We will continue to inspect goods in transit – GRA to GUTA

By Elizabeth PUNSU, Kumasi

Commissioner-Customs Division, Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Brigadier General Zibrim Ayorrogo has stated that Customs will continue to inspect already-cleared goods in transit when necessary.

Over the years, some importers and manufacturers – including members of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) in Ashanti Region – have expressed concern about the re-examination of cleared imported goods at the Kubease Customs checkpoint.

They argue that this practice causes delays and incurs undue charges, making it counterproductive. Additionally, they note that it creates cost differentials for businesses outside Accra… often compelling companies’ relocation to the national capital.

However, when answering a question during an interaction with journalists ahead of a familiarisation visit to Kumasi Customs Collections in Ashanti Region, the Commissioner indicated that this practice will not cease.

“The examination will continue. Once goods leave the port and taxes have been legitimately paid, no one has the right to stop them. However, when Customs officers stop and inspect a shipment, it indicates that there may be a concern.

More often than not, when a container is stopped and tagged we find issues such as undervaluation, excess items or misdescription.

In such cases, the Customs Division is justified in its actions. This will not stop today; it will occur intermittently based on intelligence when we suspect issues, prompting us to check the containers,” Brigadier Ayorrogo said.

While acknowledging that concerns raised by GUTA and the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) are valid, he noted that officers conducting checks occasionally miss certain details.

“These are legitimate concerns. When a container leaves the port in Tema heading to Kumasi, some clearance has already been completed. In some instances, there are irregularities at the port. In some cases, people are sleeping at the port.

They have their ways. We have a task force, and more often than not when these task forces encounter containers they find discrepancies. In that regard, GUTA also has valid concerns. This process will not stop; it will be ongoing,” he reiterated.

Brigadier Ayorrogo, added that the law does not prohibit re-examination of goods that have already been checked at the port. Such inspections serve as a necessary oversight by the Customs Division.

“If they inspect and find nothing amiss, the law permits us to conduct an examination. GUTA and Customs are effectively checking each other.

The business community should expect complaints when we stop shipments, regardless of whether they contain legitimate or illegitimate goods. However, the bottom line is that if we identify a problem, businesses must be patient and allow us to do our job,” he asserted.

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