MyJoyOnline

GUTA kicks against Cargo Tracking Note system

GUTA kicks against Cargo Tracking Note system

The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) has called for the suspension of the Cargo Tracking Note System at the ports.
 
GUTA believes the system which has been re-introduced by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) was not properly communicated to the stakeholders involved.

President of GUTA Joseph Obeng described the system as one being forced down the throat of shippers.

 ‘‘More confusing is the vice that the vice president in his wisdom suspended the implementation of the CTN on 28th May 2018 only for same to be publicized by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) of its implementation effective from 1st July 2018 without regard for the concerns of relevant stakeholders.’’ He said

Mr Obeng added, ‘‘It should be well noted that the fact that methods and systems keep changing and being experimented on without on without seeming success means that, our policymakers do not take the trouble to dissect and understand the viability of the system’’

GUTA lamented that the business community is already overburdened and this will obviously affect the cost in running their business.

He said, ‘‘We the Business community can no longer sit and contend with the very unpredictable environment that has been nurtured by what seems to us as policy experimentation not well thought through; the tax stamp, fumigation, UNIPASS, Easy pass, CET and now the CTN comes readily to mind.’’
 
GUTA is not the only group that has kicked against this system as the Ghana Institute of Fright Forwards (GIFF) earlier this month did same and even threatened to take legal action against the GRA.

Cargo Tracking Note

The Cargo Tracking Note, CTN is a platform by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) for collection and management of commercials and logistical information relating to the cargo and ship from port of loading.

The platform would allow shipments to Ghana (transit cargo included), Shippers/Exporters/Forwarders at the various Ports of Loading around the world obtain a validated CTN number using the global online platform provided and submit same together with Shipping Instructions (SI) to their Shipping Lines. 

Each Bill of Lading is also required to be covered by a valid CTN number.

Shipping Lines are required to insert the unique CTN number on both the Bill of Lading and Cargo Manifest and Shipments not covered by a valid CTN number will not be cleared through Customs in Ghana and fines may apply.

The CTN is expected to provide data to Ghana Customs and other stakeholders well in advance to enable Cargo Review Processes in a manner that ensures the Generation of key prior shipment in “real time” to effectively Control, Supervise and Manage import traffic into Ghana.

The platform among other reasons aims to Safeguard and facilitation trade in order to significantly reduce the turnaround time for Cargo Clearance which in turn will allow importers to avoid the payment of heavy demurrage fees and generally reduce the cost of doing business.

The GRA says the introduction of CTN is in furtherance of the drive to modernize its operations for facilitation of legitimate trade in line with international best practices.

Original Story on: MyJoyOnline
Scroll to Top