The error rate in documentation and clearing of imports at the Tema harbour by clearing and forwarding agents is about 60 per cent, the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) has said.
The errors committed by clearing and forwarding agents include wrong assessments of duties, wrong spelling of names of importers and wrong quotation of code numbers, which result in the rejection of documents by CEPS computers.
Mr Fredua-Agyeman Boakye, Assistant Commissioner of CEPS in charge of Tema Collection, who expressed the concern at a press briefing, said most often the clearing agents are too much in a hurry and have to re-present their documents.
He said when all documents are correct, an importer could clear goods within 24 hours but it also depends whether he has completed transactions with other agencies like shipping lines or the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority.
Previously, CEPS was penalising clearing and forwarding agents for such mistakes by asking them to pay penalties but it has now been realised that the clearing agents pass on such cost to importers and subsequently to the consumer.
EPS has now established a tax examiners seat where all these errors are compiled and agents, whose errors are found to be too much for a year are suspended for sometime to undergo proper training in customs procedures.
Mr Boakye said CEPS has also created separate seats for transhipment and exports in the process to decentralise its work to speed up operations.
One main concern of CEPS is that importers and clearing agents do not present documents early enough for goods, which have to be physically examined before they are cleared.
He said sometimes goods already cleared delay for about two weeks before the owners come for them, even though, they might have paid all duties.
On the operations of the scanner at the Tema Port, Mr Boakye said CEPS has nothing against the scanner as is being speculated by some sections of the media to create the impression that customs officers were peeved by its introduction and the activities of the Gateway Services Limited (GSL).
Boakye said the introduction of the scanner formed part of the process of automation of customs procedures to reduce human contact and has enhanced operations and contributed significantly to the clearance of goods at the Tema port.
He said a final Classification and Verification Report (FCVR) is given by GSL while the final decision on the determination of value of goods and duties to be paid is taken by CEPS as mandated by the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
