your documents, we check them first
Upload the draft bill of lading or invoice. We check the details the BESC needs and tell you what to fix before anything is filed.
- Your files go only to our certificate team.
- You decide whether to apply after our reply.
In 2018, Liberian Customs Officials implemented a new regulation making the CTN certificate mandatory for all sea cargo to Liberia. Without this certificate, there will be severe consequences and penalties. For cargo transiting through Liberia, in some cases, this certificate is not required. The CTN is obligatory for all ports in Liberia, including Greenville, Monrovia, and others.
One might think that a certificate this crucial would not be overlooked. However, it’s not uncommon for people to be penalized for lacking this mandatory certificate.
What is Liberia CTN?
CTN, short for Cargo Tracking Note, is a term that clearly describes its purpose. This certificate enables authorities to track, manage, and supervise all cargo from loading to discharge. Additionally, it provides information about shipments even before they reach their destination. The CTN document includes details about the exporter, the importer, specifics of the goods being transported and their value, the cost of the freight, the type of shipment, the name of the vessel, and more.
What are the required documents?
There are 3-4 required documents for the process that you can find in the following:
- Bill of Lading: It is a document that provides information about the exporter, the importer, the weight of the goods, the shipping line, the vessel name, etc.
- Commercial Invoice: It contains details of the goods, the freight cost, the incoterm, and some other charges if there is any, etc.
- Freight Invoice: It is a document only necessary if the freight cost isn’t on the commercial invoice.
- Export Customs Declaration: This is a document that is prepared by the Customs Officials of the exporter country. It includes details about the goods getting transported and has a detailed description of them.
For commercial cargo, the Tax Reference ID of the importer is also necessary.
What are the consequences of not having this certificate?
The CTN certificate must be obtained at least five days before the vessel’s arrival at the destination port. Failure to do so will result in a fine equal to twice the amount of the CTN, plus a regulation fee as determined by the Liberian National Port Officials.
Pricing
Certificate cost depends on the number of Bill of Ladings and the containers, the country of origin, the port of discharge, etc. This is why we can’t give you an exact price for the CTN. But if you share your shipment’s details with us we can send you an exact quote for your certificate. We offer free quotation.
How long does it take to get Liberia CTN certificate?
We provide draft Liberia CTN certificate the same day. We provide certificates to exporters/importers all over the World.
Which ports in Liberia require (cargo waiver) CTN certificate?
All ports require CTN certificate in Liberia, including the following:
- Freeport of Monrovia
- Port of Buchanan
- Port of Greenville
- Port of Harper
Which countries are the biggest exporters to Liberia?
- China
- United States
- India
- Belgium
- Germany
- Netherlands
- United Kingdom
- France
- South Africa
- Brazil
- Malaysia
- United Arab Emirates
- Italy
- Turkey
- Canada
- Japan
- Spain
- Switzerland
- Saudi Arabia
- Australia
Memberships and certifications
Membership
Certifications
- ISO 9001:2015Quality management
- ISO 14001Environmental management
- ISO/IEC 27001Information security management
Updates for Liberia
- BESCLiberia: charges for BESC amendments and penalties for late BESCsFrom 16 May 2026, any change made to a Liberia BESC application after it has been submitted is charged, and may also be penalised.
- BESCLiberia: RoRo rates for machinery and large trucks on flat racksLiberian authorities now charge earth-moving machinery and large trucks loaded on flat racks at RoRo rates, not container rates.
