The full implementation of the Importers Declaration Form (IDF) on the Pre-Arrival Assessment Reporting System (PAARS) took off fully on Monday 18th April and will run concurrently with the eMDA portal for about two weeks.
Two weeks ago, The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) begun a series of training sessions for declarants to school them on the new IDF on PAARS.
This move is to take off pressure from the eMDA on the Ghana Community Network Services Limited (GCNET) and also streamline the roles both electronic platforms play in the smooth operations of government activities.
The IDF which was formerly accessed on the Ghana Community Network Services Limited, Electronic Ministries, Departments and Agencies (GCNet eMDA) platform will run concurrently with the IDF on PAARS for two weeks and will then be cut off permanently to give way for the IDF on PAARS to run fully.
GCNet MDA is part of the single electronic window Ghana TradeNet application for online submission, processing, approval and distribution of a wide range of trade related documentation by ministries, departments and agencies. Users of GCNet MDA be they importers, exporters, clearing agents, logistics companies etc. can interact with the various MDA’s involved in the clearance process. Users may submit applications, receive and respond to queries, submit supporting documents and track the progress of their applications.
IDF is Customs entry for imports, made and submitted by an importer or by an agent or broker on the importers behalf.
PAARS allows importers and exporters to submit their documents for assessment and Customs Classification and Valuation Report (CCVR) issuance before the arrival of the cargo at the port.
It is expected that declarants and all stakeholders will make the transition of IDF from the eMDA platform a success. All this forms part of the Ghana National Single Window project which seeks to facilitate trade and provide the platform for an integrated clearance process to minimize the human factor as much as possible and to a large extent help to reduce the processing time for trade documents.
By David Acquah
