General Guide

IMPORT CLEARANCE PROCESS AT THE SEAPORTS


The introduction of the GCNet electronic clearance system in September 2003 was a welcome development for shippers and custom house agents alike, as it cut down the clearing time substantially and allowed for on-line exchange of trade information.

Unfortunately, in recent times there have been complaints about the abuse of the customs clearance system which is quite disturbing. This has prompted the Ghana Shippers’ Authority to take measures to ensure that shippers are well informed about the demands and the requirements of the customs clearance system and procedures involved.

This publication is therefore intended to serve as a guide in the conduct of cargo clearance in the Sea Ports.

IMPORTERS’ GUIDE


Appoint a licensed Custom House Agent (clearing agent) with a credible reputation who will do the following on your behalf:

1. Submit the Invoice, Import Declaration Form (IDF), Parking List and a copy of the Bill of Lading (on or before arrival of vessel) to the designated Destination Inspection Company (DIC) for processing of Final Classification and Valuation Report (FCVR).

2. Pick up the FCVR from DIC.

3. If you are an importer of a used vehicle, submit Bill of Lading, Certificate of Title to CEPS for the determination of value.

4. Obtain a Tax Identification Number (TIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), if you are a first time importer.

5. Submit a declaration electronically to Customs through the GCNet Computer Front-end.

6. Ensure that all the fields on the declaration are completed with accurate data.

7. Print out the Response from the GCNet Computer Front-end and effect payment of appropriate duty and taxes at either Ghana Commercial Bank or ECOBANK.

8. Attach the bank payment receipts, Bill of Lading, Invoice, IDF, FCVR, to the designated CEPS compliance officer in the Long Room for Verification.

9. Submit to the Shipping Line/Agent a hard copy of the declaration, original bill of lading, bank receipts and all the other relevant documents as well as a completed Delivery Order (DO) for either first or final release, as the case may be.

10. Deposit green copy of DO, hard copies of declaration and bank receipts with GPHA Revenue or other Freight Stations as appropriate, for assessment and payment of handling charges.

11. Deposit the green copy of the DO with GPHA operations or the appropriate Freight Station for the container to be dropped within 24 hours at the designated bay for physical examination (if required), after which CEPS allows delivery.

12. Arrange a truck to convey cargo from the port/freight station.

13. Waybill will then be issued by the appropriate freight station upon presentation of green copy of DO, hard copy of declaration and bank payment receipts.

14. Present declaration and accompanying documents with the cargo to CEPS at the exit for final clearance. Freight Station security also checks the waybill covering the goods.

15. Make all documents available to the Police, CEPS or National Security, only on request, for inspection after exiting the freight station.

Scan Option

1. If your container is to be scanned, then deposit the declaration, Do and the Interchange (evidence of dropping container on the truck) at the CEPS Office within the Scanning Area.

2. Pick up your scan number (Appointment Sheet) from the Scan Operations office and wait for your turn.

3. Present the Appointment Sheet to the Check–In Agent at the entrance of the scanner.

4. Confirm final clearance of container after the scan at the CEPS Office.

CAUTION


1. Do not deal with an unlicensed clearing agent. Common traits of such agents are as follows:

· They have no offices (under-tree operators).

· They have no identification cards that link them to any recognised clearing company.

· They promise short delivery times.

· They promise lower duties.

· They have lower clearing charges.

2. Do not accept any offers to prepare fresh invoices locally, to either underestimate values or mis-describe goods.

3. Do not connive with any Clearing Agent, Shipping Lines/Agent, or any other operator to carry out any fraudulent transactions.

4. Do not offer Freight Station equipment operators money to induce them to deliver the services for which you have already been billed.

5. Do not attempt to conceal goods during physical examination. Avoid paying the examination officer to “overlook” discrepancies in the manifested and landed cargo.