The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has reaffirmed its support for the Publican Artificial Intelligence (AI) Trade Solution, saying the system has contributed significantly to improved customs revenue mobilisation and greater consistency in customs valuation.
According to the Association, five months after the system became fully operational at Ghana’s ports on March 12, 2026, Publican AI has helped increase assessed customs collections while reducing excessive human discretion in the valuation process.
Addressing a press conference, IEAG President Samson Asaki Awingobit said the Association initially raised concerns over stakeholder engagement, transparency, data integrity, system integration and operational readiness before the system was implemented.
He said engagements with the Ministry of Finance and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) subsequently addressed many of the concerns, leading the Association to support the system after becoming convinced that the reform was in the national interest.
“Today, after five months of implementation, we believe it is only fair and responsible to present an honest appraisal of the system based on facts and practical experiences from our members,” he said.
Publican AI boosts customs revenue
The IEAG said data contained in the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review showed that the Publican AI system had generated significant gains in customs revenue.
According to the Association, between the pilot phase and the rollout period ending July 17, 2026, the system increased assessed customs collections by more than US$300 million, representing a 17.5 percent increase over values originally declared by importers.
It added that about 366,000 import declarations had been analysed, with approximately 24 percent triggering valuation risk indicators requiring further review.
The Association further cited figures showing that in March 2026 alone, assessed customs collections increased by approximately US$73.44 million, representing a 25.7 percent uplift.
The IEAG said the figures demonstrated the potential of technology to improve domestic revenue mobilisation without imposing new taxes.
It consequently congratulated the government, Ministry of Finance, GRA and Customs officers for their role in implementing the reform.
IEAG raises concerns over valuation disputes
Despite its support for Publican AI, the Association said challenges remained and required urgent attention.
It identified delays in the appeals and review process, unexpected fluctuations in duty assessments for similar consignments, the need for continuous stakeholder engagement and capacity-building for Customs officers, freight forwarders and clearing agents.
The IEAG called for a faster and more transparent appeals process to prevent valuation disputes from causing unnecessary demurrage and disruptions to businesses.
It also urged government to continuously calibrate the valuation database and integrate more international pricing databases to improve the accuracy and consistency of assessments.
The Association noted, however, that importers who believe their consignments have been overvalued now have an opportunity to seek reviews by submitting documents such as commercial invoices, sales contracts, proof of payment and bills of lading.
According to the IEAG, where such documents establish the actual transaction value, Customs has shown willingness to reassess valuations and adjust duties where appropriate.
Warning to importers
The Association also advised importers to independently verify duty assessments communicated by freight forwarders and clearing agents.
It said it had received complaints suggesting that some unscrupulous agents were exploiting misunderstandings surrounding Publican AI to quote exaggerated customs charges to unsuspecting importers.
The IEAG urged importers to demand proper documentation and seek clarification whenever they have concerns, adding that they could contact the Association for independent guidance where necessary.
Call to tackle Tema Port congestion
Beyond Publican AI, the IEAG called on the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) to urgently address persistent container congestion at the Tema Port.
The Association proposed that GPHA consider not renewing selected leases on some properties and spaces within the port enclave, particularly where the leases are approaching expiration, and instead use the areas to develop additional modern container terminal facilities.
It said expanding capacity would complement existing facilities, including Terminal Three, while improving cargo handling, reducing congestion and facilitating the movement of goods and vehicles.
IEAG challenges shipping lines over container charges
The Association also raised concerns about alleged breaches of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority’s directive on the regulated Container Administrative Charge (CAC), also known as the local handling charge.
It said the current regulatory ceiling is GH¢720 per Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) for both import and export containers.
The IEAG claimed some shipping lines and their agents were still charging amounts above the approved ceiling, warning that such practices could increase the cost of doing business and undermine efforts to make Ghana’s ports competitive.
The Association therefore appealed to the Minister for Transport to convene an urgent meeting involving the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, shipping lines, shipping agents, freight forwarders, importers, exporters and other stakeholders to resolve the matter.
Call for stronger port security
On security, the IEAG called on the Inspector-General of Police to strengthen security within the port enclave to support the government’s 24-hour economy policy.
The Association’s call follows what it described as a recent isolated attack on some transporters and individuals offloading cargo within the port enclave.
It urged the security agencies to intensify patrols, surveillance and rapid-response measures to protect traders, transporters, workers and other port users.
GRA digital platforms need improvement
The IEAG also expressed concern over recent disruptions to government digital services and payment platforms at the port, particularly the Ghana.gov platform.
According to the Association, the platform was unavailable for about a week before the problem was resolved, resulting in time and financial losses for businesses operating at the port.
It urged the GRA to invest in stronger system resilience, maintenance, technical support and contingency arrangements to ensure reliable digital services for customs and other port-related transactions.
Support for vehicle inspection programme
The Association further endorsed the Ghana Standards Authority’s planned implementation of the Pre-Shipment Inspection and Vehicle Age Verification (PVoC) programme for imported used vehicles, effective October 1.
The IEAG said the programme would help prevent the importation of substandard and unsafe vehicles, improve compliance with safety and environmental requirements and enhance the traceability of imported vehicles.
It encouraged its members to embrace the new system, describing it as a measure that could help address loopholes associated with the importation and purchase of vehicles.
IEAG commends GoldBod, BoG and Ghana Link
The Association also commended the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) and the Bank of Ghana (BoG) for what it described as their contribution to economic and business stability.
It said GoldBod’s activities had contributed to foreign exchange market stability and improved predictability for businesses engaged in international trade.
The IEAG also praised the Bank of Ghana for its monetary policy and foreign exchange market interventions, as well as measures aimed at strengthening Ghana’s external buffers.
The Association welcomed the decline in lending rates, noting that the average lending rate fell from 30.3 percent in December 2024 to 20.5 percent in December 2025.
It urged the two institutions to sustain their interventions, particularly ahead of the Yuletide period when demand for foreign exchange, credit and imported goods is expected to rise.
The IEAG further commended Ghana Link for improvements in the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), saying there had been little or no major complaints about clearance challenges associated with the platform so far this year.
It said the improvement represented a significant turnaround from concerns raised about the system in the previous year.
The Association reiterated its commitment to working with government and other stakeholders to build a trade environment that is transparent, secure, efficient and competitive.
It stressed that while technology-driven reforms such as Publican AI are important for protecting national revenue, they must be complemented by efficient port infrastructure, reliable digital systems, enhanced security and continuous engagement with the trading community.
