Comply with Excise Duty Act or face sanctions – GRA

THE Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has urged importers to regularize the acquisition of Excise Tax Stamps on imported products subject to excise duty by Sunday, December 31, 2023, or potentially face sanctions, including fines and the confiscation of goods.

This measure is aimed at ensuring compliance with the Amended Excise Duty Act 2023 (Act 1093), which seeks to address the adverse effects of certain excisable products, such as electronic cigarettes and beverages with high alcohol and sugar content.

The advisory was delivered to members of the Greater Accra Regional Shipper Committee during its 121st meeting at the Shippers’ House in Accra on Wednesday, September 20, 2023.

Mr. Nelson Atsu, the Chief Revenue Officer of the Excise Unit at GRA, provided a comprehensive explanation of the rationale behind the Excise Duty Amendment Act 2023 (Act 1093). He stated that the Excise Duty Act of 2014 (Act 878) was amended to include various non-alcoholic beverages, electronic cigarettes, both sweetened and unsweetened fruit juices, electronic cigarette liquid, electronic cigarettes, and similar personal electronic vaporizing devices within the excise tax stamp regime.

Mr. Atsu further outlined that the GRA has earmarked the period from October 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023, as the transition period for importers to ensure the proper affixing of tax stamps. After this transition period, defaulters will face penalties.

He stated, “The implementation of affixing Tax Stamps to all affected products at entry points will begin on October 1, 2023. Importers and domestic manufacturers are expected to arrange for the acquisition of tax stamps on affected products during this period. The Transition Period will conclude on December 31, 2023, and full Implementation will commence on January 2, 2024.”

The importers inquired about how to differentiate between excise tax stamps for domestic products and those for imported products. Mr. Atsu explained that distinct background colours have been employed, with orange representing domestic products and mauve indicating imported products, allowing for easy identification of the product’s origin.

Mrs. Monica Josiah, the Head of the Shipper Services & Trade Facilitation Department, advised importers who encounter difficulties related to delays in acquiring tax exemptions on imported goods to promptly notify the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) to enable it to provide assistance in resolving the issues.

Members of the committee expressed satisfaction with the sensitization efforts and commended the GSA for its consistent commitment to enhancing the knowledge of importers and exporters to improve their shipping operations.