The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has called on the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) to immediately sanction shipping lines that continue to impose container administrative charges above the approved regulatory cap, describing the practice as economic sabotage.
In a press statement issued on July 28, the Association accused some shipping lines of disregarding the Ghana Shippers’ Authority’s directive, which capped the Container Administrative Charge (CAC) at GH¢720 per Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (TEU). IEAG noted that the directive remains legally binding following a High Court ruling on July 10, 2026, which dismissed an application seeking to halt its implementation.
According to the Association, invoices issued by some shipping companies indicate that excessive charges are still being imposed on importers. It cited instances where Pacific International Lines (PIL) allegedly charged GH¢4,000 as a Container Release Order fee for a single 40-foot container, while MSC Ghana Limited reportedly charged GH¢3,870.46 as an Administrative Import Fee for a 40HC container—amounts it said are more than five times the approved charge.
IEAG argued that the continued imposition of such charges increases the cost of doing business at Ghana’s ports, with the burden ultimately falling on importers, exporters and consumers. It further accused some shipping operators of acting with impunity due to years of weak regulatory enforcement.
The Association is urging the Ghana Shippers’ Authority to invoke its powers under the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122) by initiating enforcement proceedings against all non-compliant shipping lines, applying to the High Court for enforcement of its directive, imposing the appropriate sanctions, ordering refunds of all excess charges collected, and publishing the names of offending companies.
IEAG warned that failure by the Authority to act decisively would undermine confidence in Ghana’s regulatory framework and send a signal that lawful directives can be ignored without consequences. The Association stressed that the issue has gone beyond regulatory non-compliance and has become a test of the Authority’s resolve to enforce the law.
It further cautioned that if urgent enforcement measures are not taken, it will consider pursuing all lawful options available, including organising industrial action and possibly suspending activities at the country’s ports to protect the interests of its members.
The statement, signed by Samson Asaki Awingobit, Executive Secretary of the IEAG, reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to working with stakeholders to promote a fair, transparent and competitive shipping environment while insisting that no company is above the laws of Ghana.
