Government suspends cargo fumigation levy indefinitely

Government has ordered the indefinite suspension of the proposed fumigation levy for shippers "after extensive consultation".

Government had proposed the policy, to fumigate incoming and outgoing containers.

The policy received a widespread condemnation from some stakeholders,with the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF) threatening to protest against it by flying a red flag at the port.

“After extensive consultation between the government and various stakeholders, the Economic Management Team has instructed that the proposed fumigation levy for shippers be indefinately suspended,” said a statement signed by the Information Minister, Mustapha Hameed.

The Importers & Exporters Association, freight forwarders as well as the shippers association, have complained about the high cost of production the exercise would have brought on their businesses.

They argued among others that cargoes are fumigated at the port of origin.

As a result, an additional fumigation upon arrival would increase cost and duplicate activities leading to possible delay in clearing goods.