When exporting goods to certain countries, the Waiver document is a mandatory requirement that you cannot ignore. Without it, your cargo can be detained at customs, face fines or even be returned to the origin, generating cost overruns and delays that affect the entire operation.
Butwhat exactly is the Waiver? It is a certificate that some governments require to control and track imports prior to arrival. Its purpose is to ensure safety in international trade, improve tax collection and prevent fraud at customs.
If you operate in markets such as Africa or Latin America, it is essential that you know which countries require it, how to manage it correctly and what mistakes to avoid. In this article, we explain everything you need to know to make sure your goods reach their destination without a hitch.
🚀 Read on to find out how to optimize your shipments with the right documentation.
What is a Waiver document?
The Waiver document, also known as Cargo Tracking Note (CTN), Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN) or Bordereau de Suivi de Cargaison (BSC), is a mandatory certificate that some countries require to authorize the entry of goods into their territory.
This document must be managed prior to shipment and is intended to control and track the cargo, ensuring that it complies with the customs and tax regulations of the importing country.
What is it for?
✅ Facilitates customs clearance → Avoids delays and penalties at the port of destination.
✅ Improves cargo traceability → Allows authorities to track the path of the shipment.
✅ Strengthens security → Helps prevent smuggling and import fraud.
✅ Ensures regulatory compliance → Ensures that the goods comply with the regulations of the receiving country.
When is it mandatory?
The Waiver is required in several countries, mainly in Africa and some Latin American markets. Without it, the goods may be held at customs, resulting in additional costs and delays in delivery.
🔹 Important: Each country has specific requirements as to who must apply (exporter, importer or logistics agent) and what information must be included.
Which countries require the Waiver document?
The Waiver document is a mandatory requirement in several countries, mainly in Africa and some Latin American regions. Its purpose is to control the traceability of cargo prior to arrival, ensuring compliance with customs and tax regulations.
Without this certificate, the goods may be detained at customs, generating penalties and additional costs for the importer.
List of countries requiring Waiver
🔹 Africa (the countries with the highest Waiver requirements)
✔ Angola (CNCA – Cargo Certificate)
✔ Benin (BESC – Bordereau de Suivi de Cargaison)
✔ Burkina Faso (ECTN – Electronic Cargo Tracking Note)
✔ Cameroon (BESC)
✔ Cape Verde (Cargo Waiver)
✔ Côte d’Ivoire (BSC – Bordereau de Suivi de Cargaison)
✔ Ghana (CTN – Cargo Tracking Note)
✔ Guinea (ECTN)
✔ Guinea-Bissau (BESC)
✔ Mali (BSC)
✔ Republic of the Congo (BESC)
✔ Senegal (BSC)
✔ Sierra Leone (ENS – Entry Summary Number)
✔ Togo (BESC)
🔹 Important note:
The requirements of each country may change, so it is advisable to verify the current regulations before each shipment with your logistics agent.
🌎 Latin America
In some South and Central American countries, the Waiver may be required in specific cases, depending on the type of cargo or destination.
📌 Recommendation: Check with Across Logistics to verify if your shipment needs a Waiver in your destination country.
How to manage the Waiver document step by step
To avoid delays and additional costs at customs, it is essential to manage the Waiver document correctly before boarding. Below, we explain the key steps to obtain it without complications.
Step 1: Check if your destination requires a Waiver
Before exporting, make sure that the destination country requires this document. As we saw in the previous section, the Waiver is mandatory in several African countries and in some Latin American countries.
✅ Tip: At Across Logistics, we help you confirm whether your shipment needs this certificate and what specific requirements apply.
Step 2: Gather the necessary documentation
Each country may require different documents, but in general, you will need:
📄Commercial Invoice (with declared value of the cargo).
📦 Packing List.
🚢 Bill of Lading (BL o AWB) with the Waiver number if already issued.
📜Certificate of origin (depending on the country).
💰 Freight invoice (to calculate duties and taxes).
✅ Recommendation: Across Logistics will review your documentation to make sure everything is in order before submitting your application.
Step 3: Submit the application to the issuing institution
The Waiver must be processed through official agencies, which may vary according to the country. Generally, it is processed through:
🏛️ Foreign trade authorities (depending on the importing country).
📍 Customs certification agencies (designated by each government).
🔹 Through the freight forwarder or freight forwarder (such as Across Logistics, which manages the process for you).
Step 4: Validation and issuance of the Waiver
Once the application is submitted, the issuing entity will review the documents and, if everything is in order, will issue the Waiver document with a unique code.
🔹 Issuance time: It may take between 24 and 72 hours, depending on the country and the documentation presented.
📌 Important: This code must appear on the bill of lading (BL) so that the cargo has no problems at destination customs.
✅ Logistics tip: At Across Logistics, we make sure that the Waiver number is correctly recorded to avoid rejections or penalties.
Step 5: Send the Waiver to the importer and present it to customs.
The Waiver must be sent to the importer at destination, who must present it to the customs authorities prior to the arrival of the goods.
🔹 If the Waiver is not registered with Customs prior to the arrival of the ship or aircraft, the cargo may be detained, generating extra storage costs.
