In a decisive move to clamp down on smuggling and ensure compliance with port regulations, Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) at Tema Port has announced its intention to soon double penalties on un-manifested vehicles that arrive at the port. The move aims at unscrupulous importers and clearing agents who fail to declare vehicles on official cargo manifests that non-compliance will no longer be tolerated.
Speaking in an interview with the B&FT, Tema Customs Sector Commander, Theresa Potakey expressed concern of the growing trend of illicit vehicle importation. According to her, un-manifested vehicles-those not listed on the ship’s manifest prior to arrival pose a serious threat to national revenue and undermine legitimate trade.
She issued a stern warning to the general public, particularly vehicle importers and clearing agents to desist from importing un-manifested vehicles into the country, describing the situation as unacceptable. “Sometimes when you open the container and see the way they are hidden, you realised that the main aim is to evade taxes and this is unacceptable,” she said.
“When these vehicles are seen, normally they pay a penalty. This time I am going to impress on our Commissioner General to double the penalty to deter them from bringing in un-manifested vehicles because it is assumed that these vehicles may have been stolen,” she hinted.
Ms Potakey noted her outfit will intensify surveillance and inspections at the port, reminding the importing public that they should do the right thing. “If you have a vehicle and you are bringing it in, do the right thing, manifest it on the bill of laden, pay the right taxes and we are all happy,” she noted.
