Implement a 21-day no-parking period to reduce the costs of port activities

Company News of Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Source: ghananewsagency.org

2019-04-17

Importers and freight forwarders urged the government to put in place a 21-day demurrage free period for the clearance of goods at ports to significantly reduce the cost of port activities.

"While congratulating the Government for reducing import duties in Ghana's designated ports, I will ask President Akuffo-Addo to extend to 21 days the free clearance period of Demorrage in order to make the port very user-friendly for business, "said Daniel Kwadwo Yeboah, Operations Manager, Reliable Air Cargo Service, told the Ghana News Agency.

Vice President Mohamudi Bawumia announced the government directive at a public meeting organized by the economic management team
the reference values ​​of all imports from 4 April attracted a 50% reduction but a 30% reduction for cars.

According to Mr. Yeboah, delays and sometimes practical realities in the port made the seven working days too short and virtually impossible for customs clearance of the goods, hence the payment of demurrage that could be more expensive than the duties owed .

He added that some importers had been able to negotiate the extension of public holidays, but this could only be described as a privilege, adding that the effects would only be felt when they became enforceable.

He also asked officials of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority to work weekends and beyond 1,800 hours to improve customs clearance in ports.

Freight forwarder Frieght said that importers who used the port of Lome had 21 days off, making it more competitive than Ghana's ports.

He called on the government to step up education on the new import tariff regime so as not to create confusion among ordinary Ghanaians.

Demurrage is liquidated damages payable under a charter-party at a specific daily rate required to complete the loading or unloading of cargoes after the expiry of the posting period.