Ghanaians were incensed by the rate of port fee increases for imports, particularly vehicles, last year.
Car dealers’ complaints about the over 20% increase in port fees in just one month contributed to the commotion’s escalation.
After a year, the situation has not changed, which has caused the cost of vehicles and other imports to rise in the nation.
Read the full story originally published on September 23, 2022
A social media post has left many users astounded after a car dealer revealed a significant increase in the final duty and taxes payable for an imported vehicle within the span of just one month.
The tax invoice details shared on social media showcased a staggering rise from GH¢49,000 to GH¢55,000, marking a notable GH¢6,000 difference from the initial amount.
The invoice listed approximately 11 levies imposed on a single vehicle, including the ECOWAS levy, Network Charge COVID Health, Network Charge VAT, Import NHIL, and Network Charge NHIL.
The Twitter user @BrodoSchemes, who posted the invoice and highlighted the rapid change, captioned it with, “From 49k to 55k real quick! A difference in just about a month.”
This post has garnered diverse reactions from Ghanaians on Twitter, with many expressing their dismay over the increase and suggesting that the system appears to be designed to place financial strain on citizens in their daily lives.
Another car dealer shared a similar experience on the same platform, stating that the duty cost for a 2015 Honda Civic was nearly GH¢33,000, and the container fee amounted to approximately GH¢3,400. Furthermore, factoring in agent fees, clearing charges, and towing expenses, one could expect to pay around GH¢40,000 in duty charges at the ports for the vehicle.
In reaction to the post, another tweep wrote, “For you to understand what this man is saying better, let me give you some small comparison…Duty for a 2016 Honda Civic in May 2021 was GH¢ 15,527.40.”
Some users have speculated that Ghanaians’ propensity for profiteering is to blame for the country’s high import taxes.
Some users have speculated that Ghanaians’ propensity for profiteering is to blame for the country’s high import taxes.
See some reactions gathered on twitter below: