Plan Ahead – GPHA to importers

The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has blamed the congestion that occasionally occurs at Ghana’s sea ports on lack of pre-planning financially by importers before ordering their cargo.

“Importers must pre-plan financially before importing their various cargo. In doing so, shipping becomes cheaper to consignees when the cargo is cleared on time,” Mr. David Songotu, Deputy Terminal Manager Tema Port, gave this advice to importers when he spoke at a one-day education-sensitisation forum organized for Automobile Distributors in Ghana at the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons in Accra.

Mr. Songotu said every so often importers delay in clearing their cargo when it arrives because they might not have the required finances to pay the required duties, and therefore cause congestion at the port.

“Shipping becomes cheaper to consignees and importers when their cargo is cleared on time,” he said.

The GPHA official advised importers to endeavour to understand the processes involved in clearing goods, and also ensure that they engage the services of genuine freight forwarders. “In sum, importers, agents, Customs and the inspection companies must understand that we need a swift delivery system to set the port free for the next consignment,” Mr. Songotu said.

On delays caused in clearing cargo from the Tema Safebond Car Park, Mr. Aaron Kanor, Chief Revenue Officer, reminded importers that it is mandatory for motor firms to furnish Customs annually with the price list of vehicles they import.

These, he said, include Home Delivery Value (HDV), Make, Model and address of the manufacturer. He however bemoaned the refusal of most motor firms to adhere to these requirements, and said: “By that reminder it will be appreciated if the motor firms comply with the advice, so that when the Final Classification and Valuation Reports are issued and brought to the main Car Park for confirmation of values, there won’t be any disagreement”.

Giving an overview of GSL’s operations, Mr. Emmanuel Addison, Assistant Operations Manager, Classification and Valuation, reiterated the company’s commitment to work and ensure that there is minimum delay in processing import documents.

Mr. Addison said to ensure that importers all over the country understand what is involved in the import trade, the company has taken the initiative to organise for a -- including regional ones in Kumasi, Takoradi and Sunyani.

“We believe that Destination Inspection constitutes a major aspect of income generation for the country. It is therefore necessary that everybody understands what is involved,” Mr. Addison said.