✅ Avoid problems by ensuring that the document is validated and sent well in advance.
Benefits of properly managing the Waiver document
Managing the Waiver document efficiently not only avoids problems at customs, but also improves the flow of logistical operations and reduces unnecessary costs.
Below, we explain the main benefits of processing it correctly and on time.
1. You avoid delays and blockages at customs.
The Waiver is a mandatory requirement in several countries. If the merchandise arrives without this document, the authorities can hold the shipment, generating long waiting times and even returning the cargo to the country of origin.
📌 How to avoid it: Manage the Waiver before boarding and make sure it is registered in customs before the arrival of the ship or plane.
With Across Logistics, we guarantee that your Waiver will be processed on time to avoid blockages at destination.
2. You reduce additional costs
Failure to have the Waiver may result in fines, port storage surcharges and extra customs fees.
Costs you can avoid:
❌ Charge retention fees.
❌ Penalties for non-compliance with regulations.
❌ Extra expenses in emergency procedures.
📌 How to avoid it: Make sure the document is in order well in advance and avoid unnecessary expenses.
With Across Logistics, we optimize every step to reduce logistics costs and ensure seamless shipments.
3. You facilitate customs clearance and fast delivery.
A well-managed Waiver streamlines customs procedures, allowing the goods to be released faster and reach their destination without complications.
📌 Key benefit: Expedited delivery means that your customers will receive their cargo in the shortest possible time, improving your service and competitiveness.
✔ Across Logistics handles the entire process, ensuring that documentation meets customs requirements.
4. You comply with regulations and avoid legal risks.
Customs authorities may apply legal sanctions if the goods enter without the Waiver. In some cases, shipments may be rejected and re-exported, resulting in significant losses.
📌 How to avoid it: Be informed about the requirements of each country or work with a specialized logistics agent to handle document management.
✔ With Across Logistics, we keep you up to date with regulations to ensure compliance for every operation.
5. Increased security and control in transportation
The Waiver allows authorities to track cargo prior to arrival, which helps prevent fraud, smuggling and other risks in international trade.
📌 Key benefit: Having control over the traceability of the cargo gives you greater security in each shipment and avoids problems at destination.
With Across Logistics, we guarantee the correct traceability of your goods, ensuring safe and smooth transportation.
Common mistakes when managing a Waiver and how to avoid them
The Waiver document is an essential requirement in many exports, but its incorrect handling can lead to delays, additional costs and even the retention of the cargo in customs.
To avoid problems, here we show you the most frequent errors and how to solve them.
1. Do not check if the destination requires a Waiver.
Many exporters assume that their cargo does not need Waiver and discover the requirement when the goods are already in transit. This can result in additional costs and delivery delays.
🔹 How to avoid it:
✅ Always check if the destination country requires Waiver before planning the shipment.
✅ Across Logistics verifies for you the specific requirements according to the route and type of cargo.
2. Errors in documentation
❌ Incorrect data on the commercial invoice or bill of lading (BL).
❌ Lack of key documents such as the Packing List or Certificate of Origin.
❌ Inconsistent information between the different documents submitted.
🔹 How to avoid it:
✅ Check all the data before submitting the application.
✅ Work with a logistics agent such as Across Logistics, which is responsible for reviewing the documentation before processing the Waiver.
Applying for the Waiver too late
The Waiver must be approved prior to shipment. If it is processed late, there is a risk that the cargo will arrive at destination without the document, which may result in it being held.
🔹 How to avoid it:
✅ Apply for the Waiver at least 5-7 days before boarding, depending on the country of destination.
✅ At Across Logistics, we make sure to manage your Waiver well in advance to avoid blockages at customs.
4. Failure to include the Waiver number on the bill of lading (BL).
The Waiver number must appear on the bill of lading. Without this information, Customs may reject the cargo and apply penalties.
🔹 How to avoid it:
✅ Make sure the carrier or shipping company includes the Waiver number on the BL prior to issuance.
✅ Across Logistics oversees this process to avoid administrative errors affecting your cargo.
5. Not considering additional costs
Some exporters forget to include the cost of the Waiver in the shipping budget, which can affect the profitability of the operation.
🔹 How to avoid it:
✅ Request a prior calculation of waiver costs according to destination and type of cargo.
✅ Across Logistics provides you with a detailed cost breakdown so you can better plan your shipment.
Across Logistics: Experts in customs management and international trade documentation
Proper Waiver document management is only one part of a much broader customs process. In international trade, proper document management and regulatory compliance are key to avoiding penalties, delays and cost overruns in the import and export of goods.
At Across Logistics we offer a comprehensive customs and document management and document management to ensure that every shipment complies with international regulations.
Why trust Across Logistics?
🌍 Global experience in international trade and customs regulations.
📑 Experts in documentation, ensuring compliance in every operation.
⚡ Risk and cost reduction, optimizing your company’s logistics.
If you need to ensure that your cargo meets customs requirements without complications, Across Logistics can handle the entire process.
Ready to optimize your international logistics? Contact us at and let our team of customs and documentation specialists take care of the paperwork so that your goods arrive smoothly at their destination. 🚛🌎
