GRA warns against illegal use of foreign-registered vehicles to evade customs duties

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has issued a warning against Ghanaians using foreign-registered vehicles to evade customs duties and taxes through the Temporary Vehicle Importation (TVI) system. This warning came after the GRA observed an increasing trend of Ghanaians traveling to neighboring ECOWAS countries to purchase vehicles and subsequently importing them into Ghana under foreign registration to avoid paying applicable fees.

During a September 8 interview on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, King Godfred Akorligleh, a Revenue Officer at the National Vehicle Task Force, explained that the TVI arrangement permits eligible foreign nationals to bring vehicles into Ghana temporarily for a defined period. At the end of this period, the vehicle must either leave Ghana or the owner must apply for an extension from the Customs Division of the GRA.

Akorligleh noted that some Ghanaians were exploiting the system by importing vehicles under foreign registration and repeatedly renewing their temporary stay in the country. He explained that Customs may impound vehicles overstaying their authorized period, and owners might also have to pay administrative charges and penalties for the overstay, depending on the circumstances.

The GRA official emphasized that vehicles admitted under the TVI system are given a specific timeframe for their stay in the country. If owners need to keep the vehicle in Ghana beyond this timeframe, they must report to the nearest Customs office and apply for an extension before the authorized period ends. Vehicles remaining in Ghana beyond the approved period without the necessary extension could be impounded by Customs enforcement teams, with the decision to do so based on the specifics of each case.

Akorligleh cautioned against repeatedly renewing TVI permits when the owner was not eligible for the concession, as such practices undermine the Customs system and prevent the State from receiving the intended revenue from vehicle imports. He warned that if Customs determines the TVI system is being abused, the affected vehicle could be removed from the country.

The GRA is urging vehicle owners and users to adhere to the conditions of temporary vehicle importation and to seek the required extensions from Customs before their authorized periods expire.