Ghana Shippers’ Authority launches nationwide sensitization drive as mandatory ICUMS registration deadline nears

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The Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) has commenced a nationwide sensitisation campaign to educate shippers, freight forwarders, and importers about the mandatory registration of all shippers on the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), a requirement now enshrined in the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122).

The outreach, which kicked off with a high-level engagement at the Ghana Shippers’ House in Accra on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, brings together officials from the GSA, the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), and ICUMS technology provider Ghana Link Network Services Ltd. The team is touring key commercial hubs across the country to explain how the electronic system will streamline cargo clearance, enhance transparency, and provide critical data for trade policy formulation.

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Act 1122: A New Era for Trade Regulation

The Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122), which was passed by Parliament and assented to by the President in the latter half of 2024, represents a significant overhaul of the legal framework governing the shipping and logistics industry. The Act expands the mandate of the GSA, granting it enhanced regulatory powers to oversee the activities of all persons involved in the importation and exportation of goods through Ghana’s ports and borders.

A key provision of the Act—Section 26(1)—mandates that every importer and exporter must register with the Authority before processing any shipment transaction through the ICUMS platform. This registration is intended to create a comprehensive, real-time database of all shippers, enabling the GSA to monitor trade flows, identify non-compliant actors, and gather the data necessary for evidence-based policy adjustments.

The ICUMS, which was introduced in 2020 as a single-window platform to digitise customs processes, is the backbone of this new registration regime. By integrating registration directly into ICUMS, the GSA aims to ensure that only verified, registered shippers can clear goods, thereby reducing fraud, under-invoicing, and other forms of trade malpractices.

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Sensitisation Tour Targets Key Stakeholders

The nationwide tour is designed to reach every segment of the shipping ecosystem. The initial engagement in Accra focused specifically on executives of Freight Forwarding Associations, who serve as critical intermediaries between importers/exporters and the customs clearance process.

Opening the programme, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer in charge of Technical Services, Mrs. Sylvia Asana Dauda Owu, underscored the imperative of the mandatory registration and urged freight forwarders to serve as champions of compliance.

“Freight forwarders are the frontline actors in cargo clearance. We are counting on you to ensure that your clients understand the new requirement and register promptly to avoid disruptions at the port,” she said.

Mrs. Dauda Owu explained that the registration process is designed to be simple and user-friendly, and that the GSA is committed to providing all necessary support to facilitate a smooth transition.

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Live Demonstrations and Stakeholder Q&A

Following the opening remarks, officials from the GSA and Ghana Link Network Services Ltd. conducted a live demonstration of the ICUMS registration process, walking participants through each step—from account creation and document upload to verification and approval. The demonstration was followed by an open question-and-answer session, during which stakeholders raised practical concerns about the registration timeline, the documentation required, and the handling of special cases such as transit cargo and bonded goods.

The officials responded to each query, clarifying that the registration is a one-time exercise and that the system is designed to accommodate a wide variety of import and export scenarios.

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Freight Forwarders Appeal for Deadline Extension

During the discussions, freight forwarders made a formal appeal for the implementation deadline to be extended to Monday, August 31, 2026, citing the need for additional time to complete sensitisation efforts and ensure full compliance across the industry.

Mrs. Dauda Owu acknowledged the appeal, noting that Management would carefully consider the request and communicate a final decision in due course. She stressed, however, that regardless of the final deadline, stakeholders should not delay in initiating the registration process.

The original deadline—which had been set for an earlier date—has already been the subject of industry concern, with many smaller importers and clearing agents expressing anxiety about their ability to register in time. The extension request reflects a broader desire for a phased implementation that gives all stakeholders adequate preparation time.

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Focus on Container Administrative Charge Compliance

The meeting also addressed another pressing issue: the implementation of the Container Administrative Charge (CAC), a levy applied to all import containers to fund port infrastructure maintenance and security.

The President of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), Mr. Stephen Adjokatcher, and the Chairman of the GIFF Tema Chapter, Mr. Johnny Mantey, both took the floor to encourage freight forwarders to ensure that importers comply with the approved CAC rate of GH¢720 per container. They emphasised that the charge is not a new tax but a cost-recovery mechanism essential for maintaining the operational integrity of the ports.

