FAQ'S
FAQ ON TGL OPERATIONS
WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I REQUIRE TO INITIATE THE CLEARING OF MY GOODS?
You require proforma invoice or commercial invoice; original bill of lading; packing list, importers Tax identification number (TIN). Depending on the nature of the cargo being imported if food item or otherwise you will also need to obtain relevant registration/permit from MDA like the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA); Food and Drugs Authority(FDA); Ghana Standards Authority(GSA) etc
HOW LONG DOES CLEARING USUALLY TAKE?
Duty paid goods on direct clearing would usually take between 1 and 3 working days after duty payment and customs compliance done. Non duty paid goods destined for a bonded warehouse would take about 3 to 5 working days after 1% fee payment.
WHAT IS CTN AND IS IT MANDATORY FOR CLEARING?
CTN means Cargo Tracking Number. It is a requirement for all cargo being imported into Ghana. It is a number that your shipper obtains from the CTN website at the port of loading while processing your export.
WHAT IS ETA?
ETA stands for Estimated Time of Arrival and is a shipping term reflecting when a vessel is anticipated to arrive at a port of discharge give or take a few days
EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DEMURRAGE AND RENT?
Demurrage is a daily charge the shipping line imposes on an importer after 7 freedays counting from when the container is discharged from the vessel. Rent is the daily charge a terminal imposes on the importer for keeping your container in their terminal until same is cleared
HOW DO I PAY MY DUTY?
All Import duty are payable by cash or bankers draft made out to CEPS Ghana and payable at the Longroom branch of the Ecobank or GCB banks. You could also use your local cheques for these two banks if applicable.
WHAT IS CCVR?
CCVR stands for Customs classification Valuation report. It is the document customs issues after assessing your commercial invoice and packing list and indicates your accepted values based on which your duty is to be calculated.
WHAT IS HS CODE?
HS codes are essentially the language of international trade. They are the numerical codes that describe “what” is being shipped to and from countries worldwide, and they form the basis upon which all modern customs management systems operate. The first 6 digits of the HS are used universally. Each country may then add to the original 6 to suit its own tariff and statistical needs, creating 8, 10, and sometimes 12 digit national codes. HS codes are used by companies to comply with trade regulations, to calculate the true and total landed cost of imported articles and components, to identify selling and sourcing opportunities abroad, and to link the procurement and compliance elements of the supply chain.
DO HS CODES EVER CHANGE?
Yes, they can and do get revised. With the thousands of codes available staying on top of revisions is essential.
WHAT IS EXPORT AND DO I PAY DUTY FOR EXPORT?
Businesses that sell their goods and services to customers in other countries are exporting them – they are producing them in one country and shipping them to another. Exporting is one way that businesses can rapidly expand their potential market. There is no duty applicable for exports in Ghana
WHAT DO I REQUIRE FOR MY EXPORT?
You require a Letter of Commitment (LOC) indicating the amount expected to be repatriated. The shipper also has to provide Commercial invoice, packing list and possibly a Ghana certificate of Origin for goods manufactured in Ghana.
WHAT IS CONSOLIDATION?
A method of shipping whereby an agent (freight forwarder or consolidator) combines individual consignments from various shippers into one shipment made to a destination agent, for the benefit of preferential rates. The consolidation is then de-consolidated by the destination agent into its original component consignments and made available to consignees. Consolidation provides shippers access to better rates than would be otherwise attainable. Also called groupage.
WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HOUSE BILL OF LADING (HBL) AND A MASTER BILL OF LADING (MBL)?
A Bill of Lading maybe issued as a House Bill of Lading or a Master Bill of Lading.A House Bill of Lading (HBL) is issued by an NVOCC operator, or a Freight Forwarder to their customers.
A Master Bill of Lading (MBL) is issued by the Shipping Line (Carrier) to the NVOCC Operator, or Freight Forwarder.
WHAT IS PICK UP?
Pick up is the process whereby you can instruct Transglobal Logistics to arrange for the collection of your cargo from your supplier anywhere in the world and arrange to ship same to any destination of your choice including Ghana and deliver to your specific warehouse while you relax in the comfort of your sitting room. Call us on 0303 202222 for more enquiries on this.
