Customs reduces physical examination of containers at Tema Port

The Tema Command of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), says it has begun the implementation of the reduction in physical examination of containers at the port from the previous 90 per cent to 10 per cent.

According to the Sector Commander, Dr Godfred Okoh-Appiah, the command is however yet to implement the reduction in benchmark values on imports since it was not within their domain to do so.

Dr Godfred Okoh-Appiah told Graphic Online at the port on Thursday that although the Commissioner of Customs had called him on phone and tasked the Command to implement the policy, Customs Classification and Valuation Report (CCVR) on imports meant for clearance are often issued at the Customs Technical Services Bureau (CTSB) in Accra, as such, the Command has no control over the reduction in the benchmark values.

“Once the declarations are approved, we at the Command have no cause to question once we know the benchmark rules are established”, Dr Okoh-Appiah stated.

The Vice President, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia on Wednesday, April 3, 2019 announced a government’s policy to cut benchmark values for all imports by 50 per cent except duties on vehicles, which will be cut by 30 per cent.

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