The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has called on the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) to take immediate enforcement action against shipping lines that continue to charge importers above the approved Container Administrative Charge (CAC).

According to the Association, the continued imposition of charges above the approved GH¢720 per Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) is in defiance of the GSA's directive and a recent High Court ruling that affirmed the Authority's regulatory powers.

In a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Samson Asaki Awingobit, the IEAG described the actions of some shipping lines as a direct challenge to Ghana's legal and regulatory framework.

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The Association said invoices in its possession show that some major shipping lines continue to levy charges several times higher than the approved fee.

"Regrettably, evidence available to the Association, including invoices issued by major shipping lines such as PIL and MSC, indicates that some operators continue to impose excessive and unjustifiable charges in blatant disregard of the Ghana Shippers' Authority's directive," the statement said.

It further added that Pacific International Lines (PIL) charged an importer GH¢4,000 as a Container Release Order fee on a single 40-foot container, while MSC Ghana Limited charged GH¢3,870.46 as an Administrative Import Fee on a single 40HC container.

"These amounts are more than five times the approved Container Administrative Charge of GH¢720 per Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) and constitute a clear violation of the Authority's lawful directive and the provisions of the Ghana Shippers' Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122)," the statement added.

The IEAG said the situation highlights long-standing concerns over the regulation of Ghana's commercial shipping industry.

According to the association, shipping lines have for years imposed arbitrary administrative charges that have increased the cost of doing business at the country's ports, with the burden ultimately passed on to importers, exporters and consumers.

The association further argued that continued non-compliance reflects years of weak enforcement by regulators, despite the passage of the Ghana Shippers' Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122), which was enacted to strengthen oversight and protect users of shipping services.

The IEAG is therefore demanding immediate enforcement proceedings against shipping lines charging above the approved GH¢720 Container Administrative Charge.

It also wants the GSA to apply to the High Court under Section 47 of Act 1122 to compel compliance, impose the necessary regulatory sanctions, ensure refunds of all excess charges collected from importers and exporters since the directive took effect, and publish the names of defaulting shipping lines.

"The Authority cannot afford to remain silent while regulated entities openly defy its directives," the statement stressed.

It warned that failure to enforce the directive would undermine the Authority's credibility and send a signal that regulatory decisions can be ignored without consequences.

The latest development follows a High Court ruling delivered on July 10, 2026, which dismissed an application by the Ship Owners and Agents Association of Ghana (SOAAG) and others seeking to halt the implementation of the Ghana Shippers' Authority's Regulatory Directive issued on May 11, 2026.

ANAS/MA

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