BESC Cameroon (Waiver) – Procedure and Regulations

📌 Official nomenclature

BESC (Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des Cargaisons – Cameroon)

📄 Document Type

This is a mandatory certificate for all cargo destined for Cameroon.

👉 The document is obtained by validating the Waiver:

  • Validated Waiver = BESC issued (BESC number)

📌 Special feature:

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

👤 Who should process it?

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

  • With information about the exporter and importer in Cameroon

👉 Responsibility:

  • Falls on the shipper

  • It is recommended to process it at origin

📑 Required documentation

🔹 To manage the Waiver:

  1. Copy of BL (Bill of Lading)

  2. Copy of the Commercial Invoice

  3. Packing List or copy of the DUA (Customs Export Document)

  4. GUCE or DI (Import Declaration in Cameroon)

    • Must be provided by the recipient

🔹 Complementary documentation (according to standard operation):

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

  2. Certificate of origin (if applies)

  3. Complete importer data

🔹 For Waiver validation:

  • ✔️ You can be validated with BL DRAFT (draft)

👉 Key difference compared to other countries:

  • ❗ Final BL is not required to validate

👉 The BESC number:

  • ✔️ Obtained after validation of the Waiver

🕒 Deadlines

  • Must be managed before the ship leaves

  • Recommended:

    • ✅

⚠️ Risks due to non-compliance:

  • Fines

  • Port surcharges

  • Operational delays

📍 Where is it processed

Through agents authorized by the
Conseil National des Chargeurs du Cameroun (CNCC)

  • At origin

  • Or abroad

⚠️ Regulations and operational rules

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

  • ✔️ The number is obtained after validating the Waiver

  • ✔️ Can be validated with BL draft (DRAFT)

  • ✔️ Mandatory document for imports to:

    • Ports of Douala

    • Kribi

  • ✔️ Recommended to cast at origin

  • ✔️ Responsibility: shipper

❗ Consequences of not processing the BESC

  • Hold or block loading at:

    • Port of Douala

    • Kribi Port

  • Customs fines and surcharges

  • Dispatch delays

  • Risk of immobilization or rejection of merchandise

💸 Waiver / BESC Fees – Cameroon

🔹 POL: Europe & Africa

Type Rate
FCL €150 up to 10 TEUs
Recharge vehicles in containers +€25 from the 2nd vehicle
RORO Query
LCL Consult

🔹 POL: Rest of the World

Type Rate
FCL €200 up to 10 TEUs
Recharge vehicles in containers +50 € from the 2nd vehicle
RORO Query
LCL Query

➕ Surcharges and additional costs

  1. ❌ Waiver Cancellation

    • +60 € (after sending draft)

  2. 🔄 Waiver modification validated

    • +50 €

  3. 📊 Excess HS Codes

    • +€30 Waiver

    • Applicable for each section of more than 8 HS Codes

✅ Key operational summary

  • Waiver validated = BESC issued

  • Responsible: Shipper

  • Process at origin (recommended)

📌 Key documentation:

  • BL

  • Commercial invoice

  • Packing List / DUA

  • GUCE / DI (import)

📌 Validation:

  • ✔️ Can be done with BL DRAFT

📌 Particularities:

  • ✔️ BESC number mandatory in BL

  • ✔️ Requires local import document (GUCE/DI)

📌 Critical deadline:

  • ≥ 7 days before ship arrival