Importers, Exporters urged to be involved in clearing processes

Read Comments Comments (16)

• THE GERMAN FACT 11 years ago

  BETTER TO TELL THE IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS TO CLEAR THEIR THINGS BY THEMSELVES NOT THROUGH THE AGENTS. OR THE DUTIES SHOULD NOT BE HIDE LIKE AS IT IS NOW, THERE MUST BE A OPEN LIST FOR EVERY IMPORTER OR EXPORTER TO KNOW THE C ...
  read full comment

  BETTER TO TELL THE IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS TO CLEAR THEIR THINGS BY THEMSELVES NOT THROUGH THE AGENTS. OR THE DUTIES SHOULD NOT BE HIDE LIKE AS IT IS NOW, THERE MUST BE A OPEN LIST FOR EVERY IMPORTER OR EXPORTER TO KNOW THE COST OF THEIR GOODS BEFORE THEY EVEN IMPORT OR EXPORT THEM, LIKE NIGERIANS DO:

  reply
• Efo Jato 11 years ago

  I agree with you.Why Gov. of Ghana didn't allow everyone who want to clear their goods themselves.JDM do something about this because agents are killing us,know 2016 is just arround the corner.GOD BLESS OUR HOMELAND GHANA.

  I agree with you.Why Gov. of Ghana didn't allow everyone who want to clear their goods themselves.JDM do something about this because agents are killing us,know 2016 is just arround the corner.GOD BLESS OUR HOMELAND GHANA.

  reply
• Myself 11 years ago

  If we are to declare all our goods correctly, our duties would be doubled. Some importers have deep connection customs and can get their duties very cheap. If you don't try to do the same then your duties would be so high tha ...
  read full comment

  If we are to declare all our goods correctly, our duties would be doubled. Some importers have deep connection customs and can get their duties very cheap. If you don't try to do the same then your duties would be so high that you would make huge loss when you clear your goods.
  
  Ghana customs must publish all the charges they charge which is over 15 or so. Destination Inspection Companies must also publish the prices of good and customs must do the same. Why don't they publish it. Importers and exporters must know how much their goods are going to be taxed; its just simple.
  
  Why should we pay a percentage of FOB to GCNet? Who are they? Why can't Ghana Customs handle this simple procedure. Ghana Customs must open up more about all their charges and why the values are in dollars and so high.
  
  Importers must be able to know how much tax they would pay before they even think of importing but at the moment, we are kept in the dark so custom officials can benefit. Its the Ghana system; all information is hidden or kept secret so the handlers of the information can chop some money, ow yes.

  reply
• MUNI 11 years ago

  WHAT ARE THE ROLES OF ALL THESE CLEARING AGENTS AT THE PORTS AND HOW MUCH TAXES DO THEY PAY TO THE GOVT? ITS SO RIDICULOUS ONE HAS TO GO THROUGH ALL THESE STUPID AGENTS TO BE ABLE TO CLEAR HIS/HER GOODS. WHY CANT THE GOVT TAK ...
  read full comment

  WHAT ARE THE ROLES OF ALL THESE CLEARING AGENTS AT THE PORTS AND HOW MUCH TAXES DO THEY PAY TO THE GOVT? ITS SO RIDICULOUS ONE HAS TO GO THROUGH ALL THESE STUPID AGENTS TO BE ABLE TO CLEAR HIS/HER GOODS. WHY CANT THE GOVT TAKE OVER SUCH JOBS AND HIRE DECENT PEOPLE TO OPERATE IT AND PAY THE FEES DIRECTLY TO THE GOVT COFFERS RATHER THAN THESE CROOKS. DONT FORGET THIS IS ONE HECK OF AN AVENUE TO GENERATE NATIONAL REVENUE.

  reply
• BOY KOFI 11 years ago

  Simplify the custom duties and reduce them to make Ghana ports competitive.The private sector will never grow if we charge too much at the ports.Please find out from Togo or Nigeria,you will understand what I am saying.Thank ...
  read full comment

  Simplify the custom duties and reduce them to make Ghana ports competitive.The private sector will never grow if we charge too much at the ports.Please find out from Togo or Nigeria,you will understand what I am saying.Thank you.

  reply
• dan 11 years ago

  YOU CANT BAKE THE CAKE AND EAT IT AT THE SAME TIME YOU ALL LAZY PEOPLE START DOING YOUR JOBS

  YOU CANT BAKE THE CAKE AND EAT IT AT THE SAME TIME YOU ALL LAZY PEOPLE START DOING YOUR JOBS

  reply
• KANAWU 11 years ago

  CAN I CLEAR MY GOODS AND PAY MY TAXES BY MYSELF WITHOUT THE CLEARING AGENTS?

