Ivory Coast BSC Comprehensive Guide

Last Updated: March 13, 2026

The Ivory Coast BSC Certificate is required for all ocean shipments destined for Ivory Coast (also known as Côte d’Ivoire). It is obtained through AfricaCTN, a Global ECTN Provider.

For additional inquiries please contact us at info@africactn.com.


Getting Started

Responsibility

It is the responsibility of the shipper or freight forwarder to obtain the validated BSC and provide it to the importer.

Validation Deadline

The BSC Certificate must be validated prior to vessel arrival in the discharge port.

Key Information

In Transit Shipments

In transit refers to a shipment that discharges in one country and its final destination is in another country.

  • Ivory Coast does not require the BSC for in transit shipments

Common discharge ports for these shipments include:

  • Abidjan
  • San Pedro

Required Documents

  • Bill of Lading
  • Commercial Invoice
  • Freight Invoice
  • Export Declaration or Customs Declaration
  • Packing List
  • FDI (Import License)
  • Certificate of Origin
  • Certificate of Insurance

Application Process

First, you must gather digital copies of the required documents as mentioned above. Then you can proceed with the application process:

  1. Submit: Send all the necessary documents to AfricaCTN via email or online
  2. Draft & Invoice: You will receive a draft copy of your ECTN and invoice
  3. Approve: Check and confirm all details on the draft ECTN
  4. Pay: Make payment of the invoice so validation can begin
  5. Final Validation: Receive your final validated ECTN ready for customs clearance

Validation & Approval Process

Validation of a BSC certificate is the process in which the certificate moves from a draft copy to a final copy. In order to begin validation two things must happen:

  • Approval: The customer must check and confirm all details on the draft copy, ensure they match the shipping documents provided and notify AfricaCTN that the draft has been approved.
  • Payment: The invoice must be paid before validation can begin.

Once these two steps are complete, AfricaCTN will release the final validated BSC certificate ready for customs clearance.


Timeline

Step of the ProcessHow Long it Takes
1. Submit Customer Action
2. Draft & Invoice 2-4 business hours
3. Approve Customer Action
4. Pay Customer Action
5. Final Validation 24-48 business hours

Special Cases & Regulations

There are no special cases or regulations for Ivory Coast BSC.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who needs an Ivory Coast BSC Certificate?

All shippers and freight forwarders sending ocean freight to Ivory Coast will require a BSC for their shipment.