It has come to the attention of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) that ‘Less than Container Load’(LCL) Importers from the Far East, particularly China, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are being levied a fee which is not in the GSA’s negotiated charges with Freight Forwarders as per the GSA Regulation, 2012 (LI 2190).
This illegitimate component on de-consolidators’ invoice issued to importers constitutes a ‘REBATE’ which they claim, is remitted to the Principal at their request. This Rebate may appear differently on invoices to importers, most notably “Port of Loading expenses”.
De-consolidators involved in this practice claim they only apply the levy on behalf of their Principals although importers maintain that all payments in respect of shipment of cargo have been paid at the Port of Loading (usually evidenced with documents).
The GSA therefore wishes to inform all Importers of LCLs from the Far East to advise their Suppliers to pay particular attention in their choice of Freight Forwarders for these LCL transactions.
Importers are to take note and advise their Suppliers in the Far East accordingly.
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