The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Tema sector, has issued a strong warning to importers attempting to smuggle vehicles into the country without proper documentation.
The warning targets a growing trend of unmanifested vehicles arriving at the Tema Port, especially through the Meridian Ports Services (MPS) Terminal Three.
Assistant Commissioner Theresa Potakey, Sector Commander of Customs at Tema, sounded the alarm during the division’s first Joint Consultative Committee meeting. The session reviewed port activities from the past year and addressed emerging concerns.
According to her, officers are increasingly uncovering vehicles hidden inside containers that are not listed on the cargo manifest or bill of lading. “Sometimes, the way these vehicles are concealed shows a clear intent to evade taxes,” she said. “This practice is not just illegal, it’s unacceptable.”
She revealed that Customs has been seizing such vehicles and warned that scanners at the ports are capable of detecting these hidden items. “I urge the public to stop importing unmanifested vehicles. Our systems are designed to catch them,” she stated.
Currently, importers caught in the act are required to pay penalties to reclaim the seized vehicles. However, Potakey announced plans to recommend that the Customs Commissioner and the Commissioner-General of the GRA double these penalties as a deterrent.
She further questioned the motives behind such concealment. “Why import a vehicle without declaring it on the bill of lading? If it’s not registered properly, how do you intend to use it legally in the country?” she asked. Potakey suggested such vehicles might even be stolen.
A manifest is a critical shipping document that lists all cargo on a vessel. It allows Customs to verify shipments, assess duties, and ensure compliance with import laws. Failure to include vehicles in this document is a violation that could carry serious legal and financial consequences.
