mporters and exporters operating in Ghana will be required to complete mandatory registration with the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) from August 3, 2026, as the Authority begins enforcing the requirement through the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS).
The measure is aimed at strengthening regulatory oversight of Ghana’s shipping and logistics sector while ensuring compliance with the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122).
Under Section 26(1) of the Act, all shippers are required to register with the Authority. Effective August 3, registration will become a mandatory requirement for processing shipment transactions on the ICUMS platform.
In a public notice, the GSA urged importers and exporters who have not yet completed the registration process to do so before the implementation date to avoid disruptions to their shipping operations.
“The Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) wishes to inform the shipping public that the mandatory Shipper Registration under Section 26(1) of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122), will be enforced on the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) platform, effective 3rd August 2026. Shippers who are yet to register may visit or contact GSA offices across the country to register,” the Authority stated.
The GSA also announced that the annual shipper registration fee remains GH¢150, in accordance with the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025 (L.I. 2512).
Once completed, the registration will remain valid for 12 calendar months and will cover all shipment transactions undertaken by the registered importer or exporter during that period.
According to the Authority, enforcing mandatory registration through ICUMS is expected to improve compliance within the shipping industry, strengthen monitoring of import and export activities, and enhance the regulation of Ghana’s international trade ecosystem.
Businesses engaged in international trade have therefore been advised to complete the registration process ahead of the August 3 deadline to ensure uninterrupted access to customs clearance and shipment processing services.
Source: citinews
