The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) is calling on the Minister for Transport to convene an urgent stakeholder meeting to resolve an impasse over the regulated Container Administrative Charge (CAC) at Ghana’s ports.
The Association says reports of some shipping lines and their agents charging above the approved ceiling are increasing the cost of doing business and creating uncertainty for importers and exporters.
According to the IEAG, the current regulatory ceiling for the Container Administrative Charge, also known as the local handling charge, is GH¢720 per Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) for both import and export containers.
The Association says the directive remains valid and has been reinforced by the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, which has directed shipping lines and their agents to comply with the approved charge.
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra, the IEAG President, Samson Asaki Awingobit, said the association is concerned that some shipping lines continue to impose charges above the regulatory ceiling.
“The IEAG is concerned that reports of some shipping lines continuing to impose charges above the approved ceiling have the potential to increase the cost of doing business at Ghana’s ports, create uncertainty for importers and exporters, and undermine ongoing efforts to make the country’s ports more competitive,” the Association said.
The IEAG is therefore urging the Transport Ministry to bring all key stakeholders to the table, including the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, shipping lines, shipping agents, freight forwarders, importers and exporters.
The Association believes such engagement will help prevent the dispute from affecting port operations and international trade.
“We respectfully appeal to the Honorable Minister for Transport to convene an urgent stakeholder meeting involving the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, shipping lines, shipping agents, freight forwarders, importers and exporters, and other relevant port stakeholders to resolve the impasse,” the IEAG said.
The call comes as the Association also raises concerns over persistent container congestion at the Tema Port, which it says is contributing to vehicular and trade traffic within the port enclave and adjoining areas.
The IEAG is asking the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) to consider using some spaces currently leased to private businesses for the development of additional container terminal facilities when selected leases expire.
It says additional capacity could improve cargo handling efficiency, reduce congestion and facilitate the movement of goods and vehicles.
The Association has also called for stronger security at the port to support the government’s 24-hour economy policy, following what it describes as a recent isolated attack on transporters and individuals offloading cargo.
On digital services, the IEAG wants the Ghana Revenue Authority to strengthen its payment and digital platforms after a reported week-long disruption of government digital services at the port.
Despite these concerns, the Association reaffirmed its support for the Publican Artificial Intelligence Trade Solution, saying the system has improved customs valuation and revenue mobilisation.
The IEAG said the system increased assessed customs collections by more than US$300 million between the pilot phase and the rollout period ending July 17, 2026, while approximately 366,000 import declarations had been analysed.
It, however, wants authorities to strengthen the appeals process, improve the valuation database and deepen stakeholder engagement to ensure that legitimate importers receive timely redress in valuation disputes.
The Association says an efficient port system must not only protect national revenue but also reduce the cost of doing business, facilitate the movement of goods, enhance investor confidence and support economic growth.
