The Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) has announced that time-related charges associated with delayed cargo delivery and clearance will be waived for shippers and stakeholders affected by recent downtime in the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS).
In a statement issued by the Authority, it said shippers and stakeholders will be exempted from paying time-related charges that normally apply when cargo clearance exceeds standard time limits.
The waiver comes as a relief to importers and exporters who faced delays in clearing goods at the ports due to the ICUMS technical issues. It also seeks to ease the financial burden on businesses affected by the ICUMS downtime, which disrupted port operations and delayed cargo processing.
“Consequently, where it is established that a shipper or other stakeholder incurred cost as a result of the downtime on ICUMS over the past two days and any other additional days that the downtime persists, the shipper or stakeholder shall not be required to pay those charges,” the Authority said.
ICUMS experienced significant downtime, leading to delays in cargo clearance and increased storage costs for shippers. Many businesses were unable to access or clear their goods on time, incurring additional operational expenses and affecting their supply chains.
The development has also resulted in delays in both delivery and clearance of cargo at ports across the country. In a recent statement, Ghana Link Network Services, the system’s operator, reported resolving the technical difficulty.
