BESC / ACD Burkina Faso (Waiver) – Procedure and Regulations

📌 Official nomenclature

BESC (Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des Cargaisons – Burkina Faso)
Also known as:
ACD (Attestation de Chargement Définitif)

📄 Document type

It is a mandatory certificate for all cargo destined for Burkina Faso.

👉 The document is obtained by validating the Waiver:

  • Waiver validated = BESC / ACD issued

📌 Special feature:

  • ✔️ The number must must appear in the Bill of Lading (B/L)

🌍 Geographical particularity (very important)

⚠️ Burkina Faso is a landlocked country, so:

  • The BESC / ACD is mandatory for goods entering via transit ports such as:

    • Abidjan

    • Lomé

    • Theme

    • Cotonou

👉 Applies to both direct import and inland transits

👤 Who Should you process it?

  • The exporter (shipper) or his agent/freight forward

  • With information from the exporter and importer

👉 Responsibility:

  • Falls on the shipper

  • It is recommended to process it in origin

📑 Required documentation

🔹 To manage the Waiver:

  1. Copy of BL (Bill of Lading)

  2. Copy of the Commercial Invoice

  3. Copy of the DUA (Customs Export Document) or release

🔹 Complementary documentation (according to standard operation):

  1. Packing List

  2. Freight invoice (if not included in invoice commercial)

  3. Certificate of origin (if applicable)

  4. Complete importer data

🔹 For Waiver validation:

  • ✔️ BL final (NOT DRAFT)

👉 Key difference compared to Benin:

  • ❗ Can NOT be validated with BL draft

🕒 Deadlines

  • Must be managed before the ship leaves

  • Recommended:

    • ✅ Validation at least 7 days before arrival at destination

⚠️ Risks due to non-compliance:

  • Fines

  • Surcharges

  • Blockages in transit

⚠️ Regulations and operational rules

  • ✔️ It is mandatory to include the BESC / ACD number in the BL

  • ✔️ The number is provided when requesting the Waiver

  • ✔️ Validation only with BL end

⚠️ Operational note:

  • On some circuits it may be referenced as ECTN (operational equivalent)

  • ✔️ Also applicable to:

    • Inland transits to Burkina Faso

  • ✔️ Recommended to cast at origin

  • ✔️ Responsibility: shipper

❗ Consequences of not processing the BESC / ACD

  • Blocking cargo at port of entry (transit country)

  • Customs fines and surcharges

  • Delays in shipment to Burkina Faso

  • Risk of immobilization or rejection of the goods

✅ Key operational summary

  • Waiver validated = BESC / ACD issued

  • Responsible: Shipper

  • Process at origin (recommended)

📌 Key documentation:

  • BL

  • Commercial invoice

  • DUA / Levante

📌 Validation:

  • ❗ Requires Final BL (non-draft)

📌 Particularities:

  • ✔️ Landlocked country → mandatory in transits via African ports

  • ✔️ Mandatory number in BL

  • ✔️ Also known as ACD / ECTN (operational)

📌 Critical deadline:

  • ≥ 7 days before ship arrival