Ghana Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in ghana, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Import Requirements and Documentation
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The following are the specific steps required to import a good into Ghana: 

1.     Obtain registration certificate from the Registrar General’s Department. 
2.     Importer or importer’s agent submits an Import Declaration Form from the MOTI, manually or electronically (GHS 5). 
3.     For Ghanaian Food and Drug Authority (FDA)-regulated products (certain food products, cosmetic, and drugs), the importer/agent applies to the FDA to register as an importer and to register the product to be imported via ICUMS for an FDA import permit, valid for one year. There is an importer fee of 0.8% for food, 1.8% for drugs, and 0.5% for cosmetics. For other agricultural products, the importer or agent must register with the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD) as an importer and apply for an import permit. For other regulated products, the importer must obtain a permit or license from the competent ministry/agency/department. A product can be on both the FDA and PPRSD lists. For other regulated products, the importer or agent must register as an importer with the Ghana Standards Authority. 

4.     Importer or agent obtains a Tax Clearance Certificate from the GRA, issued in the name of the importer. 
5.     Importer or agent submits an electronic application for Bill of Entry and uploads the supporting documents in ICUMS. 
6.     Shipping company submits the manifest to GRA Customs. 
7.     Importer or agent submits the Customs Declaration via ICUMS. 
8.     Importer or agent makes payment of duties and charges to an authorized dealer bank. 
9.     Consignment is inspected by the GSA and the FDA or the PPRSD/Veterinary Service Directorate if required, as well as by a   Customs Examination Officer and a Customs Chemist Analyst. 

10.     Once all the charges have been paid, the merchandise is cleared by GRA Customs. 
11.     Importer or agent pays fees and obtains a vehicle toll pass and a waybill from Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority (GPHA). 
12.     Terminal clerk cross-checks and confirms that the correct fees have been paid. 
13.     Customs Preventive Officers check the documents, and then release the goods. 
14.     National Security official checks documentation to ensure that the correct cargo exits port.

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