Port Process

STAKEHOLDERS

  • Ghana Revenue Authority - Customs Division,
  • Shipping Lines/Agents,
  • Ghana Shippers' Authority(GSA)
  • Customs House Agents/Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF),
  • Nick-TC Scan
  • Food and Drugs Authority (FDA)
  • Ghana Standards Authority (GSA)
  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • Minerals Commission
  • Narcotics Control Commission
  • Veterinary Services
  • Port Health
  • Plant Quarantine
  • Port Marine Police
  • Ghana Police Service (Arms and Ammunitions)
  • National Intelligence Bureau (NIB)
  • Office of the National Security Coordinator
  • National Security 
  • IbisTek - Takoradi Container Terminal (TACOTEL)

 

DOCUMENTATION

DOCUMENTS NEEDED ISSUING ORGANIZATION
  • Original bill of lading (B/L)
  • Certified invoice
  • Import declaration form (IDF)
  • Customs classification and valuation report (CCVR)
  • Tax clearance certificate (TCC)
  • Taxpayers identification number(TIN)
  • Delivery order
  • Permits and licenses

 

 

  • Validated Cargo Tracking Note(CTN)
  • Shipping Line
  • Shipping Line
  • Ghana Revenue Authority (Customs Division)
  • Ghana Revenue Authority (Customs Division)
  • Ghana Revenue Authority(GRA)
  • Ghana Revenue Authority(GRA)
  • Shipping Line
  • Issued by the following regulatory agencies where required:
    • Food and Drugs Authority(FDA)
    • Ghana Standards Authority(GSA)
    • Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)
    • Customs Chemists
  • Shipper/Exporter at Port of Origin
 
 

CUSTOMS EXCISE AND PREVENTIVE SERVICE (CEPS)

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division is mandated by Government to collect duties on all imports and exports. They promote the protection of revenue through the prevention of smuggling of goods across Ghana's borders. In addition, the Customs Division is a member of Ghana's security services. Thus, they have responsibility to protect the boundaries of Ghana by preventing external aggression and maintaining the territorial integrity of Ghana. Import and export restrictions and prohibitions are supervised by the Customs Division. For further information visit: www.gra.gov.gh 


IMPORT CLEARANCE PROCESS
Customs clearance of cargo through the Port involves dealing with a number of logistics service providers and governmental bodies in order to fulfil all contractual and tax obligations that might be associated with the import consignment. The agencies include Customs, the Port, other receipt delivery service providers, shipping lines and agents.

Customs act 2015 act 891 section 43 enjoins all importers with the exception of Self-Declarants to engage the services of licensed Customs House Agents for the clearance of cargo at any freight station in Ghana.

The clearance process comprises:

  • Declaration of cargo data on to the UNIPASS-Ghana System
  • Customs Document Verification, System Validation, cargo Classification and Valuation, Risk Assessment and quality assurance, payment of duty, cargo verification.
  • Release by the Shipping Agent,
  • Delivery by the Port and other receipt delivery service providers
  • Customs physical examination or scanning of cargo before cargo is allowed to exit the Port.

 

 EXPORT PROCEDURES

Exports are grouped into two main categories - traditional exports and non-traditional exports.

TRADITIONAL EXPORTS

Commodities that are grouped under Traditional Export are:

  • Cocoa Beans
  • Sawn Timber
  • Mineral Ore (e.g. unprocessed Manganese and Bauxite)
  • Fresh fish
  • Fresh yam

N.B. This list could change depending on government policy. Commodities that are grouped under Non-Traditional Exports are all commodities outside the Traditional Export List.

UNIPASS-Ghana System

UNIPASS-Ghana operates an electronic integrated customs management system (ICUMS) for processing trade and customs documents in Ghana. This network managed by Ghana Revenue Authority, facilitates the clearance of cargo from the Port. This service helps to reduce illegalities in tax payent an collection. The system provides complete audit trail on all imports and exports through the Port. For guidance visit: https://stakeholders.unipassghana.com/how-to 

Clearing and Forwarding Agencies

Port of Takoradi has available experienced and dedicated clearing and forwarding agents for the professional handling of all cargoes through the Port. For further information , the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders can be contacted through their email and website at:

Email: giff@ghana.org or giff@ghanafreightforwarders.org 

Website: www.ghanafreightforwarders.org/