To obtain a Liberia CTN for your shipment going to Monrovia, Liberia you will need the BL, commercial invoice and freight invoice.
This article will cover the list of required documents, why they are needed, common mistakes and how to avoid them.
List of Required Documents
Bill of Lading
The BL is the core document for all ECTN required countries. It contains shipment specific information such as:
- Shipper and Consignee name and address
- Notify party information
- Port of loading and discharge
- Container numbers and seal numbers
- Gross weight and volume
- Cargo description
- Packaging details
It is important that all supporting documentation matches the BL to prevent any BESC validation issues.
Commercial Invoice
The commercial invoice shows the value of the goods, information about the buyer and seller and other key details such as:
- Invoice number and date
- Currency
- Quantity sold
- Payment terms
Freight Invoice
The freight invoice is issued by the carrier or freight forwarder and will show the incoterm, cost of ocean freight and any other supplemental costs related to the movement of the cargo.
Export Declaration
The export declaration is issued by the government of the loading country. It can also be called the AES, EEI, EDI and other names. It is imperative for Liberia because without it the Liberian authorities will uplift the value of the goods as they deem necessary.
Why are These Documents Required
Liberian port authorities require the documents listed above in order to validate the BESC. They are required do ensure the port authorities have all the information necessary to clear your cargo without delays and penalties.
Common Document Errors
The most common document errors we see when filing for Liberia CTN is a mismatch of the value of goods between the commercial invoice and export declaration. Or the value listed on the commercial invoice is significantly under the market value of the goods in Liberia. In this case, the Liberia authorities will uplift the value to what they deem is appropriate.
Summary
The required documents for Liberia CTN are the BL, commercial invoice, freight invoice and export declaration. Submitting complete and accurate documents is critical for quick validation and avoiding costly delays.
For a complete overview and link to submit your BESC application, visit the full Liberia CTN guide here.
