Fake invoices cause delay in clearing of goods

Most invoices presented to GSBV Limited, an inspection company, by importers are found to be fake thus causing delay in the issuing of the final classification valuation report.

Such invoices are doctored up to 50 per cent of the face value of the original one, Mr Fred MacBruce, Deputy Managing Director, told the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, when he visited the company on Wednesday.

The visit followed complaints by importers that some inspection companies have been delaying the processing of documents and clearing of goods.

He said when invoices are detected to be fake, the GSBV has to cross check from the exporter through its sister companies abroad to confirm the actual price of the goods together with the original copy of the invoice before the certificates are issued.

Mr MacBruce said because the company has no legal backing to prosecute, it normally hand over the importers to the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service.

He said it takes importers with genuine documents less than seven hours to clear their goods.

"Processing a genuine document and issuing of the FCVR is no problem to us at all. If there should be a delay involving a genuine document, then it might have been at the payment of fees at the customs point," Mr MacBruce said.

The GSBV is a joint venture between Ghana and France. The Ghana Standards Board represents Ghana side while Bureau Veritas represents France.

Mr. Fidelis Patrice Seddoh, who is in charge of Administration, said the perforating of invoices by some clearing agents also add to problems they face in processing documents.

He called for the re-introduction of the self-clearing system as a measure to stop the illegal acts of some clearing agents.

"Self-clearing system went to the background because the customs officials themselves frustrate the importers through intimidation but we can still revamp it."

Dr. Apraku also stressed the need to encourage individuals to clear their own goods to break the monopoly currently enjoyed by certain companies.

"There is no need to have clearing agents for importers. If the importer knows the laws and the procedures he should be allowed to do so."

The minister inspected the facilities at company's head office and the AFGO village.