Commissioner General of Ghana Revenue Authority, Emmanuel Kofi Nti has said that effective December 1 all Free Zone Shops will be made to pay duties on their goods.

According to him, some Free Zone Operators are taking advantage of the regime and diverting goods thereby competing with businesses who pay taxes on their goods. He said, the new directive will help the Authority monitor the diversion of goods by some Free Zone Operators.

“It has always been our suspicion that the regime was being abused , it is for this reason that GRA has issued an advert stating that effective 1st December 2018, Duty Free Shops will pay customs duty and taxes at the time of importation and apply for a refund” he said.

According to him, to effectively monitor the system and close all loopholes, operations of Duty Free Shops will be subjected to Comprehensive audit.

“We also want to state that the operations of all Duty Free Shops are going to be subjected to comprehensive audit” he warned.

The Ghana Revenue Authority has in recent times apprehended Duty Free operators trying to divert goods and therefore evading taxes.

“There is another case of re-exportation of goods meant for Togo back into Ghana involving some freight forwarding companies and consequent loss of revenue” the Commissioner General said.

According to him, all individuals and groups involved in goods diversion will be thoroughly investigated and punished.

He said, the Authority was determined to achieve the 2018 Revenue Target.

"Let me take this opportunity to warn the public that GRA is determined to use all legitimate means to achieve the 2018 revenue target and will therefore remove all obstacles militating against this objective' he noted.

Mr. Emmanuel Kofi Nti was addressing the media on the diversion of goods from free zone enclaves meant for exportation in Paga in Accra on Monday, November 12