Deputy Ashanti Regional Commander, Customs Division, Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Mr. Evans Teye Agbozo, issued a stern warning to importers and exporters regarding the practice of bypassing systems to evade paying required duties. Speaking at a seminar on Post Clearance Audit (PCA) organized by the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA), Mr. Agbozo emphasized that those engaged in such acts would be caught during PCA and held accountable for the differences in duty payments. The PCA process involves a thorough examination and verification of Customs declarations and related records after goods have been released from Customs control, aimed at ensuring compliance with Customs laws and regulations.
During the PCA, Customs authorities may review specific transactions or conduct random checks on a sample basis, scrutinizing relevant documents like invoices, bills of lading, packing lists, contracts, and financial records. The goal is to assess the accuracy and authenticity of the information provided by importers and exporters during the Customs clearance process. Mr. Agbozo highlighted the GRA’s commitment to combating malpractices in duty payments and ensuring that the appropriate revenue is collected for the State.
In her keynote address, Ms. Benonita Bismarck, Chief Executive Officer of GSA, emphasized the Authority’s mission to educate importers and exporters to avoid misunderstandings and comply with Customs PCA regulations while safeguarding the interests of shippers and ensuring the government receives the rightful revenue generated from business activities.
