Freight forwarders kick against Jan. 6 benchmark, want reversal done in March

The Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GhIFF) has kicked against the January 6 deferment of the reversal of the benchmark value policy.

Chairman of GIFF Forwarder Johny Mantey, is therefore demanding that the implementation date should rather start in March to enable agents with goods on the high seas to dock.

The government’s start of the policy was to start on January 4 , 2022 but was deferred in the “last minute” to January 6 to allow the agents and importers with old stock to clear them.

Forty four items have been listed by the Ghana Revenue Authority to be affected.

On Tuesday and Wednesday there was confusion at the Port of Tema’s long room with many people unaware of the directives and the subsequent deferment.

The Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders are unhappy with the short notice.

Forwarder Mantey told TV3 ” You don’t spring this surprise on us . In as much as we agree that local industries have to be protected , we were hoping for further engagement on this”.

” We are not happy at all . The country has lost a lot revenue because of the confusion because many people refused to pay for the new charges. We think that a minimum of three months or more would not be too much to ask”. He stated.

By Richard Bright Addo|editors.3news.com|Ghana