What is a BSC in Madagascar?

The BSC (Bordereau de Suivi des Cargaisons) is cargo tracking information submitted through the GasyNet BSC system. Malagasy Customs requires a validated BSC for cargo destined for Madagascar, subject to published exceptions.

Which shipments are exempt from a BSC?

Customs lists exceptions including certain postal parcels and air freight whose FOB value does not exceed EUR 100, documents or samples, specified defence imports, central bank banknotes, state-to-state gifts, diplomatic bags, and disaster-relief shipments. Consult the current Customs page for the complete conditions.

How do I obtain a BSC for Madagascar?

The exporter or its export freight agent submits the BSC through the official GasyNet portal at bscmg.sgs.com. The filing is made after shipment when final documents are available. The GasyNet technical centre reviews the submission.

What documents are required for a BSC?

GasyNet lists the invoice, packing note, transport document for sea freight, and export customs declaration among the basic documents. Requirements can vary by shipment. Check the current portal instructions before submitting.

What if a shipment that requires a BSC does not have a validated one?

The DGD states that a validated BSC is required for customs clearance for covered cargo. Contact GasyNet or an accredited customs broker about the shipment's status and next steps. This page does not estimate penalties.

How much does a BSC cost?

The Customs guidance reviewed for this page does not publish a BSC fee table. Ask GasyNet or the service provider for a current quote and confirm any fee before shipment.

Is a BSC required for air freight to Madagascar?

A BSC is generally required for air cargo, subject to the Customs exceptions. One listed exception covers air freight with FOB value not exceeding EUR 100. Check the current rules for the shipment.

Does a BSC apply regardless of origin country?

The DGD requirement concerns cargo destined for Madagascar, not a specific origin. Check the published exceptions and the current procedure for the shipment's mode and customs regime.

Can an export freight agent submit the BSC?

Yes. GasyNet guidance says the exporter can create the BSC itself or ask its export freight agent to do so. The importer should ensure the relevant company accounts and shipment details are correct in the portal.

Import compliance

BSC · Cargo Tracking Note · Madagascar Customs · Documentation

BSC in Madagascar: the Cargo Tracking Note guide.

A BSC is required for most cargo destined for Madagascar, with exceptions published by the Customs Administration. This guide summarizes the portal, documents, and recommended validation timing. Always check current Customs and GasyNet instructions.

What the BSC is

The BSC is Madagascar's cargo tracking document.

The BSC, or Bordereau de Suivi des Cargaisons, is a cargo tracking document managed through GasyNet. The exporter or its export freight agent submits shipment information through the online portal after dispatch, with final documents available.

The DGD says a validated BSC is required for customs clearance, subject to stated exceptions. GasyNet's technical centre checks each filing for admissibility. Missing or inconsistent information can delay validation.

Exceptions include certain postal parcels and air freight not exceeding EUR 100 FOB, documents or samples, and specified diplomatic, state, defence, or disaster-relief shipments. Check the full current list with Customs before deciding a BSC is not required.

Open the official BSC portal·Read Customs clearance guidance

Issuing organizations

Use the official GasyNet BSC portal.

Malagasy Customs directs users to bscmg.sgs.com for BSC filing. GasyNet's technical centre reviews BSC submissions and provides support. Current account and document instructions are published in the portal and its help pages.

GasyNet BSC portal

The Malagasy Customs Administration directs users to the BSC service at bscmg.sgs.com. GasyNet's technical centre checks submitted BSCs for admissibility. Use the portal's current instructions and contact its support team for account, document, or status questions.

The process

Five steps from application to validated BSC.

The exporter or export agent submits after shipment and requests validation. GasyNet recommends allowing time before lodging the customs declaration.

