Importers have 60 days to clear vehicles

Importers of vehicles into the country have 60 days to clear them from the port, otherwise, they would be confiscated to the State, the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, Mr. Yaw Osafo-Maafo, (MP) said at the Tema Port on Thursday. Interacting with clearing agents and importers during his unannounced visit at the car park on Thursday, Mr. Osafo-Maafo emphasised that the current law on vehicle importation gives 60 days for importers to clear their vehicles and this should be made clear to all.

He explained that the law does not provide any penalty to be paid by importers where the Commissioner of Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) is allowed to use his discretion. This time, the law makes the elapse of 60 days for the vehicle for outright confiscation to the State.

Mr. Osafo-Maafo, accompanied by Brigadier Richard Baiden Commissioner of CEPS, and Mr. Ben Owusu-Mensah, Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), who toured the car park pointed out that the old law that gave "some discretions to CEPS Commissioner has been axed".

He conceded that the new law has not been well publicised, that is why importers come in, wait until after 60 days and expect some form of penalty from the Commissioner.

He therefore, advised that CEPS should ensure that enough publicity is given, including sending the law on the internet, adding, "it was parliament that passed the law and we can't go against it."

At the State warehouse outside the port where confiscated vehicles are housed, Mr. Osafo-Maafo was told that since August last year when some confiscated vehicles were auctioned in public, there has not been any such sale.

The Minister was not happy about the uncoordinated way in which confiscated cars are received at the warehouse and said this gives room for some people to steal vehicle parts.

A report was made by an officer where a car, which was sent to the warehouse had its engine stolen which surprised the minister, and made him to remark that "with all the security men here, if you allow such a thing to happen them it is most unfortunate."

Mr. Osafo-Maafo suggested that confiscated cars being sent to the warehouse should have their conditions stated and documented with the necessary signatories for their conditions before they were brought to be known. He said there should be regular auction of vehicles that are confiscated by the State so that pilfering of parts could also be reduced to the barest minimum.