By Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo, GNA
Tema, July 18, GNA – Mr Michael Adu Manu, Senior Revenue Officer at the Customs Technical Services Bureau (CTSB), Vehicle Valuation Unit, has advised vehicle importers and clearing agents to provide accurate vehicle information during customs declarations to prevent delays, demurrage charges and additional costs.
Mr Manu, speaking at a media forum, said many clearance delays resulted from incorrect information submitted by importers and their agents.
He said errors relating to vehicle models, body types, chassis numbers, engine details and other particulars often resulted in repeated queries and prolonged processing.
He, therefore, urged importers to obtain all relevant vehicle documents and verify the details before shipping vehicles to Ghana.
Mr Manu said where Customs requested photographs or additional information, importers should promptly provide them to facilitate accurate classification and valuation.
He explained that repeated corrections and back-and-forth communication delayed processing and could expose importers to demurrage and interest charges while vehicles remained at the ports.
Mr Adu Manu said declarations supported with complete and accurate information could, in many cases, be processed within 24 hours.
He also encouraged importers to take advantage of the Customs pre-arrival processing system by submitting the required documents before vehicles arrived in Ghana, saying the arrangement significantly reduced clearance delays.
He urged importers and clearing agents to pay close attention to vehicle particulars before lodging declarations to ensure smooth clearance and compliance with customs requirements.
The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has outlined the procedures for clearing vehicles imported through Ghana’s land borders, urging importers to comply with customs requirements to ensure smooth clearance.
Mr David Agyakwa Mensah, Senior Revenue Officer at the CTSB, Vehicle Valuation Unit, explaining procedures for clearing vehicles imported through land borders, urged persons importing vehicles through neighbouring countries to report to the nearest customs office at the border immediately upon arrival.
Mr Mensah said that Customs officers would first conduct a physical examination of the vehicle to verify the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), chassis number, make, model, engine capacity, fuel type and other relevant particulars.
He said importers would then be required to engage a licensed clearing agent, who would electronically submit the vehicle details through the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) for assessment.
He explained that after Customs completed the assessment, importers would receive a duty assessment, make payment through designated banks and subsequently take delivery of their vehicles.
Mr Mensah said new vehicle imports required supporting documents such as a commercial invoice, while importers of used vehicles should ensure all vehicle particulars were accurately captured during the declaration process.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo, GNA
[email protected]