GRA to seize goods without tax stamps

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has served notice it will prosecute all businessowners who fail to comply with the implementation of the Excise Stamp Policy.

Defaulters will also risk a seizure of their goods for non-compliance.

The sanctions are however expected to be rolled out in April this year when the grace period would have elapsed.

Starting this year, all manufacturers and importers are expected to stick to hologram stamps on their products before they could sell to consumers.

This is also to ensure tax compliance and to improve government revenue.

Technical Adviser to the Commissioner at the GRA, Sam Akwesi Nyankyera, speaking to Class Business said they will involve other security agencies to help enforce the law.

He said: “We may first detain the goods and then the manufacturer or importer will then have to explain to the satisfaction of the Commissioner General why they don’t have tax stamp on it and if the explanation is not satisfactory which I presume will not be satisfactory, then, the detention may be converted to seizure.

“We are planning to also involve other agencies to help in the enforcement so those goods without tax stamps they may be liable for seizure. Now, the person involved, if he more or less conducted himself in such a way as to have infringed on any of our laws, then, he also might face sanctions depending on the provisions of the law.”