ENS / ACD – Sierra Leone (Electronic Notice of Shipment / Advanced Cargo Declaration)

📄 Document type

• Mandatory electronic document for all cargo destined for Sierra Leone.

• Must be obtained before shipment and your ENS/ACD number must appear on the BL (Bill of Lading).

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👤 Who should process it?

• Exporter (company that makes the shipment)

• Authorized freight forwarder or freight agent, using information from the exporter and importer.

• ✔️ The responsibility for issuing the Waiver falls on the Shipper.

• ✔️ It is recommended to issue at source.

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📑 Required documents

1. Bill of Lading (BL) – draft or final

2. Commercial invoice (with currency and country of origin)

3. Packing List

4. Freight invoice (if not included in the commercial invoice)

5. Customs export document (DUA or equivalent)

6. Certificate of origin (if applicable)

7. Complete data of the importer (commercial registry / NIF / TIN)

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🕒 Deadlines

• Must be processed before the ship’s departure.

• The Waiver can be validated with a BL DRAFT.

• It is recommended to validate the Waiver at least 5 days before arrival at the port of Freetown.

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❗ Consequences of not processing it

• Cargo retention or blocking at the port of Freetown

• Fines and surcharges by port authorities and customs

• Major delays in dispatch and delivery

• Risk of rejection or immobilization of merchandise

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📍

• Through agents authorized by the Sierra Leone Shippers Council (SLSC) and its official representatives, both in Sierra Leone and abroad.

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💸 ENS / ACD rates – Sierra Leone

🔹 RORO

🔹 FCL

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➕ Surcharges and other costs

1. Waiver cancellation after sending the draft: +60 €

2. Modification or correction of Validated Waiver: 65 €

3. BL with DUA >8 HS Codes: +€30 for each section of 8 HS Codes

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✅ Regulations and operational rules

• Mandatory to add ENS / ACD number in the BL (given when validating the Waiver).

• Mandatory for internal transits as well.