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Potential exporters looking to do business under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) are encouraged to register, as registration is free.
According to the Ghana Revenue Authority Customs Division (GRA-CD), low exporters (AfCFTA) are not required to pay any registration fee before being admitted.
He said potential exporters are supposed to download the registration form on the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) online portal and provide the necessary information for registration.
Fechin Akoto, Deputy Commissioner in charge of Trade and Tariffs at GRA-CD, told members of the Greater Accra Regional Committee for Carriers when they held their first quarterly meeting in Accra.
Mr. Akoto explained that exporters and the business public can also visit the Customs Technical Services Office at GRA headquarters in Accra for all export related inquiries under the AfCFTA.
In explaining the Rules of Origin under the AfCFTA, Mr. Akoto said, all exporters were supposed to complete and submit the AfCFTA export registration form, in order to obtain a Customs Reference Code for all export transactions. .
Furthermore, a joint team from the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industries (GNCCI), the Ghana Revenue Authority Customs Division (GRA-CD) and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoTI) were supposed to inspect the facilities of the potential exporter to verify and approve products before a Certificate of Origin can be issued to the exporter.
Upon receiving a Certificate of Origin, Mr. Akoto said that an exporter could proceed to process a Customs Export Entry to transport the products to the Port of Exit.
At the Port of Departure, he said, the designated Customs Officer was supposed to sign and seal the Certificate of Origin, which would make the goods acceptable and legal at the Port of Import.
The Deputy Commissioner stressed the need for exporters to know the Rules of Origin at their fingertips, since they are the legal norms that support the differentiated treatment of some goods.
In addition, the Rules of Origin aim to deepen market integration, promote the economic transformation of the African continent through industrialization, boost intra-African trade and the continental value chain, he said.
Mr. Akoto stated that, so far, 36 African countries had ratified the AfCFTA trade protocols for goods and services; however, each country must offer 90% commodity liberalization to allow any exporter to export certain goods and services to a country.
It noted that AfCFTA had outlined procedures for the resolution of trade disputes, so that an aggrieved exporter could file a complaint for an amicable resolution.
The AfCFTA has several exemptions for recognized exporters, including import duties, exemption from import levy, and ECOWAS levy.
— GNA
