Ghana Customs Policy Guide

Abstract:

The specific content of Ghana's customs management regulations and systems can help you when conducting import and export trade with Ghana.

The Ghana Customs Act 1993 stipulates as follows:

[General Provisions on Import Management]

(1) Documents to be submitted when declaring imported goods

Original sea waybill or air waybill, verified export invoice, packing list, import declaration, import goods classification and valuation report, tax payment certificate, taxpayer identification number and other relevant licenses and qualifications.

(2) Customs clearance process for imported goods

①Importers need to register on the GCNet platform and then fill in the "electronic import declaration form" (eIDF);

②After the electronic declaration or SAD application takes effect, the importer pays the import tariff at the authorized bank;

③The importer submits the custody and tax payment certificate to the customs;

④Customs officers inspect and release the imported goods. The customs inspection methods for imported goods include scanner inspection and manual inspection;

⑤ The customs issues a customs clearance certificate to the importer

[Handling of overdue imported goods]

Ghana Customs Law stipulates that imported goods must go through tax clearance procedures within 45 to 60 days after arriving at the port. If they are not handled within the time limit, the Ghana Customs has the right to seize and auction them. However, before the auction, the Ghana Customs General Administration will issue an announcement through ASSEMBLY PRESS to publicize the name, quantity, consignee, carrier, transport ship name and container number of goods seized and auctioned by customs across the country. The owner can apply to the customs for customs clearance within 48 hours after the announcement is issued. After paying the customs duties, the customs can cancel the auction.

In 2013, Ghanaian President Mahama ordered the establishment of the Presidential Special Operations Group for Ports to cooperate with the Ghana Ports Authority, the General Administration of Finance and Taxation, the National Security Bureau, the Ministry of Transport, etc. to supervise the payment of customs duties, investigate and punish port violations, and solve port congestion.