  CAN I CLEAR MY GOODS AND PAY MY TAXES BY MYSELF WITHOUT THE CLEARING AGENTS?

  reply
• MENSAH 11 years ago

  IMPORTERS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO CLEAR THEIR OWN GOODS.
  
  In CANADA,the customs even encourages importers to do their own clearance,to speed up the processing.
  I have never used any clearing agent to clear my imported goods o ...
  read full comment

  IMPORTERS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO CLEAR THEIR OWN GOODS.
  
  In CANADA,the customs even encourages importers to do their own clearance,to speed up the processing.
  I have never used any clearing agent to clear my imported goods over here before.
  All that an importer requires is to know the UPC(UNIVERSAL PRODUCT CODE) OF EVERY PRODUCT AND THE DUTY TO IT.
  The rest,the customs could guide the client to complete.
  The higher and unnecessary charges of these clearing agents,add up to the overall cost of products on the market.
  THE COMMON MAN ON THE STREETS SUFFERS, THE MOST.

  reply
• ROGUE LAWYER 11 years ago

  PARLIAMENT SHOULD COME OUT WITH SOME MODALITIES FOR THE CLEARING FEES THAT SUPOSE TO BE PAID TO THE AGENT
  
  eg
  
  HOW MUCH SHOULD BE PAID TO AN AGENT FOR CLEARING ONE CONTAINER?
  
  how much to be paid to an Agent fo ...
  read full comment

  PARLIAMENT SHOULD COME OUT WITH SOME MODALITIES FOR THE CLEARING FEES THAT SUPOSE TO BE PAID TO THE AGENT
  
  eg
  
  HOW MUCH SHOULD BE PAID TO AN AGENT FOR CLEARING ONE CONTAINER?
  
  how much to be paid to an Agent for claering SUVA- which have to be in the catigory of all vehicles ranging capacity from 1.5-3.5
  
  how much to be paid to an Agent for Clearing a heavy duty truck?
  
  etc
  
  
  so the committee ask themself how Long does it take an Agent to claer a car, truck, or a Container?
  
  Then pescribe a Charge eg 40 GH Cedis for Container because it takes 2-3hours to be cleared
  
  30 GH cedis for Clearing a car becos it takes 2hours to complete the process
  
  so the list can goes on
  
  make These things public for transparency and friendly Environment to do Business in the Country.
  
  
  It is very important because it prevent corruption and over charging from the Agents
  
  2.-it help the Agent to get the correct fees for his Job done
  
  3 it brings about trust in the System
  
  all These Basic steps should be put in place for further development
  
  PARLIAMENT IS TOO LAZY ON THESE BASIC THINGS -even in USA; or Europ there are Basic rules for taking taxi-
  
  that there is a Price meter in the taxi- which read per Kilometer and the Price per Kilometer is known to everybody. so you can make your own calculation as Long as you know your covered KM-, you must pay before you step out of the taxi , luggages are not Charge separately becos it included the Service per the Kilometer.
  
  what i am trying to say is that parliment should wake up to put in place rules, regulations, and policies for the People to adhere to that is how to build a Nation

  reply
• Kwame Adeyepena 11 years ago

  Lawyer, I think your call for transparency in the charges of clearing agents has been answered. Parliament in 2012 passed a law mandating the Ghana Shippers' Authority to negotiate and publish these charges for the benefit of ...
  read full comment

  Lawyer, I think your call for transparency in the charges of clearing agents has been answered. Parliament in 2012 passed a law mandating the Ghana Shippers' Authority to negotiate and publish these charges for the benefit of importers and exporters. The Authority has already negotiated and subsequently published the charges in the media under the caption 'DO NOT PAY MORE'. You may check from their website (www.shippers.org.gh) for the charges and be guided accordingly.

