The Greater Accra Regional Shipper Committee (GARSC) members have been advised to register under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Mr Fechin Akoto, Assistant Commissioner in charge of Trade and Tariffs at the GRA-CD, made this known at the first quarterly meeting of the GARSC organized by the Ghana Shippers Authority in Accra, on 24th March 2021.
Explaining the Rules of Origin under the AfCFTA, Mr Akoto said, exporters were supposed to complete and submit the AfCFTA export registration form which is free, to obtain a Customs Reference Code for all export transactions.
A joint team from the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI), the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA-CD) and the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI) were supposed to inspect the premises of the prospective exporter to verify and approve the products before a Certificate of Origin can be issued to the exporter.
Upon receipt of a Certificate of Origin, Mr Akoto said an exporter could proceed to process a Customs Export Entry to cart the products to the Port of Exit.
At the Port of Exit, he said, designated Customs Official was supposed to sign and stamp the Certificate of Origin, which would make the goods acceptable and legal at the Port of Importation.
Mr Akoto stated that, so far, 36 African countries had ratified the AfCFTA trade in goods and service protocols, however, each country must offer 90 per cent commodity liberation to allow any exporter to export certain goods and services to a particular country.
The AfCFTA has various reliefs for recognized exporters including import duties, exemption from import levy and ECOWAS levy.
The Rules of Origin are aimed at deepening market integration, fostering the economic transformation of the African Continent through industrialization, boosting intra-African trade and continental value chain.
