Customs intercepts under-declared container from China

Europa

September 19, 2017 10:59 AM

The container belonged to Semana Logistics Limited, which had allegedly attempted to evade import revenue to the tune of GH¢65,000.

The Tema Command of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has detained a 40-footer container which was under-declared by an importer.

The Assistant Commissioner of Customs at the Tema Port, Felix Mate-Kojo, said the importer and agent declared the container as containing Napsak Sprayer Machine for farmers, Cutting ring for cone crusher, Raw Crusher frame and bucket ears for excavator.

However, when the container was physically examined at the scanning section, it was detected to be carrying some other consignments which were not on the declaration.

Hundreds of mobile phones, batteries and other phone accessories as well as some communication equipment in the container, had also not been declared on the declaration document by the importer.

Mr Mate-Kojo said due to the misdescription, the agent paid 5, 850 cedis as duty.

“After having checked the container and physically examined the items one by one, the importer is due to pay about 55 thousand Ghana cedis in duty.”

The Assistant Commissioner of Customs at the Tema Port added that “as part of measures to ensure agents and importers declare the right duty at all times, there are penalty units that persons who try to outsmart the system are made to pay. To this end, the importer and the freight forwarding company would be surcharged to pay three hundred percent of the total duty plus the original duty. So in that case, this importer would now have to pay about 165 thousand Ghana cedis as penalty with an additional 55 thousand as duty.”

He warned that Customs will deal with any importer or freight forwarder who may be tempted to cheat the system following the implementation of the paperless system.

“Since the implementation of the paperless, some unscrupulous persons have decided to take advantage of the new system to misbehave and under pay their duty, but we shall clamp down on them and deal with them ruthlessly by naming and shaming all of them as well as punishing them to serve as deterrent to others” he said.

Enhance Your Pulse News Experience!

Get rewards worth up to $20 when selected to participate in our exclusive focus group. Your input will help us to make informed decisions that align with your needs and preferences.

I've got feedback!

Europa