The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) says some regulated consignments remain uncleared because importers are still awaiting required Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) approvals, holding up subsequent customs and port clearance processes.
The delays, it said, are adding pressure to importers already facing high operational costs at the ports.
The IEAG acknowledged the FDA’s statutory responsibility to regulate food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, household chemicals and other regulated products entering the country, but said regulatory controls should not create avoidable bottlenecks in the clearance of compliant cargo.
“The IEAG therefore does not question the necessity of regulatory controls,” the Association said in a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Samson Asaki Awingobit.
“Our concern is that where a regulatory process becomes delayed beyond the expected operational timeline, the consequences are borne disproportionately by the importer and ultimately passed through the supply chain,” it added.
The Association explained that delays in obtaining FDA approval can prevent clearing agents from completing relevant customs declarations, potentially holding up duty payments, customs release, terminal release and the physical evacuation of containers.
With cargo remaining at the ports beyond applicable free periods, importers may also face additional terminal storage charges, shipping-line demurrage, container detention, handling and documentation fees, as well as higher financing and trucking costs.
The IEAG warned that these costs could eventually feed into the prices of imported goods as businesses seek to recover expenses they cannot absorb indefinitely.
“Importers are businesses. They cannot indefinitely absorb additional storage, demurrage, detention, financing, haulage and other logistics costs without eventually factoring those costs into the prices of goods,” the Association said.
It has therefore asked the FDA to immediately identify the cause of the reported delays and resolve any technical, operational or administrative challenges affecting the issuance of permits.
The IEAG also wants pending applications involving consignments already landed at the ports and accruing storage charges to be prioritised.
The IEAG also called for closer coordination between the FDA and relevant agencies to resolve technical challenges, clearer communication on delays and timelines, and relief for compliant importers who incur additional costs due to regulatory or system failures, stressing that effective regulation must go hand in hand with efficient trade facilitation.
