A clearing agent is essentially an agent who specifically takes care of the customs clearance aspect of the business.
Below is How To Become A clearing Agent In Ghana
Requirements for licensing of Customs Agents
A company that wants to engage in the business of Customs House Agent must be wholly owned by an indigenous Ghanaian and granted a licence by the Commissioner-General.
An employee of the company/institution must have a certificate of proficiency in customs business.
The person granted the licence must pay prescribed fees.
The licence is valid for one year and can be renewed.
A licence can be revoked or suspended where it breaches conditions specified in the licence or the provisions of the Act.
How to become a Customs Agent
The person shall submit
1An application letter to Commissioner-General through the Commissioner of Customs, attaching all necessary documents as;
Letter of Recommendation from Association {Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), Freight Forwarders Association of Ghana (FFAG), Customs Brokers Association of Ghana (CUBAG), Association of Customs House Agents of Ghana (ACHAG)}
Tax Clearance Certificate
Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) Clearance
Certificate of Incorporation
Certificate to Commence Business
Business Plan
Company Staff List
Personal Data Form
Most recent Education Qualification Certificate
Customs Proficiency/ Exemption Certificate (2 Certificates)
2 Successful applicants shall complete Customs Form C for their interface premises connected to the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) and licence for operation issued.
3 A letter of introduction will be forwarded to the Collection where they will be operating to formally introduce the agent to them.
Role of a Customs Agent
Prepare, process and clear import and export documentation and goods according to customs regulations, laws, or processes
Pay, or arrange payment of, taxes and duties on shipments.
Sign documents on behalf of clients, using powers of attorney.
Stay abreast of changes in import or export laws or regulations by reading current literature, attending meetings or conferences, or conferring with colleagues.
Request or compile necessary import documentation, such as customs invoices, certificate of origin, and cargo-control documents.
Advise customers on import and export restrictions, tariff systems, insurance requirements, quotas, or other customs-related matters.
Confer with officials in various agencies to facilitate the clearance of goods through customs and quarantine.
Arrange for transportation, warehousing, or product distribution of imported or exported products.
Who is a Freight Forwarder?
A freight forwarder is a person or company that handles the transportation of goods for individuals or corporations from one destination to another. Freight forwarders do not move the goods, instead, they act as intermediaries between the shipper and transportation service.
They negotiate with various carriers on the cost of transportation and on extra services as required by the client. They also decide on the most economical and fastest route for transportation.
Freight forwarders are expected to be extremely knowledgeable in the elements of supply as their job is to make the import and export of goods easier and less stressful for the client.
Below are is the list of services required of freight forwarders in Ghana
- Customs Clearance
- International and import documentation
- Insurance
- Packing
- Storage
- Inventory management
How to Become a Freight Forwarder in Ghana
There is no straightforward way to becoming a freight forwarder in Ghana.
This is due to the fact that certain people have pursued different careers before ending up in a shipping company. After several years of gaining experience in the company, they went ahead to open their own freight forwarding business.
But if you hope to become a professional, then you’ll have to get the proper education and get licensed by the Government of Ghana to operate as a legitimate freight forwarder in Ghana
Below are the right steps to take to become a freight forwarder in Ghana
Get the Right Education
As a freight forwarder, you will need to be educated on the various elements of the supply chain. The best place to get such an education is at the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders.
Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders
The Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders is a non-profit organization established in August 1985 to handle the training of individuals in the freight forwarding business and to promote quality services in the logistics industry.
It was initially named the National Association of Customs House Agents (NACHA). The institution maintains strong links with the Government, parastatals, and other organizations that influence the logistics industry.
Members of the organization can access these links and stay ahead of other individuals in the industry that are not part of the institute. If you wish to successfully run a freight forwarding business, then it is a must that you become a member of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders.
Courses in the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders
Higher Diploma Course
GIFF/FIATA HIGHER DIPLOMA COURSE IN SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
The Higher Diploma in Supply Chain Management Course is offered by the International Federation of Freight Forwarders (FIATA). This course is suitable for individuals aspiring to enter the freight forwarding business.
Upon completion of the course, the individual will be awarded the FIATA Higher Diploma in Supply Chain Management and the GIFF Higher Diploma in Supply Chain Management.
The course covers areas on the main elements of supply chain management. Below are the areas covered in the course;
Procurement Management
Strategic Management
Production & Operations Management
International Transport Management
Supply Chain Management
Financial Management
Global Marketing
Business Law
Human Resource Management
Entrepreneur Creativity
Requirement For This Course.
To study this course you’ll have to meet one of the following requirements
Be employed in a freight forwarding firm with a minimum of 2 years of employment
Be employed in a freight forwarding firm with a University degree or diploma
Possess a degree or diploma from a reputable university.
Course Duration
The duration of the course is 1 year.
Course Fees
GIFF Members GH¢ 2,500
Non-GIFF Members GH¢ 3,000
International Trainees GH¢ 3,500