In recent months, there has been widespread outcry among Ghanaians regarding the exorbitant costs associated with clearing goods at the ports. Numerous social media posts have surfaced, with users sharing the staggering amounts they have been compelled to pay, particularly when it comes to clearing vehicles.
In one post made in April, a user revealed the staggering number of 21 taxes they had to pay at the ports in order to clear their goods.
These taxes include Import Duty, Import VAT, Processing Fee, ECOWAS levy, Network Charge, Network Charge VAT, Network Charge COVID-19 Health, Ghana Shippers Authority SNF fee, Import NHIL, Network Charge NHIL, IRS Tax deposit, GHS disinfection fee, MoTIe e-IDF fee, Special Import Levy, Ghana Export-Import bank (EXIM), and many others.
Similarly, another social media user shared a video expressing their dismay after inquiring about the cost to clear a car they had purchased abroad for $2,000. To their astonishment, they were informed that they would have to pay a whopping $4,800 to clear the vehicle at the Tema Harbour. This significant disparity in cost has raised widespread concern and frustration among the public.
He said: “I bought a Ford Fiesta for $2000 and then I contacted an agent and asked how much it would cost for it to be shipped to Ghana and he said $1000. And then I contacted another agent at Tema Harbour to check how much it will cost to clear it from the ports. He said it would cost $4800.”
This has sparked several reactions on social media over the outrageous nature of the taxes being demanded at the ports.
GhanaWeb Business sources have revealed that in an attempt to dodge these taxes, traders are seeking other means of importing items into the country.