The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has replied Michael Blackson, an American-Ghanaian US-based actor who lamented the excessive import duties on goods shipped to Ghana.
Michael, on his Twitter page on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, posted that Ghanaians residing in other countries hoping to ship goods to Ghana should prepare to pay more import duties as the system has changed now.
If you are planning on shipping anything to Ghana, be prepared to pay a duty fee as high as the thing you shipped and if you don’t pick them up in a timely fashion they will auction your belongings. Why @GhanaRevenue ?
— Michael Blackson (@MichaelBlackson) December 7, 2022
Citing evidence for his claim, the comedian-actor said he has cousins in Ghana with no jobs and no income because the country lacked jobs.
So, he decided to open a store to solve the situation to assist the family.
“I purchased about $10k of items, and when they arrived thru DHL, customs said they will need to pay $10k to retrieve them. IT MAKES NO SENSE @GhanaRevenue,” he tweeted.
I have cousins in Ghana with no jobs and no income. Because the country lacked jobs, they wanted to open a store if I could help. I purchased about $10k of items and when it arrived thru DHL, customs said they will need to pay $10k to retrieve. IT MAKES NO SENSE @GhanaRevenue
— Michael Blackson (@MichaelBlackson) December 7, 2022
Reacting to Michael’s claim about their exorbitant duties, GRA explained that: “Ghana currently uses the Harmonized System (HS) Customs Code to classify goods. Tariffs are based on value (ad valorem) or weight or volume (specific) and are subject to change. Most goods, unless they are totally exempt from customs duties, are subject to an import duty”.
Ghana currently uses the Harmonized System (HS) Customs Code to classify goods. Tariffs are based on value (ad valorem) or weight or volume (specific) and are subject to change. Most goods, unless they are totally exempt from customs duties, are subject to an import duty,
— GRA (@GhanaRevenue) December 9, 2022
GRA also added that; “Value Added Tax (VAT), and certain other fees and charges. The import duty is assessed on the Cost Insurance Freight (CIF) value of the good. The VAT and other fees and charges are assessed on CIF + duty”.
GRA has indicated that any duties imposed on imported goods are backed by law, and they are just doing their work as an authority.
“Duty on imported goods is calculated based on what the Customs Law directs. We are only doing our job. If you have any evidence of extortion, report it anywhere you are comfortable,” the post by GRA added.
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