The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has announced the suspension of the Pre-Shipment Inspection exercise for imported used vehicles, effective immediately. In a public notice signed by the Director-General of the Authority, Professor George Agyei, on Monday, October 5, 2026, the GSA informed vehicle importers and stakeholders of the decision. The notice, numbered GSA/DGS/PN/26/11, did not provide a reason for the suspension but stated that a new implementation date would be communicated in due course.
The suspension comes despite the authority's earlier reminder that all used motor vehicles destined for Ghana must undergo Pre-Shipment Verification of Conformity by an approved inspection agent under the FlexiPass Programme. The programme was designed to ensure that vehicles imported into Ghana meet certain safety and compliance standards. Under the programme, inspections were conducted against GS 4510, with non-conforming vehicles identified before shipment to protect buyers from paying freight and duties on unsafe or non-compliant vehicles.
The GSA had approved two inspection bodies for the programme, namely Autoterminal Japan and EAA Company Limited, both accredited to ISO/IEC 17020. These approved agents operate more than 100 inspection locations in 15 countries across five regions, covering the principal markets from which used vehicles are exported to Ghana. The agents provide inspection services to ensure compliance with the same requirements of GS 4510, regardless of the country or centre in which the vehicle is inspected.
The inspection programme was designed to provide assurance to buyers that the vehicles they import meet certain safety and compliance standards. The agents also provide mobile inspection services where a fixed centre is not convenient, attending the exporter's yard, auction site, port terminal or premises by appointment. This flexibility was intended to make it easier for importers to comply with the programme's requirements.
Fees under the programme were set by country of origin, with Ghana's FlexiPass fees described as being at or below standard global pre-shipment verification of conformity rates. For example, the fee for vehicles imported from Japan was US$200, while those from Korea, Singapore, and other Asian countries, the People's Republic of China, and India attracted a fee of US$250. The United Kingdom and European countries, the United States of America, North and South America, and Australia and New Zealand attracted a fee of US$300.
The GSA advised importers to use only approved agents, noting that inspections or certificates from any other entity would not be accepted under the programme. Importers were also urged to inspect vehicles before shipping and to instruct their exporters to arrange inspection before the vehicle is loaded. Additionally, importers were advised to verify the authenticity of inspection certificates and to report any request for payment above the approved fees to the authority.
The GSA has urged stakeholders to contact the authority's Vehicle Homologation Unit for further information on the suspension of the Pre-Shipment Inspection programme. The authority has assured importers that a new implementation date will be announced in due course. In the meantime, importers are expected to take note of the suspension and await further communication from the GSA.
Key points
- The Ghana Standards Authority has suspended the Pre-Shipment Inspection exercise for imported used vehicles, effective immediately.
- The suspension was announced in a public notice signed by the Director-General of the GSA, Professor George Agyei, on Monday, October 5, 2026.
- A new implementation date for the programme will be communicated in due course.
