Guinea
B/L Print Requirements
Mandatory text on Ocean B/L
- • BESC / ECTN Number, 6-digit HS Code, and consignee 9-digit NIF mandatory on Ocean B/L.
- • Sea waybills are strictly prohibited (Original B/L or Telex Release only).
- • Destination printing of B/L at Conakry is prohibited.
- • Ocean freight must be prepaid.
BESC number and consignee 9-digit NIF must appear on the final B/L and manifest. Sea waybills are not permitted — only Original B/L or Telex Release. Printing B/Ls at Conakry destination is strictly prohibited.
Inspection & Certificates
Pre-loading inspection & filing
- • BESC must be validated via Office Guinéen des Chargeurs (OGC) portal prior to vessel departure.
- • Prior Import Declaration (DDI) filed via commercial bank before shipment.
Cargo & Standards
Labeling, vehicles & packaging
- • Passenger vehicles: maximum 8 years from manufacture
- • Commercial vehicles (trucks, buses): maximum 12 years from manufacture
- • Right-hand-drive vehicles are strictly prohibited.
- • French product labeling mandatory.
- • Official Veterinary Health Certificate mandatory for all imported meat and poultry products.
- • Light passenger vehicles (up to 3.5 tonnes) cannot exceed 8 years; minibuses capped at 10 years; heavy trucks and buses permitted up to 12 years.
- • Toxic waste, scrap batteries, and used tires prohibited.
- • ISPM 15 wood packaging stamp strictly enforced at Port of Conakry.
- • ISPM 15 heat-treated stamp required on all wooden packaging.
Shipper & Consignee
Where this destination differs from standard practice
- • Foreign consignees are not accepted — a locally-registered entity must be named.
- • NVOCCs cannot be named as consignee — the actual buyer must be named.
- • Generic "to order" is not accepted — only "to order of [named bank]" is permitted.
Consignee must be a registered Guinean legal entity with a valid 9-digit NIF. Foreign-based consignees and notify parties are strictly prohibited. Generic "TO ORDER" B/Ls are strictly prohibited — only "TO ORDER OF [NAMED GUINEAN BANK]" is permitted, with full local buyer contact details and NIF in Notify. PO Box only is rejected.
Non-Compliance Risk at Destination
Vessels discharging cargo without a validated BESC in Conakry face port carrier fines and customs clearance holds. Sea waybills and generic "To Order" B/Ls are rejected by customs.
Compliance Timeline for Guinea
Follow this 3-step sequence from container stuffing through to port clearance.
Before Container Loading
- ✓ Confirm commercial invoice and packing list accuracy with consignee.
- ✓ Verify vehicle age against the applicable statutory limit (8 yrs passenger / 12 yrs commercial).
- ✓ Confirm vehicle is NOT right-hand drive before booking.
- ✓ Confirm consignee is a locally-registered entity — foreign consignees are not accepted at this destination.
- ✓ Verify ISPM 15 heat-treated stamp on all wooden crates, dunnage, and pallets.
Prior to Sailing
- ✓ Inscribe validated BESC certificate number onto the Ocean B/L text and carrier manifest. (OGC (Office Guinéen des Chargeurs))
- ✓ Generic "to order" is not accepted — only "to order of [named bank]" is permitted.
- ✓ Ensure exact consignee Tax ID / Registration Code and 6-digit HS Code are printed on B/L.
- ✓ Submit SOLAS Verified Gross Mass (VGM) to loading terminal before yard cutoff.
Port Clearance at Destination
- ✓ Submit validated BESC electronic tracking note to destination customs authority.
- ✓ Collect Delivery Order (DO) upon completing Release verification.
Download Compliance Guide for Guinea (PDF)
Generate a practical, print-ready compliance document complete with statutory B/L clauses, ECTN certificate agencies, vehicle age ceilings, and station phone contacts.