Importers 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 move is aimed at strengthening regulatory oversight of Ghana’s shipping and logistics sector while enhancing 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. From August 3, compliance with this requirement will become a prerequisite 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 enforcement date to avoid disruptions to their shipping activities.
“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 said.
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.
The Authority expects the enforcement of the registration requirement through ICUMS to improve compliance within the shipping industry, enhance the monitoring of import and export activities, and support more efficient regulation of Ghana’s international trade ecosystem.
Businesses involved in international trade have therefore been advised to complete the registration process ahead of the August 3 implementation date to ensure uninterrupted access to customs clearance and shipment processing services
