The Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) has directed all shipping lines operating in the country to cap administrative charges on containers with immediate effect.
According to a statement issued by the Authority, the Container Administrative Charge (CAC) on both import and export containers must not exceed GH¢720 per container.
The directive also announced the postponement of the planned review of administrative charges by shipping lines, which was originally scheduled to take effect on May 1, 2026. The implementation has now been deferred to July 1, 2026.
The GSA explained that the extension is intended to allow for further consultations with stakeholders to arrive at a fee structure that would be beneficial to all parties within the shipping and logistics sector.
Speaking on the development, Vice President of the Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA), Joseph Paddy, said the directive was a welcome relief and something trader groups had consistently advocated for.
According to him, GUTA had proposed the complete removal of the administrative charges but welcomed the interim directive issued by the Ghana Shippers’ Authority.
Mr. Paddy alleged that some shipping lines currently charge up to 162 dollars per container as administrative fees, a situation he described as exploitative.
“With this directive, the shipping lines will now charge about 65 dollars per container, which is a step in the right direction as we wait for the final determination,” he stated.
He reiterated GUTA’s position that the administrative charges should eventually be scrapped entirely.
The GUTA Vice President further argued that the charges imposed by shipping lines are already covered under freight costs paid by importers and therefore described the additional fees as illegal.
Mr. Paddy also disclosed that trader groups had received information suggesting some shipping lines were considering legal action against the Ghana Shippers’ Authority over the directive.
However, he stressed that GUTA was prepared to support the Authority should the matter proceed to court.
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