Minority demands permanent scrapping of GSA’s $300 PVoC charge on imported vehicles
The Minority in Parliament has called on the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) to permanently scrap its Pre-shipment Verification of Conformity (PVoC) requirement for imported vehicles, arguing that the policy would impose an additional financial burden on vehicle importers and ultimately increase costs for consumers.
Ghana's Minority in Parliament has urged the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) to permanently eliminate its proposed Pre-shipment Verification of Conformity (PVoC) requirement for imported vehicles. Michael Okyere Baafi, Ranking Member of the Trade and Industry Committee, contends that the policy would hike costs for importers and consumers.
Speaking to the media on October 8, Mr Baafi stated that Ghana imports over 100,000 vehicles annually, with 70-80% being used and overage vehicles. The proposed requirement, which entails a $300 verification fee, would impose an extra burden on importers already grappling with rising costs and challenges at the ports. According to Mr Baafi, importers would need to hire an agent to verify their vehicles before shipment to Ghana and pay the $300 fee before receiving a certificate.
He argued that the additional cost would ultimately be passed onto consumers via higher vehicle prices. Mr Baafi emphasized that the GSA should not merely suspend the policy but withdraw it entirely, as a suspension could leave room for its reintroduction later. He noted that existing mechanisms were in place to determine if vehicles entering the country were stolen and questioned the necessity of an additional verification process that would raise costs.
The Minority leader emphasized that the proposed charge would add to import duties and other expenses associated with bringing vehicles into the country. He highlighted that Ghana's vehicle assembly industry remains limited, meaning many middle-class Ghanaians continue to rely on imported vehicles. Mr Baafi questioned how importers already struggling with business costs would manage another mandatory payment.
He also cited complaints from traders, vehicle importers, and freight forwarders about taxes, levies, port congestion, and the overall cost of doing business. Mr Baafi tied the issue to the New Patriotic Party's plans, noting that former Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia had promised to scrap the policy if the NPP returned to power. The Minority pledged to continue pushing for the permanent withdrawal of the PVoC requirement.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
