Mali
Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des Cargaisons
BESCElectronic cargo tracking note, validated before loading
Shipments to Mali need a BESC (Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des Cargaisons). The BESC for Mali must be presented within 5 days of departure and at least 5 days before arrival: the earlier date applies.
When is it required?
The BESC for Mali must be presented within 5 days of departure and at least 5 days before arrival: the earlier date applies.
Who applies?
The shipper or the freight forwarder files it.
How long does it take?
Draft the same day once the application is complete.
Mali BESC guide
Who runs it, where the cargo discharges, and the rules your file is checked against.
- Issuing body
- Conseil Malien des Chargeurs (CMC)
- Port of discharge
- Bamako (dry port, via Dakar)
Rules to know
- The BESC is required even when the cargo is discharged in a neighbouring country.
- The authority does not require the BESC number on the master bill of lading, but some carriers ask for it.
Documents to prepare for Mali
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.
Mali implemented a new regulation in 2015. This new regulation stated that a BSC certificate must accompany all maritime cargo to Mali. And not having this certificate will cause severe consequences and an enormous penalty. Since Mali is a landlocked country all sea transports must be made through Senegal. But you only need a Mali BSC. Click here to find out more on transit shipments.
Despite being mandatory and crucial for the process, people often overlook this certificate.
What is Mali BSC?
BSC stands for Bordereau de Suivi des Cargaisons, which is French for Cargo Tracking Note or CTN for short. The name itself provides a clear indication of its purpose. It is a certificate utilized by authorities to track, manage, and supervise all cargos from loading to discharge. Additionally, it enables officials to obtain information about the shipments even before they arrive at the destination port. This includes details about the exporter, the importer, information about the transported goods and their value, the cost of the freight, the type of shipment, the name of the vessel, and more.
What are the required documents?
Here, you can find the BSC Certification requirements.
- Bill of Lading: This is a document that includes details 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: This is only required if the commercial invoice doesn’t include the freight cost.
What would be the consequences if it’s absent?
The BSC certificate must be presented five days after the departure of the vessel or five days before the ship arrives at the latest. If you don’t meet these requirements, you will be facing a fine twice the amount of the cost of the BSC certificate plus the regulation charge determined by the Mali National Shippers Council.
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.
Memberships and certifications
Membership
Certifications
- ISO 9001:2015Quality management
- ISO 14001Environmental management
- ISO/IEC 27001Information security management
