Importers Decry Delay in Refund of Suspended VAT at Ports

Despite calls from the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana for authorities to refund VAT charges paid on demurrages and rent of cargo at the ports, government is yet to fulfil the demand.

The association, is therefore tasking government to come clear and brief them on terms to refund the duties they paid by Monday.

“I think the ministry is not forthcoming with information. Those importers who paid the VAT were to be refunded although it is not a total refund. What the ministry agreed is that they will put measures in place to be able to identify those importers” Executive Secretary of the Association, Samson Asaki Awingobit told Citi Business News.

The Association’s demand follows the suspension of import VAT on some imported commodities at the ports.

The charges begun on the 1st of March 2018, and led to a hike in import charges at the ports.

Mr. Asaki Awingobit called on the finance ministry to come out with payment plans to refund charges paid on goods at the ports when the VAT was introduced.

“By Monday government should make it a responsibility to come out with a publication” he added.