Reversal Of Discount On FOB Value Of General Goods And HDV Of Vehicles
On 3 August 2022, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) published an investigation report in respect of a complaint against Labianca Company Limited and the Customs Division of Ghana Revenue Authority. A major finding of the investigation, which led to the recovery of GHC1,074,627.15, is that there appears to be an institutionalised culture of lighthearted unconcern regarding impropriety of action at the Customs Division in respect of the grant of customs advance rulings and other rulings regarding the importation of goods – which indicates a high propensity to engender corruption and corruption-related activities.
On the basis of the report, the Special Prosecutor directed the commencement of a wider investigation into the issuance of customs advance rulings and markdowns of benchmark values and an attendant investigation in respect of the auction of goods and vehicles by the Customs Division.
The OSP notes, with gratification, that following its various investigations and interventions at the Customs Division, the Government has reversed the discretionary discount on the free on board (FOB) value of goods and the home delivery value (HDV) of vehicles effective 1 January 2023. The new policy effectively shuts all avenues for officers of the Customs Division to grant discretionary markdowns and removes opportunity for corruption and corruption-related activities.
The various investigations commenced by the OSP at the Customs Division would still proceed nonetheless and the Office will monitor the implementation of the new policy.
[SGD]
KISSI AGYEBENG
SPECIAL PROSECUTOR