Operator's guide
LNM · Inspection · Compliance · Customs · Madagascar
LNM in Madagascar: the non-manipulation certificate your imports cannot move without.
Every commercial shipment entering Madagascar by sea or air must carry a valid LNM (Licence de Non-Manipulation). The certificate confirms that the goods were not opened, altered, or tampered with during transit. Without it, your cargo will not clear customs at Toamasina. This guide covers what the LNM requires, how to obtain it, who issues it, and what it costs.
Overview
What the LNM is and why Madagascar requires it.
The LNM (Licence de Non-Manipulation) is a certificate issued by an inspection body authorised by the Malagasy Direction Générale des Douanes (DGD). It verifies that the cargo was inspected at the country of origin and that the goods were sealed and not accessed during loading or transit.
Madagascar introduced the LNM requirement to reduce customs fraud, undervaluation, and the substitution of goods during transit. The certificate is part of a broader customs compliance framework that includes the BSC (Bordereau de Suivi des Cargaisons) and the ASYcargo World electronic filing system.
For importers, the practical impact is straightforward: no LNM, no clearance. The certificate must be issued before the vessel departs from the origin port, and it must reach Toamasina before or at the same time as the cargo. Late or missing certificates result in penalties and terminal storage charges.
Why it is required
The LNM protects Madagascar's customs revenue and cargo integrity.
Madagascar has faced persistent challenges with customs fraud, including undervaluation of imported goods, substitution of higher-tariff items with lower-tariff descriptions, and manipulation of cargo during transit. The LNM addresses these issues by requiring an independent inspection at the point of origin.
The certificate creates a documented chain of custody. The inspection body records the cargo contents, seals the containers, and issues a certificate that the DGD can cross-reference at Toamasina. This reduces the gap between what was shipped and what arrives.
For legitimate importers, the LNM is not a burden. It is a safeguard that levels the playing field. Importers who declare correctly and ship transparently benefit from faster clearance and fewer inspections at Toamasina.
The process
How to obtain an LNM certificate before your goods ship.
The LNM process is straightforward but time-sensitive. Each step must be completed before the vessel departs from the origin port. Delays at any stage risk missing the sailing and triggering penalties.
01
Select an authorised inspection body
Choose an inspection body recognised by the Malagasy DGD. SGS, Bureau Veritas, and Intertek are the most common. Your customs broker can confirm which body operates at your origin port.
02
Submit the application
Complete the inspection body's application form with the commercial invoice, packing list, and Bill of Lading. Specify the inspection location, usually the warehouse or port terminal where the goods will be sealed.
03
Schedule the inspection
The inspection body sends an inspector to the designated location. The inspector verifies the cargo against the documents, checks the quantity and condition, and seals the container or packages.
04
Receive the certificate
Once the inspection passes, the body issues the LNM certificate. The document includes the shipment reference, inspection date, cargo details, and seal number. The certificate must be transmitted to Toamasina before the vessel arrives.
05
Confirm delivery to Toamasina
Your customs broker at Toamasina must confirm receipt of the LNM certificate before the vessel berths. Without confirmation, the cargo will be held at the terminal pending document verification.
Documents needed
What you need to prepare for the LNM inspection.
The inspection body requires a standard set of documents to process the LNM application. All documents must be accurate and consistent. Discrepancies between the invoice and the physical cargo will delay or fail the inspection.
Commercial Invoice
The seller's invoice detailing the buyer, seller, goods description, value, and Incoterms. Must match the packing list and Bill of Lading exactly.
Packing List
Itemised list of contents, weights, and dimensions for each package. The inspection body cross-references this against the physical cargo at origin.
Bill of Lading or Airway Bill
The carrier's receipt confirming the goods are on board. Required for the LNM application and for customs clearance at Toamasina.
Shipping Application Form
The LNM inspection body's standard form, completed by the importer or freight forwarder. Specifies the inspection location, cargo type, and contact details.
Issuing bodies
Three inspection companies are authorised to issue the LNM for Madagascar.
The DGD maintains a list of authorised inspection bodies. The three major ones operate globally and cover the main export ports serving Madagascar. Your choice depends on where your goods originate.
SGS
The most widely used inspection body for LNM certificates in Madagascar. SGS operates at major Chinese, Indian, and Middle Eastern ports. Their Madagascar office coordinates directly with the DGD.
Bureau Veritas
A global inspection and certification body with strong presence in African trade lanes. Bureau Veritas handles LNM inspections across European, Asian, and Gulf origins.
Intertek
Intertek provides LNM inspection services with particular strength in Asian and Middle Eastern origins. Their network covers the main export ports serving Madagascar.
Deadlines
Timing is the single most important factor in the LNM process.
The LNM certificate must be issued and validated before the vessel departs from the origin port. This is a hard deadline. If the inspection happens after the vessel sails, the certificate is invalid for that shipment.
Plan the inspection at least two working days before the scheduled sailing. This leaves time for any document corrections or re-inspection if the first attempt fails. For LCL shipments, schedule the inspection at the consolidation warehouse before the cargo is packed into the container.
The certificate must also reach Toamasina before the vessel berths. Your customs broker should confirm receipt. If the certificate is delayed in transit, the cargo will be held at the terminal, accruing storage charges until the document arrives.
Cost
LNM fees are modest. The penalties for missing one are not.
Inspection fees vary by issuer, cargo type, and shipment value. For standard sea freight shipments, expect USD 150 to USD 400 per shipment. Air freight inspections tend to cost slightly more due to the tighter turnaround.
