Many car importers and clearing agents in Ghana have abandoned their vehicles imported through the nation’s seaports because of the prohibitive cost imposed by the customs service.
A member of the used car importers, Mr Frank A. Kofigah speaking to the media disclosed that, the rate of corruption at the ports is partly attributed to the hike in benchmark value on cars shipped into the country.
According to him, duties charged on products sometimes cost more than the goods being shipped which discourages importers from paying the revenue.
He explained that importers tend to employ alternative means which include corrupt activities to prevent paying enormous taxes to clear imported goods.
” Our members are going up and down from the Ministry of Trade to Customs headquarters trying to fight for the reduction of value in import duties. Currently, the duty for a Toyota Yaris cost Ghc37,000. A year ago, the value of the same car was about Ghc35,000. The cedi is devaluing at a very fast rate and we have some Customs officers who are cashing in on this,” He said.
Story by : Janelle S. Jones
