Customs officer wants importers to use government warehouses

A Customs officer has appealed to importers to make use of government warehouses in the event that they are unable to or they do not have the means to clear their goods from the ports.

This is to save money or sometimes the loss of goods and services due to smuggling.

Mr. Felix Mante-Kodjo, Chief Collector out-door of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, said this at a forum on “Suspense Regime” for clearing agents, freight forwarders, stevedores and importers at Takoradi on Saturday.

He said warehousing one’s goods ensued that the capital of the trader was not locked up while small traders could hold large stocks of goods under the system and it also created convenience for the importer.

Mr Mante-Kodjo said export trade was also fostered by reason of reserve stock and freedom on trade duty and the importer may also have remission of duty due to natural loss as well as double security for the goods.

The “Suspense Regime” talks about free zones, transit, temporary importation and warehousing which forms part of the reforms introduced to maximize income for the state.

He said the suspense regime required that transactions were closely monitored and controlled to protect state revenue.

Source: GNA