Omanghana
The government is expected to introduce a mandatory pre-export inspection system for used vehicles imported into Ghana, with the program scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2026.
The Pre-Export Verification of Conformity scheme, to be administered by the Ghana Standards Authority, will require imported used vehicles to undergo safety and quality inspections in their countries of origin before being shipped to Ghana.
Under the new arrangement, importers and vehicle dealers must use a GSA-approved inspection company to assess each vehicle. Those that meet the required standards will receive a Certificate of Conformity before shipment.
Vehicles shipped on or after the implementation date without the required certificate could be refused entry into Ghana.
The framework will also prohibit the importation of used vehicles more than 15 years old. Flood-damaged, burnt, right-hand-drive, kit-assembled and structurally defective vehicles will not qualify for certification.
Vehicles without speedometers displaying kilometers per hour may also be rejected under the new standards.
Reports indicate that importers could be charged approximately $300 for each inspection. Based on an estimated 100,000 vehicle imports annually, the fee could impose up to $30 million in combined costs on the automobile industry if every imported vehicle were subjected to the charge.
Vehicle dealers, port operators and transport sector groups have raised concerns about the additional financial burden and warned that the cost could eventually be passed on to consumers through higher vehicle prices.
Some stakeholders have also requested greater transparency regarding the selection of private inspection companies, the structure of the fee and how the revenue will be distributed among participating organizations.
The Vehicles and Asset Dealers Union of Ghana has reportedly petitioned the authorities to postpone implementation, arguing that dealers and importers need more time to prepare for the new requirements.
The government and the Ghana Standards Authority maintain that the system is intended to prevent unsafe and environmentally unsuitable vehicles from entering the country while improving compliance with national standards.
Source: Omanghana
