The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has introduced a new regulation requiring all used vehicles imported into Ghana to be certified by one of two approved inspection firms before departure. This move aims to ensure that imported vehicles meet the country's safety and environmental standards. The GSA has published the official fees and approved network of inspection companies that buyers must use. According to the GSA, every used motor vehicle destined for Ghana must be inspected and certified under the Pre-Shipment Verification of Conformity (PVOC) programme.
The two approved firms are AutoTerminal Japan (ATJ) and EAA Company Limited (EAA). These companies have a combined network of over 100 inspection locations across 15 countries in five global regions, including major used-vehicle export markets such as Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States, and Australia. The GSA has stated that only certificates issued by these two firms will be recognised under its FlexiPass Programme. Importers who use any other inspector or skip the process entirely risk having their vehicles turned away at Ghanaian ports.
The FlexiPass fee structure charges importers based on the vehicle's country of origin. Vehicles shipped from Japan attract a fee of US$200, while those from Korea, Singapore, other Asian countries, China, India, African countries, and the UAE cost US$250. Vehicles from the United Kingdom, European countries, the United States, the Americas, Australia, and New Zealand attract the highest fee of US$300. The GSA claims that these charges are at or below standard global PVOC rates.
The inspection process involves submitting a GSA Pre-Shipment Inspection Request Form along with the vehicle and export documents. Accredited inspectors then examine the car at an approved centre or at the exporter's location. Vehicles that meet the required standards receive a FlexiPass certificate and can be shipped, while those that fail are denied a certificate and cannot be exported to Ghana under the programme.
This new regulation is part of a wider crackdown on used-vehicle imports in Ghana. The country has already banned the importation of vehicles made before 2010, as well as salvage and accident-damaged cars. The GSA's move is expected to impact Ghanaians who rely heavily on imported used cars, commonly known as "home-used" or "tokunbo" vehicles.
The GSA has not indicated a start date for strict enforcement of the FlexiPass requirement, nor has it detailed what happens to vehicles currently in transit without certification. The Authority has stated that its inspection network can be expanded to additional countries depending on demand, but has not given a timeline for any such expansion.
The introduction of the FlexiPass Programme and the restriction to two approved inspectors are expected to bring Ghana's used-vehicle import regulations in line with international standards. The GSA's move aims to ensure that imported vehicles are safe and meet environmental requirements, which could have a positive impact on the country's road safety and environmental sustainability.
Key points
- The GSA has approved only two firms, AutoTerminal Japan (ATJ) and EAA Company Limited (EAA), to carry out inspections for used vehicles imported into Ghana.
- The FlexiPass fee structure charges importers between US$200 and US$300, depending on the vehicle's country of origin.
- The new regulation is part of a wider crackdown on used-vehicle imports in Ghana, including a ban on vehicles made before 2010 and salvage and accident-damaged cars.
