The customs house agent proficiency training program which is annually organised by the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) is underway and is expected to last for about 40 days starting from the 6th of June to the 29th of July.
Speaking at the opening ceremony to participants in a speech read on his behalf by Deputy Commissioner, Post Clearance Audit, Mr. Isaac Crentsil, the Commissioner Of Customs, Mr. John Vianney Kuudamnuru, extended a warm welcome to all participants who were from all parts of the country and reminded them of their core mission at the training program which was for them to be trained in order to compliment the efforts of customs in giving the best of services to shippers and traders.
“Customs brokers generally act as an intermediary between traders and customs in the customs clearance processes. Brokers’ knowledge of customs laws and processes in addition to their work experience in the trade supply chain can be very useful for both traders and customs. While brokers support traders by providing all necessary documentation and undertaking formalities related to cargo clearance. Customs brokers are also expected to maintain government interest by ensuring compliance with customs and other regulatory requirements and the payment of appropriate duties and taxes” he said to poised participants.
According to the commissioner, training of customs brokers will enhance the supply chain safety and security which will see to it that illegal trading is avoided.
“Supply chain safety and security remains an important target. Hence communication between customs and brokers should be open and transparent in this regard. Customs brokers can also be administrations first line of defence against illicit trade” he said
The training is expected to see participants undergo instructions in customs act, act 2015, act 891, harmonized system, duty drawback, warehousing, single window concept, PAARS, hands on training in PAARS, risk management, calculation of duty and other taxes, taxation, GICCs and modules, frontend software, customs valuation, export, re-importation, free zones, transit and transhipment, ethics and conducts of a customs broker and offences, detention and seizures.
In his concluding remarks, the Commissioner called on all participants to take advantage of the wide range of subject areas to enrich themselves with essential skills to move with the current trend in customs operations and the international supply chain at large.
When Quizzed about expectations of agents, Mr. Crentsil revealed that it was expected that all discrepancies during clearance of goods will be reduced to the minimum and that there will be more professional brokers on the field to help with the facilitation of clearing cargo. He further revealed that the issue of agents being the cause of delays at the port will also be a thing of the past.
The training of 260 agents will be in two batches. The first batch will complete training on the 4th of July whiles the second batch completes on 29th of July. It is expected that another training session will be organized before the end of the year to give opportunity to interested individuals, businesses and government agencies.
By David Acquah
