BIVAC cautions fraudsters

BIVAC International Ghana Limited, a destination inspection company has observed, fraudulent and fake documents presented for clearance of goods, hampers trade facilitation and customs operations at the country’s ports, Mr. Herve Chassagne, Managing Director, BIVAC disclosed.

“Fraudulent documentation increase delays and cost in port transaction. There are delays in the process because when you raise a query on suspected invoices, you ask the importer to come and explain. It takes forever for them to come and explain.

“This result in the delays of issuing the final classification and valuation report. And then when you are not there they turn around to accuse you of frustrating them,” Mr. Chassagne said.

This was made known in Accra at a day’s seminar organized by BIVAC International, for Customs House Agents and stakeholders including Ghana Shippers Authority, Ghana Union of Traders Association among others.

It was aimed at equipping participants on the processes and procedures required to obtain the final classification and valuation report without hindrance. The seminar also educated stakeholders on how to acquire relevant documentation to facilitate transactions at the ports.

Nii Ansah-Adjaye, Chief Director of the Ministry of Trade and Industry said: “Delays in the issuance of final clarification and valuation report have hampered the smooth operation of the scheme and therefore require the attention of the companies contracted to provide the services.

“There is the need for inspection companies to continue to improve upon their performances. Even though much has been achieved over the years by the introduction of the scheme, there is still some ground to cover with regards to issues of verification and classification.”

Mr. Ansah-Adjaye explained that improved trade facilitation reforms and training can bring immense benefit for the development and stimulation of trade, improvement in the collection of customs duties and reduction in the propensity to smuggle.

“It is therefore necessary to continuously put in place modalities such as this initiative to enhance our trade agenda to bring considerable benefit to the government, the private sector and consumers,” he stated.

Mr. Fred Mac Bruce, Deputy Managing Director, BIVAC called suggested that government must impose harsh sanctions on importers who use fraudulent means or documents to clear goods.

“I believe such a step should serve as a deterrent for potential perpetrators.

“It is time for government to adopt the approaches of the EU where importers or traders who engage in fraud are blacklisted forever,” Mr. MacBruce explained.

BIVAC International Ghana Limited is s subsidiary of the Bureau Veritas Group, a global destination inspection company.