Additional charges may apply for weekend or holiday inspections, re-inspection after a failed first attempt, and remote origin locations where the inspector must travel. Request a quote from the inspection body before committing.
The cost of the LNM itself is small compared to the penalties for shipping without one. Cargo held at Toamasina without a valid LNM incurs daily storage charges, and the retroactive certificate process can take several days. The total cost of non-compliance far exceeds the inspection fee.
Penalties
What happens when the LNM is missing or invalid.
Cargo arriving at Toamasina without a valid LNM will be held at the terminal. The DGD will not release the goods until the certificate is obtained, which typically requires a retroactive inspection or a waiver process at Toamasina. This can take three to seven working days.
The importer also faces financial penalties. The exact amount depends on the nature of the non-compliance, but the penalty is assessed on top of the retroactive inspection fee and the terminal storage charges that accumulate during the hold.
Repeat non-compliance can result in your cargo being flagged for automatic red-channel inspection on future shipments. This means physical inspection of every container, which adds days and cost to every import.
LNM vs BSC
Two mandatory documents. Different purposes, different timing.
Importers often confuse the LNM with the BSC (Bordereau de Suivi des Cargaisons). Both are mandatory for Madagascar imports, but they serve different functions and follow different timelines.
The BSC is a cargo tracking note filed before the goods are shipped. It tells the DGD what is coming. The LNM is a physical inspection certificate issued at the origin, confirming the goods were sealed and not manipulated. The BSC is a filing; the LNM is a verification.
You need both. The BSC is filed through the DGD portal or an authorised operator before departure. The LNM is obtained through an inspection body at the origin. One does not replace the other, and both must be valid when the cargo arrives at Toamasina.
Watch-outs
The problems that delay LNM certificates and hold cargo.
Every import lane has its failure modes. Knowing them before you ship is cheaper than learning them after your cargo is stuck at Toamasina.
LNM obtained after vessel departure
The certificate must be validated before the vessel departs from the origin port. If the inspection happens too late, the LNM will not be valid for that shipment. Schedule the inspection at least two days before the sailing date.
Document mismatch between invoice and cargo
The inspection body compares the physical cargo against the commercial invoice and packing list. Any discrepancy, such as a different quantity or incorrect description, will delay or fail the inspection.
Wrong origin port listed
The LNM certificate specifies the port where the inspection took place. If the cargo is later shipped from a different port, the certificate becomes invalid. Ensure the inspection location matches the actual loading port.
LNM not available at Toamasina upon arrival
The certificate must reach Toamasina before or at the same time as the cargo. If it is delayed, the shipment will be held at the terminal. Your forwarder should confirm the document has been transmitted to the Malagasy customs broker.
Applying to the wrong inspection body
Not all inspection bodies are authorised to issue LNM certificates for Madagascar. Confirm with your customs broker that the body you choose is recognised by the DGD before scheduling the inspection.
Common questions
LNM for Madagascar imports, answered.
- What is an LNM certificate?
- LNM stands for Licence de Non-Manipulation. It is a mandatory certificate for all imports into Madagascar that confirms the goods have not been opened, altered, or tampered with during transit. The document must be obtained before the goods arrive at Toamasina.
- Do all imports to Madagascar require an LNM?
- Yes. Every commercial shipment entering Madagascar by sea or air requires a valid LNM certificate. There are no exemptions based on cargo value, HS code, or origin. The requirement applies equally to FCL, LCL, and air freight.
- Who issues the LNM certificate?
- LNM certificates are issued by bodies authorised by the Malagasy Direction Générale des Douanes (DGD). The most common issuers are SGS, Bureau Veritas, and Intertek. These inspection companies verify cargo integrity at the origin country before the goods are shipped.
- When should I apply for the LNM?
- You must apply for the LNM before the goods are shipped from the country of origin. The inspection takes place at origin, and the certificate must be validated before the vessel departs. Late or missing LNM certificates result in penalties and clearance delays at Toamasina.
- What documents are needed to obtain an LNM?
- Typical requirements include a commercial invoice, packing list, Bill of Lading or airway bill, and the shipping application form. The inspection body verifies the cargo against these documents at origin. Specific requirements vary slightly between issuers.
- What is the cost of an LNM certificate?
- The cost varies by issuer, cargo type, and shipment value. Typical fees range from USD 150 to USD 400 for standard sea freight shipments. Additional charges may apply for re-inspection, weekend inspections, or remote origin locations.
- What happens if I ship without an LNM?
- Cargo arriving without a valid LNM will be held at Toamasina. The importer faces penalties, and the goods cannot clear customs until the certificate is obtained retroactively. This process adds significant delays and costs to the shipment.
- How is the LNM different from the BSC?
- The BSC (Bordereau de Suivi des Cargaisons) is a cargo tracking note filed before shipment. The LNM is a physical inspection certificate issued at origin confirming cargo integrity. Both are mandatory for Madagascar imports, but they serve different purposes and are issued by different bodies.
- Can my freight forwarder handle the LNM on my behalf?
- Yes. Most experienced freight forwarders manage the LNM application process as part of their service. They coordinate with the inspection body at origin, schedule the verification, and ensure the certificate is issued before the vessel departs.
- Does the LNM apply to re-exports or transit cargo?
- The LNM requirement applies specifically to cargo destined for final import into Madagascar. Transit cargo bound for another destination does not require an LNM. Re-exports through Madagascar may also be exempt depending on the customs regime.
Importing into Madagascar? Make sure your LNM is sorted before the vessel sails.
Send your origin port, cargo type, and sailing date. We will coordinate the LNM inspection, confirm the certificate is valid, and ensure it reaches Toamasina before your cargo does.