The Tema Port Sector Commander of the Customs Division of Ghana Revenue Authority, Dr. Godfred Okoh-Appiah, has revealed that Customs have improved their systems to enhance their activities at the port.
He said this on the new interactive platform of eye on port which now allows the general public and customers of the port to engage with key players in the port community on issues pertinent to the industry live on national television.
In harmony with eye on port’s initiative to bring clarity to the general public of the specific roles of key industry players, the Assistant Commissioner of Customs described his outfit’s role as the state institution responsible to collect import duties as revenue for the state as well as control items that come in and leave Ghana’s borders.
“All that it takes for customs to access, collect and account for the taxes on imports at the ports, happens to be the key function of customs.
Then, when it comes to the non-revenue side, we also enforce laws governing prohibition and restriction in the country,” the Assistant Commissioner stated.
He educated the public that duties taken by customs is only a part of the total charges that importers pay for the general clearance of items.
According to the Tema Sector Commander of Customs, those specific charges are always evident in the customs declaration of which every importer should have access to. This he advised would prevent importers from falling victims to fraudulent clearing agents.
“Should the importer pay any money to agent, what is captured on the custom’s declaration and the various tax items are outlined on the declaration. The agent can print the declaration form and they are supposed to show it to the importer. You have to have evidence of clearance,” he revealed.
He said trade facilitation, which is among the functions of the division is achieved by peak risk management using modern innovations to ensure quick but thorough examinations of goods during clearance at the port.
“For the paperless system, there is no need printing custom documents here and there and be carrying them around. Everything is done electronically and all the agent need is custom declaration number and they can call any customs office to be attended to. Also, Customs, Food and Drugs Authority, Ghana Standard Authority, all join and inspect the goods.
The JIMIS is another innovation that reduces the inspection,” the Assistant Commissioner outlined.