Ghana Customs Sparks Outcry: New Rules Hit Travelers with Multiple Device Import Charges
Ghana's Customs Division warns travelers arriving with multiple mobile phones may face commercial duties, with more than two devices potentially classified for commercial use. Commissioner Aaron Kanor highlighted this regulation, urging travelers to avoid carrying excessive gadgets for others, as the high value of smartphones is a key source of customs revenue. The GRA is also automating passenger profiling at airports to enhance efficiency.
Travelers returning to Ghana with multiple new electronic devices, particularly mobile phones, may now be subject to commercial duties upon arrival at the airport. This alert comes from Aaron Kanor, Commissioner of Customs at the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), who emphasized that carrying more than two mobile devices could be classified as commercial use, triggering the application of relevant taxes and duties.
During a briefing with journalists after an airport tour, Commissioner Kanor clarified the rationale behind these regulations. He explained that while an individual is typically entitled to carry one, or possibly two phones—one for themselves and perhaps one for a spouse—any quantity beyond this threshold is likely to be deemed commercial. He strongly cautioned against the common cultural practice in Ghana where travelers often carry multiple phones on behalf of friends or family, stating, "When you carry all those seven phones and you arrive, it will amount to commercial." He further added that if items collected from others exceed two, they will be considered commercial.
The Commissioner further underscored that premium smartphones, such as iPhones and Samsung devices, represent significant value. This high value makes them a crucial source of customs revenue, aligning with the GRA's mandate to generate national income. "Because all these phones are expensive. Look at iPhone, Samsung, they are very expensive phones. And that is where we can get our revenue,” he noted.
In parallel with these clarified regulations, the Customs Division of the GRA is actively working towards fully automating passenger profiling at Ghana's airports during arrivals. This transformative initiative is designed to streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and mitigate delays traditionally caused by physical customs checks. Commissioner Kanor highlighted that these measures are consistent with international customs standards, which mandate the declaration of such items by their owners. The automation project forms a vital part of the broader transformation efforts within the GRA, aiming to modernize customs operations and ensure smoother, quicker clearance for legitimate travelers while effectively identifying commercial imports.