The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has issued a final reminder to owners and users of uncustomed vehicles to take advantage of the ongoing tax amnesty before the July 31, 2026 deadline.
The two-month amnesty, which began on June 1, allows owners of illegally imported or smuggled vehicles to regularise their documentation by paying only the applicable import duties, while penalties normally associated with such offences are waived.
Speaking at a public sensitisation forum, Senior Revenue Officer at the Customs Technical Services Bureau (CTSB) Vehicle Valuation Unit, David Agyakwa Mensah, said the initiative was introduced by the Commissioner-General to encourage voluntary compliance and improve revenue collection.
He explained that under the amnesty programme, vehicle owners would not be required to pay the heavy penalties that ordinarily accompany the seizure of uncustomed vehicles.
Mr. Mensah urged all affected vehicle owners to visit any Customs office across the country before the deadline to complete the regularisation process.
“I encourage all affected vehicle owners to visit any Customs office across the country before the deadline to complete the regularisation process.
Take advantage of this initiative to avoid enforcement action after the amnesty period expires,” he said.
Under Ghana’s customs laws, the use of uncustomed vehicles attracts substantial financial penalties and may result in the seizure and forfeiture of the vehicles.
However, the GRA says the current amnesty reflects a more collaborative approach aimed at encouraging compliance while addressing revenue leakages.
Deputy Commissioner of the GRA in charge of Operations, Daniel Edisi, said the Authority has shifted from aggressive enforcement to greater public education and engagement.
According to him, the strategy is already yielding positive results and is expected to contribute to the Authority’s revenue targets for the year.
The initiative has also received support from the Vehicle and Assets Dealers Union of Ghana (VADUG), which believes the presence of uncustomed vehicles undermines legitimate businesses and distorts vehicle prices in the local market.
VADUG General Secretary, Frank Atanley, urged vehicle dealers and owners to regularise their documentation before the amnesty expires, describing the programme as an opportunity for motorists to correct past infractions.
The GRA has warned that the amnesty will not be extended beyond July 31.
Beginning August 1, Customs preventive and enforcement teams will begin nationwide operations, including road inspections and checkpoints, to identify, seize and take action against vehicles that remain uncustomed.
The Authority has advised affected vehicle owners to report to the nearest Customs Collection Office or the GRA Headquarters in Accra to have their vehicles assessed, cleared and properly documented through the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) before the deadline.
