Tema Customs warns against smuggling of vehicles at Port

The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in Tema has issued a stern warning to importers and the general public against smuggling unmanifested vehicles through the port.

Speaking at the division’s first Joint Consultative Committee meeting of the year, Assistant Commissioner Theresa Potakey, who heads the Customs Sector at Tema, condemned the growing trend of concealing vehicles in shipping containers without declaring them on official cargo documents.

She noted that the issue is particularly prevalent at the MPS Terminal 3, where officers have uncovered several cases of undeclared vehicles hidden in ways that clearly suggest attempts to avoid paying duties.

Ms. Potakey emphasized that any vehicles found in violation would be seized, and their owners made to pay stiff penalties. She also hinted at plans to recommend a doubling of the fines to the Customs Commissioner and the GRA Commissioner-General as a deterrent.

Customs officials rely on the manifest—a detailed list of all goods on board a vessel—to monitor and regulate imports. Hiding items not listed on the manifest breaches customs regulations and raises red flags about legality, origin, and safety.

According to the Assistant Commissioner, Customs is committed to ensuring transparency and accountability at the ports and will continue to strengthen surveillance and enforcement operations.