01
Prepare your documents
Gather the commercial invoice, packing list, and shipping details. The issuing organization needs accurate cargo descriptions, weights, values, and HS codes. Errors at this stage propagate into the BSC and can trigger clearance problems at Toamasina.
02
Open or pre-register the BSC
The exporter or export freight agent uses the online BSC system after the goods have been shipped and the final documents are available. The exporter can file directly or mandate its export agent.
03
Submit the required information for review
Attach the documents required for the shipment and request validation. GasyNet's technical centre checks the filing; missing, inconsistent, or incomplete information may result in a request for documents or corrections.
04
Receive BSC validation
Wait for the portal to show the BSC as validated before customs clearance. GasyNet's FAQ says the BSC number is not required on the transport document; follow the portal instructions for other references.
05
Allow time before customs declaration
GasyNet recommends validation at least three days before lodging the customs declaration for sea freight and at least one day before for air freight or short-distance shipments. Confirm current guidance with the BSC technical centre.

Required documents

What you need before you apply for a BSC.

Gather these documents before starting the BSC application. Missing or incomplete documents delay processing and can result in inaccuracies on the BSC that cause problems at Toamasina.

Commercial Invoice

GasyNet lists the final invoice with a detailed description and Incoterms among the documents required for a BSC. Check the portal guidance for the exact information required for your shipment.

Packing List

GasyNet lists the packing note as a basic supporting document. Ensure its cargo details are consistent with the other documents submitted.

Bill of Lading or Air Waybill

GasyNet lists the transport document for sea freight among supporting documents. Its FAQ says the BSC number is not required on the transport document.

Export declaration or equivalent export document

GasyNet lists the export customs declaration among basic documents. Where the origin country does not issue one, follow the current portal guidance on an acceptable substitute.

When the BSC must be validated, by transport mode.

GasyNet recommends validation at least three days before the customs declaration for sea freight and one day before for air freight or short-distance shipments. Check its current guidance for the route and mode.

Sea freight

At least 3 days before customs declaration (recommended)

GasyNet recommends validation at least three days before lodging the customs declaration for sea freight. This is a recommended clearance lead time, not a requirement to validate before vessel departure.

Air freight

At least 1 day before customs declaration (recommended)

For air freight, GasyNet recommends validation at least one day before lodging the customs declaration. Confirm current portal instructions and any exception that applies to low-value air cargo.

Road transport

Confirm with GasyNet

GasyNet groups short-distance movements with the one-day recommendation. Confirm the procedure for the route and declaration before dispatch.

Cost

What a BSC costs and what affects the price.

The portal does not publish a fee table in the Customs guidance reviewed for this page. Ask GasyNet or the service provider for a current quote, and confirm whether any service fee applies to your shipment. Do not rely on third-party fee estimates.

Cargo types

BSC requirements vary by what you are shipping.

Requirements depend on the shipment and the exceptions in Customs guidance. Check the portal for documents specific to your cargo.

Standard goods

Use the portal to check the current filing and document requirements for the shipment.

Dangerous goods

Check the BSC portal and applicable dangerous-goods rules for any additional documents required for the cargo.

Project cargo and heavy-lift

Confirm any shipment-specific information with the BSC technical centre and the carrier handling the cargo.

Personal effects and household goods

Some non-commercial shipments may be exempt. Check the exceptions published by the Customs Administration before opening a BSC.

Perishable goods

Confirm required documents and timing with GasyNet and the carrier. No general expedited processing time is stated here.

Penalties

What happens when BSC compliance fails.

A validated BSC is part of customs clearance for covered cargo. Customs publishes exceptions and applicable legal requirements. Confirm the rule for your shipment with the DGD or GasyNet.

Check the current customs procedure
The DGD states that a validated BSC is required for customs clearance, subject to listed exceptions. For a shipment-specific issue, contact the BSC technical centre or an accredited customs broker. This page does not estimate penalties or processing time.

Common mistakes

Errors that cause BSC problems at Toamasina.

Follow the portal's current document and account requirements. Check for complete and consistent information before requesting validation.

