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Importers and clearing agents have expressed dissatisfaction with delay in clearing goods at the various ports in the country exactly three weeks into the implementation of the Single Window System by Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

The clearing agents and importers further stated that there has been general delay in the issuance of Custom Clearing and Valuation Report (CCVR) since the introduction the Single Window system on September 1, 2015.

They also claimed many agents had not been issued with the CCVRs to clear their goods despite submitting their documents in the first week of September, which has amounted to demurrage.

The importers and clearing agents have therefore threatened to embark on a demonstration next week if their grievances are not addressed.

Some of the agents, who spoke to Business Guide, said the situation at the land borders and KIA is similar with regards to the backlog with the issuance of the CCVR.

Customs have directed agents and importers to clear goods through permits but we have not been issued any letter to that effect, we have been allowed to clear the consignments on permits which are valid for only two weeks, they said.

“At Aflao border, long room entries which require CCVR are being cleared on permits. The baggage entries are cleared using the landing account system.

“Elubo agents have received only five CCVRs to date since they were trained. Goods are being cleared on permits using the invoice value only, no bond is executed,” the agents disclosed.

They alleged that the land borders were using 2011 Transaction Database (TPD).

Authorities at Customs Division acknowledged some of the concerns raised by the clearing agents when Business Guide contacted them.

They gave assurance that challenges currently being faced in relation to the issuance of the CCVRs would be resolved soon.

The Single Window

Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) on Tuesday, September 1, 2015 began the implementation of the National Single Window system.

The system serves as a common platform for stakeholders to process their documents to facilitate trade and reduce the cost and time in import, export and transit trade.

Customs, under the Single Window, took over the classification and valuation function which was initially handled by the Destinations and Inspection Companies (DICs).