  reply
• Clearing Agent @ Tema Port 11 years ago

  I will advice all of you after shipping and clearing your own goods at the port, to defend yourself at the law court if you have a court case. also treat yourself when you are sick, fly the plane your self when you get the th ...
  read full comment

  I will advice all of you after shipping and clearing your own goods at the port, to defend yourself at the law court if you have a court case. also treat yourself when you are sick, fly the plane your self when you get the the airport and dont forget to bury yourself when you die. i wish you all folks all the best. GOOD LUCK!

  reply
• Kwame 11 years ago

  Eliminate majority of tasks performed by humans and automate mundane routine tasks to speed up clearance and rid the system off rogues and corrupt officials.

  Eliminate majority of tasks performed by humans and automate mundane routine tasks to speed up clearance and rid the system off rogues and corrupt officials.

  reply
• VICKY LEE BENTON 11 years ago

  THANK YOU FOR THE INSIGHT.

  THANK YOU FOR THE INSIGHT.

  reply
• Kwame Dartey 11 years ago

  All Importers and Exporters are to note that the charges of Clearing Agents have been negotiated and duly published by the Ghana Shippers' Authority in line with the Ghana Shippers' Authority Regulations (LI 2190). The public ...
  read full comment

  All Importers and Exporters are to note that the charges of Clearing Agents have been negotiated and duly published by the Ghana Shippers' Authority in line with the Ghana Shippers' Authority Regulations (LI 2190). The publication in the national dailies is under the caption DO NOT PAY MORE. You may also visit the Authority's website at www.shippers.org.gh for the charges guide. You do not need to pay more.

  reply
• ben 11 years ago

  Dont blame the agents.The custom officers are corrupt including the Asistant Commissioner,Mawuse Esi Dadgo. And the Asistant Commissioner knows that. Even a custom officer whose duty is just to stamp the documentation,will as ...
  read full comment

  Dont blame the agents.The custom officers are corrupt including the Asistant Commissioner,Mawuse Esi Dadgo. And the Asistant Commissioner knows that. Even a custom officer whose duty is just to stamp the documentation,will ask you to pay for the service he/she is ofering.Why do you have to go to defferent buildings across the city to clear your goods.Can't all this so called departments be at one area or building.You guys act like you dont know what is going on.

  reply
• Emperror 11 years ago

  I read this piece as espoused by the 2IC, Customs Division of GRA with sadness. I am afraid to state that her call is misplace. Customs procedure is a whole faculty and even the very 2IC making the statement continues to educ ...
  read full comment

  I read this piece as espoused by the 2IC, Customs Division of GRA with sadness. I am afraid to state that her call is misplace. Customs procedure is a whole faculty and even the very 2IC making the statement continues to educate herself in matters in line with clearance.
  In today's climate that her superiors and other stakeholders are calling for paperless transaction, she is selecting the reverse gear.
  Duty/Taxes, levies and fees that are paid by the importers are according to existing tariff backed by law and are structure in a way that corresponds to the Harmonized System Code and Description of goods.
  There are steps that are taken prior the arrival of imported goods. Documents relating to goods are presented to destination inspection for procurement of certificate of value for customs purposes. This certificate is sent online from the destination inspection companies to customs through GCNet/GCMS which only Customs has access to. Any input that the agent will make which does not match with what is online, the bill of entry cannot be validated for further processing.
  We are preaching paperless so as to reduce personal contacts, she advocates for more people to go to the ports.
  Let us look at the number of people who are importing and exporting, if all of them are to go to the port, you can imagine the crowd.
  My advise to all the trading public is to seek the licenced Custom House Agents to handle their clearance for them.
  Every Licence Custom House Agent operates under standard trading condition. The have security in place upon all the consignments that they handle. Goods in transit bond, fidelity bond among others.
  My advise also is that all importers should be truthful in their dealings. They should declare exact transaction values, this is the surest way to have their consignments to be delivered timely.
  Thank you.

  reply