ECTN for Indian Exports to Cameroon: BESC Documents and Deadlines

The Cameroon BESC is a mandatory cargo tracking document for ocean shipments exported from India with a final destination in Cameroon. It is commonly called an ECTN, CTN or waiver certificate, but the official name used in Cameroon is BESC — Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des Cargaisons.

The Indian exporter or freight forwarder should arrange the BESC before the vessel arrives in Cameroon. Without a validated certificate, the shipment may face customs clearance delays, storage charges and late-processing penalties at the destination port.

To obtain the BESC, you will normally need the bill of lading, commercial invoice, freight details and information supplied by the Cameroonian consignee. The complete country rules are available in the Cameroon BESC requirements guide.

Is a BESC Required for Shipments From India?

Yes. The loading country does not remove the Cameroon requirement.

A shipment loading at Mundra, Nhava Sheva, Chennai, Kolkata, Cochin or another Indian port will require a BESC when Cameroon is the final destination. The certificate is linked to the shipment details, vessel, cargo and bill of lading.

The exporter may ask the freight forwarder to handle the application, but responsibility should be agreed early. Leaving the BESC entirely to the importer can create problems because several documents must come from the exporter, carrier or Indian freight forwarder.

Documents Required for a Cameroon BESC

Indian exporters should prepare the following documents and information.

Bill of Lading

A draft bill of lading can normally be used to start the application. It should show:

• Shipper, consignee and notify party
• Vessel and voyage
• Indian port of loading
• Cameroon port of discharge
• Container and seal numbers
• Cargo description
• Package quantity
• Gross weight and volume

The supporting documents should match the bill of lading. A difference in the consignee name, cargo weight or package count can delay validation.

Commercial Invoice

The commercial invoice must show the seller, buyer, goods description, quantity, value, currency and Incoterm.

Descriptions such as “general goods,” “parts” or “equipment” may be too broad when the other shipping documents contain a more detailed description. Use consistent wording across the invoice and bill of lading.

Freight Invoice

The freight invoice shows the ocean freight amount charged by the carrier, NVOCC or freight forwarder.

A separate freight invoice may not be required when the freight value is clearly stated on the commercial invoice. For FOB shipments, Indian exporters should obtain the freight amount from the party arranging the ocean transport.

Consignee’s NIU

The NIU is the Cameroonian consignee’s taxpayer identification number. It must come from the importer and should match the company registered in the Cameroon system.

Consignee’s PR Number

The PR number, sometimes described as the transaction number, links the importer to the individual shipment. A valid NIU without the correct PR number is not enough to complete the application.

The consignee should provide both numbers before the BESC request is started. A D.I. or SGS number may also be requested depending on the import transaction.

Cameroon BESC Deadline

Current guidance published by the Cameroon National Shippers’ Council states that an online import BESC should be submitted at least two days before the vessel arrives in Cameroon. When submitted within the required period, the authority states that validation is normally completed within 24 hours.

A late request may remain pending until the applicable penalty has been paid.

Do not treat two days as the recommended application window. That is the official cut-off, not a comfortable processing schedule.

AfricaCTN recommends sending the available documents several business days before the official deadline. Time is needed to prepare the draft, obtain missing consignee information, make corrections, approve the certificate and complete payment before final submission.

If the vessel is already on the water, send the documents immediately.

How Indian Exporters Can Get the BESC

The application can be completed online, so the exporter does not need to visit an office in India.

1. Submit Documents: Send AfricaCTN the bill of lading, commercial invoice, freight invoice or freight value, consignee NIU and PR number.
2. Receive Draft and Invoice: AfricaCTN reviews the documents and prepares the draft BESC and invoice.
3. Check the Draft: Confirm the vessel, ports, container details, weight, cargo description, invoice value and consignee information.
4. Approve and Pay: Approve the correct draft and pay the invoice so final validation can begin.
5. Receive Validation: The validated BESC is delivered electronically. No hard copy is normally required.

The full workflow is explained on the AfricaCTN application process page.

Important Note for Transit Cargo

This article covers shipments with a final destination in Cameroon.

On June 15, 2026, the Cameroon National Shippers’ Council announced that the BESC requirement for goods merely transiting Cameroon was suspended until further notice. Transit rules can change, so cargo moving through Cameroon to Chad, the Central African Republic or another destination should be checked separately before filing.

You can also review the broader AfricaCTN country requirements when the final destination is outside Cameroon.

Get Your Cameroon BESC

Send AfricaCTN your draft bill of lading, commercial invoice, freight invoice and the consignee’s NIU and PR number. Our team will review the shipment, prepare the draft BESC and help complete validation before the vessel reaches Cameroon.

If the cargo has already departed India or the arrival deadline is close, submit the documents as soon as possible.