Incorrect cargo descriptions
Use descriptions and supporting records that accurately identify the shipment. Check the GasyNet portal instructions for required fields and documents.
Mismatched values
Review shipment details against the commercial invoice and transport documents before submission. This page does not predict inspection channels or penalties.
Wrong HS codes
Use the tariff classification required by the relevant customs documents and verify uncertain classifications with Customs or an accredited broker.
Late filing
GasyNet says the exporter or export agent opens the BSC after shipment when final documents are available. Its FAQ recommends validation at least three days before a sea-freight customs declaration, or one day for air or short-distance movements. Confirm the timing for your case.
Assuming the BSC number belongs on the transport document
GasyNet's FAQ says the BSC number is not required on the transport document. Follow the current portal instructions for references required on other records.

BSC vs other documents

How the BSC fits into Madagascar import documentation.

The BSC is one document in a set. Check each document's role and current requirement with Customs. Understanding how it relates to the customs declaration, certificate of origin, and import permits prevents confusion and duplication.

Document	Purpose	Timing	Issued by
BSC (Cargo Tracking Note)	Cargo tracking information submitted through the GasyNet BSC system	After shipment; validate ahead of customs declaration	Exporter or its export freight agent through the official portal
Customs Declaration (DGD)	Formal import declaration under the applicable customs procedure	According to the customs process for the shipment	Importer or authorized customs declarant
Certificate of Origin	Proves where goods were manufactured for duty assessment	At time of export	Chamber of Commerce or authorized body in origin country
Import Permit	Authorizes specific restricted goods to enter Madagascar	Before shipment, varies by product	Relevant Malagasy ministry or authority

Common questions

BSC in Madagascar, answered.

What is a BSC in Madagascar?: The BSC (Bordereau de Suivi des Cargaisons) is cargo tracking information submitted through the GasyNet BSC system. Malagasy Customs requires a validated BSC for cargo destined for Madagascar, subject to published exceptions.
Which shipments are exempt from a BSC?: Customs lists exceptions including certain postal parcels and air freight whose FOB value does not exceed EUR 100, documents or samples, specified defence imports, central bank banknotes, state-to-state gifts, diplomatic bags, and disaster-relief shipments. Consult the current Customs page for the complete conditions.
How do I obtain a BSC for Madagascar?: The exporter or its export freight agent submits the BSC through the official GasyNet portal at bscmg.sgs.com. The filing is made after shipment when final documents are available. The GasyNet technical centre reviews the submission.
What documents are required for a BSC?: GasyNet lists the invoice, packing note, transport document for sea freight, and export customs declaration among the basic documents. Requirements can vary by shipment. Check the current portal instructions before submitting.
When should the BSC be validated?: GasyNet recommends validation at least three days before lodging the customs declaration for sea freight and at least one day before for air freight or short-distance shipments. This is a recommended clearance lead time, not a pre-departure requirement. Confirm current instructions with GasyNet.
What if a shipment that requires a BSC does not have a validated one?: The DGD states that a validated BSC is required for customs clearance for covered cargo. Contact GasyNet or an accredited customs broker about the shipment's status and next steps. This page does not estimate penalties.
How much does a BSC cost?: The Customs guidance reviewed for this page does not publish a BSC fee table. Ask GasyNet or the service provider for a current quote and confirm any fee before shipment.
Is a BSC required for air freight to Madagascar?: A BSC is generally required for air cargo, subject to the Customs exceptions. One listed exception covers air freight with FOB value not exceeding EUR 100. Check the current rules for the shipment.
Does a BSC apply regardless of origin country?: The DGD requirement concerns cargo destined for Madagascar, not a specific origin. Check the published exceptions and the current procedure for the shipment's mode and customs regime.
Can an export freight agent submit the BSC?: Yes. GasyNet guidance says the exporter can create the BSC itself or ask its export freight agent to do so. The importer should ensure the relevant company accounts and shipment details are correct in the portal.

Questions about a BSC for a Madagascar import?

Check the official portal and Customs guidance first. Ekutano can help coordinate shipment documents and connect the process with an accredited customs broker when required.

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