Over GH¢800m to be saved annually – GUTA on new Container Administrative Charge

The Ghana Union of Traders’ Association (GUTA) has welcomed the Ghana Shippers’ Authority’s (GSA) announcement that, effective May 1, 2026, importers and exporters will pay a fixed Container Administrative Charge of GH¢550.

In a press statement copied to GhanaWeb Business, GUTA emphasised that the new cap will enable traders to save approximately GH¢802.5 million annually.

The union noted that the measure introduces transparency and stability in shipping costs.

“The GH¢550 limit will help traders. With this new rule, importers and exporters will save about GH¢802.5 million every year. The charge will now be in Ghana Cedis, not dollars,” the statement read.

Importers and exporters back GSA's cap on container charges

GUTA explained that traders have long endured unfair and excessive fees imposed by shipping lines and their agents.

It revealed that shippers previously paid about GH¢1.69 billion in Container Administrative Charges, significantly increasing the cost of doing business.

The union has therefore urged all shipping lines and agents to immediately adjust their billing systems to comply with the new directive.

It further warned that any entity charging above the stipulated limit would be in violation of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122), and subject to sanctions.

SA