The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has suspended the pre-shipment inspection exercise for imported used vehicles, effective Monday, October 5, 2026. In a public notice signed by the Director-General of the GSA, Professor George Agyei, the authority informed vehicle importers and stakeholders of the suspension. The notice, referenced GSA/DGS/PN/26/11, stated that a new date for the commencement of the programme would be announced later. This decision affects used motor vehicles destined for Ghana that were required to undergo Pre-Shipment Verification of Conformity.
The GSA had earlier directed used motor vehicles to undergo Pre-Shipment Verification of Conformity by an approved inspection agent under the FlexiPass Programme. The programme aimed to identify non-conforming vehicles before shipment, preventing importers from incurring unnecessary costs. Vehicles were inspected against GS 4510, ensuring they met safety and other applicable requirements. The GSA recognised inspection results and certificates issued by approved inspection agents only. Two inspection bodies, Autoterminal Japan and EAA Company Limited, were approved to conduct inspections.
Autoterminal Japan and EAA Company Limited are accredited to ISO/IEC 17020 and operate over 100 inspection locations in 15 countries across five regions. These inspection centres cover major markets from which used vehicles are exported to Ghana. According to the GSA, inspections are carried out against GS 4510 requirements, regardless of the country or inspection centre where the vehicle is examined. The approved agents also offer mobile inspection services for importers and exporters who cannot access fixed inspection centres.
Inspection fees under the FlexiPass Programme varied according to the country of origin of the vehicle. Vehicles from Japan attracted a fee of US$200, while those from Korea, Singapore, and other Asian countries, the People's Republic of China and India, the United Arab Emirates, and African countries attracted US$250. A fee of US$300 applied to vehicles from the United Kingdom and European countries, the United States of America, North and South America, and Australia and New Zealand. The GSA stated that these fees were set at or below standard global rates.
The GSA advised importers to deal only with approved inspection agents, warning that inspection reports or certificates issued by other entities would not be accepted. Importers were encouraged to have vehicles inspected before shipment and to instruct exporters to arrange inspections before loading vehicles for export. They were also advised to verify inspection details before making payments and to contact the GSA or approved agents if they had doubts about an inspection centre or certificate.
The authority urged importers to report any demands for payments above the approved inspection fees. For additional information, the GSA provided contact details for its Vehicle Homologation Unit, including +233 303980177 and +233 256061634. Importers and stakeholders can reach out to the unit for further clarification on the pre-shipment inspection programme.
The suspension of the pre-shipment inspection exercise has implications for vehicle importers and the automotive industry in Ghana. The GSA's decision to suspend the programme may be attributed to various factors, including logistical or administrative adjustments. The authority's commitment to ensuring vehicle safety and compliance with regulations remains a priority.
Key points
- The Ghana Standards Authority suspended the pre-shipment inspection of imported used vehicles on October 5, 2026.
- The inspection programme aimed to identify non-conforming vehicles before shipment, preventing unnecessary costs for importers.
- Approved inspection agents, Autoterminal Japan and EAA Company Limited, were accredited to ISO/IEC 17020 and operated over 100 inspection locations.
