Complaint
- Complaint number
- AfCFTA-000-104
- NTB Type
- 1.2. Restrictive practices tolerated by governments
- Reported through
- Web
- Complaint
-
As the General Secretary of the Ghana Union of Traders Association and the representative of Yesudem Company Limited I imported batteries from Kenya under the AfCFTA framework. When the goods arrived in Ghana I was told that the goods could not get AfCFTA preferences because they were not liberalised under the ECOWAS offer. The goods were therefore held and accrued demurrage and penalties. The initial duty I was supposed to pay was 84 000 GHS but I ended up having to pay an additional amount of 266 000 GHS that I am still paying to this day.
This situation affected my business very negatively.
Subsequent consignments also incurred duties and the batteries are still not liberalised under AfCFTA. When will the batteries be liberalised? I thought the objective of the AfCFTA was to increase trade among African countries. - Status note
- On the 7th May 2026, a meeting was held with the importer (Madam Giftey). Durng the AfCFTA Guided Trade Initiative, she imported a consignment of batteries on the assumption that they would recieve preferential treatment. It was understood that the HS code she was given for her products in intending to participate in the AfCFTA Guided Trade Initiative was incorrect. This had given her the impression that her products would attract reduced duties. However upon meeting with her, the correct HS code was verified through the e-tariff book. This settled the matter that her products were not yet liberalised and could therefore not recieve preferential treatment. The Ghana AfCFTA National Coordination Office is currently in consultations with Ghana Revenue Authority for possible exemption on the debt accrued if at all possible.
- Progress update note
- Policy or regulatory NTB
- No
- Location
- Ghana: Port of Accra (Seaport)
- Reporting Country or Region
- Ghana
- Date of incident
- 2023-07-12
- Status
- Non-actionable
- Product Description
-
Chloride Exide Car Batteries imported from Kenya HS 8507100000
- Total value
- 57 000.00
- Annual trade value
- 171 000.00
- Date reported
- 2025-10-31
- Modified
- 2026-06-16 21:02
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