• The shipping lines bring in cargo and release requisite documents to agents i.e. a. invoice b. parking list c. freight receipt.
• The destination inspection companies authenticate the documents and thereafter issue a final certificate of valuation report (FCVR). Stating the value of the consignment and the duty payable.
• CEPS undertake valuation of certain category of items and ensure that the correct duty is collected.
• GPHA facilitates the physical clearance process and ensures collection of rent and handling charges.

THE IMPORT CLEARANCE PROCESS>>

The Clearance Procedure involves the following stakeholders:

• CEPS
• Shipping Agents
• Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority
• Customs House Agents
• Destination Inspection Companies (DICs), and
• Receipts /Delivery Service providers.

• Original Bill Of Lading (B/L)
• Attested Invoice
• Import Declaration Form (IDF)
• Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC)
• Tax Payers Identification (TIN) Number

After securing the above documents, the Customs House Agent (Clearing Agent) will do the following:

1. Send the above documents to a destination inspection company (DIC) depending on the country of origin for Final Classification Valuation Report (FCVR) to be issued
2. Send a declaration electronically through the GC-NET to the Ghana Customs Management Systems (GCMS)
3. The CEPS/Agents then validates the declaration by stating the duties and taxes to be paid at the Bank, printout the declaration and effect payment of duties and taxes at ECOBANK or Ghana Commercial Bank
4. After payment, attach the bank receipt, the bill of lading, attested invoice, IDF and FVCR to a designated customs officer for verification
5. The Original Bill of Lading, Bank Receipt, Customs Declaration (Hard Copy), and/OR Delivery Order (relevant information typed on it by Clearing Agents) are sent to the Shipping Lines for cargo to be released.
6. After paying all administrative charges and demurrage, (where applicable) the Delivery Order or the declaration is duly endorsed and given back to the agent by the Shipping Line
7. Submit the released D.O as well as the customs declaration (hard copy) to the Receipt /Delivery Service provider/ port/ SCL and pay handling charges, rent, unstuffing and reshuffling charges (where applicable) Information on the declaration (hard copy) would be compared with the one on the GC-Net .If they agree then Cash Delivery Invoice (CDI) would be issued.
8. Proceed to the delivery bay for cargo to be located and positioned for customs physical inspection or go for scanning.
9. If the information on the declaration and what has been physically examined agree, the customs officer would release the cargo on the declaration (hard copy) and electronically send via the GC-Net to the GCMS that the cargo is released.
10. After this a Delivery Tally Sheet or waybill would be issued by Port /SCL to enable the cargo to be loaded onto a truck and exit the port.
11. Present all clearing documents to CEPs at the exit gate to confirm (using the GC-Net )if they have released cargo and copies of waybill (DTS) to GPHA Security and Police detailed at the gate to inspect and allow exit as appropriate.

THE EXPORT PROCESS

• Provide details of shipment to the forwarder i.e. Cargo type, volume, destination, shipping line, port of loading, vessel etc.
• Submit the following items to the forwarder for onward submission to CEPS
• Invoice showing unit price and total cost of the consignment
• submit an application to the Assistant Commissioner of CEPS for approval to load or stuff the container
• CEPS subsequently gives approval to load or stuff the cargo in a container
• The forwarder inputs all previously submitted information through the GC-Net
• The shipper has the discretion to choose a shipping line and based on this preference relevant details on freight costs, transit times etc are provided by the shipping line.
• After which a shipping note is issued
• Freight forwarder re-enters any additional information through gc-net and prints out the declaration
• Heads to the long-room verification desk where a compliance officer is assigned. The compliance officer verifies the declaration and assigns an examination officer.
• Inspection is conducted at the loading bay by the examinations officer, Narcotics board and national security, after which the container is sealed.
• A waybill from the loading point and a counter waybill is used for port entry and (GPHA/CEPS) at the export shed is notified. An invoice is raised for payment of handling charges and rent where applicable. This is paid at the GPHA revenue after which a shipping release is issued.
• The waybills together with a photocopy of the declaration are submitted to shipping line representatives to check whether the seal and container numbers are the same as those on the shipping instructions/note. a shipping release is then issued
• GPHA releases the CDI (Cash Deliver Invoice). this is submitted to CEPS by the agent
• CEPS subsequently write out the shipping release and refer it to the shipping line.
• An invoice is subsequently raised for payments of handling charges and certification to the shipping line
• The shipping line raises a provisional bill of lading after certification by the forwarder or shipper
• 72 hours after the vessels departure the original bill of lading is raised by the shipping line
• The forwarder/shipper returns to CEPS for post shipment clearance
• The original bill of lading is finally released to the shipper
• The procedure may have slight variations with different commodities.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND WASTE RECEPTION >>

Waste reception services are provided by the Tillbury Environmental Group (TEG), a private company.

In conformity with annex I of the MARPOL 73/78 convention TEG collect oily waste in the forms of Sludge, Fuel residue, Oily bilge water, Ballast water.In respect of annex V of the Marpol 73/78 convention TEG collects domestic and operational waste in the forms of Stowage waste, Food waste, General garbage generated via vessel accommodation.

Oil spill preparedness and response is provided by the port’s Estate And Environmental Department in collaboration on a broader scale with the environmental protection agency, Tema Oil Refinery and other related organizations.