“We must all work together to ensure that the CAC is collected properly and remitted in a timely manner. This is not optional—it is a statutory obligation,” Mr. Adjokatcher said, urging members to educate their clients and avoid disputes that could delay cargo clearance.

The CAC has been a point of contention in the past, with some importers alleging that the charge is inconsistently applied. The renewed emphasis on compliance under Act 1122 is intended to standardise collection and eliminate ambiguities.

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Customs Division Calls for Continued Collaboration

Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Commissioner of the Customs Division of the GRA, Mr. Divine Agbeko, called for sustained collaboration among all stakeholders to facilitate seamless cargo clearance and improve overall trade efficiency.

“The success of ICUMS and the new registration regime depends on all of us—the GSA, Customs, freight forwarders, and shippers—working as one. We cannot afford to operate in silos,” Mr. Agbeko said.

He also reassured the freight forwarders that the Customs Division is committed to responding to their concerns and providing the necessary support to ensure a smooth transition to the new system.

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Broader Implications: Enhancing Data-Driven Policymaking

Beyond the immediate goal of compliance, the mandatory registration requirement has significant long-term implications for Ghana’s trade policy. By aggregating data on who is importing what, from where, and at what value, the GSA will be able to:

· Identify emerging trade trends and adjust tariffs or non-tariff measures accordingly.
· Detect and deter the use of fraudulent documentation, such as misdeclaration of goods to evade duties.
· Formulate evidence-based trade policies that support Ghana’s industrialisation agenda and export diversification goals.

The Authority believes that this data-rich environment will ultimately make Ghana a more predictable and transparent trading partner, which could attract greater foreign investment and boost the country’s competitiveness in international markets.

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What Shippers Need to Know

For the average importer or exporter, the new registration requirement means the following:

1. Mandatory Registration: Before you can submit any import or export declaration on ICUMS, you must be registered with the GSA.
2. One-Time Process: Registration is a one-time exercise. Once completed, you will have a unique shipper identifier that can be used for all future transactions.
3. Online Platform: The registration is conducted entirely online through the ICUMS portal, which is accessible via the GSA or GRA websites.
4. Documentation Required: Shippers will need to provide basic business documentation, including their business registration certificate, tax identification number (TIN), and contact details.
5. Deadline: The current deadline is under review following the freight forwarders’ appeal. Shippers are advised to register as soon as possible to avoid last-minute rushes.

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GSA Reaffirms Commitment to Trade Facilitation

The sensitisation engagement is part of the Authority’s ongoing efforts to strengthen regulatory compliance, enhance stakeholder collaboration, and promote efficient trade through the effective implementation of Act 1122 (2024). The GSA has emphasised that its goal is not to impose burdens on traders but to create a more efficient, transparent, and predictable trading environment that benefits all parties.

“We are not here to punish anyone. We are here to build a system that works for Ghana—one that protects the revenue of the state while making it easier for legitimate traders to do business,” one GSA official remarked.

The nationwide tour will continue in the coming weeks, with scheduled stops in Takoradi, Kumasi, and Tamale, among other key commercial centres. The GSA is also expected to roll out digital awareness campaigns through social media, radio, and television to reach shippers who may not attend the physical engagements.

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Conclusion

As Ghana’s trade volumes continue to recover and grow, the implementation of Act 1122 and the mandatory ICUMS registration represent a critical milestone in modernising the country’s port and shipping sector. The nationwide sensitisation campaign, combined with the stakeholder dialogue and the potential deadline extension, signals a consultative approach by the GSA that balances regulatory stringency with practical industry realities.

For shippers and freight forwarders, the message is clear: the era of informal, unregulated cargo clearance is coming to an end. Registration is not optional—it is the law. And with the GSA, GRA, and technology partners working together to facilitate the transition, the move promises to make Ghana’s ports more efficient, transparent, and competitive than ever before.

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The GSA has urged all shippers to visit the Authority’s official website or the ICUMS portal for detailed registration guidelines and assistance.