The Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA) has endorsed a new directive by the Ghana Shippers’ Authority to cap the Container Administrative Charge at GH¢550 per 20-foot container (TEU), effective May 1, 2026.
The traders’ body described the move as a significant step toward reducing the high cost of doing business at Ghana’s ports, where importers and exporters have long raised concerns over excessive and often unjustified charges imposed by shipping lines and their agents.
According to GUTA, the Container Administrative Charge, which was introduced in the late 1980s, has outlived its original purpose but has continued to rise over the years, placing a heavy financial burden on businesses. The association noted that in 2024 alone, shippers paid an estimated GH¢1.69 billion under the charge.
GUTA indicated that the new cap follows extensive stakeholder consultations involving trade groups, freight forwarders, and shipping agents, in line with provisions under the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122).
The association believes the GH¢550 ceiling will provide substantial relief to businesses, projecting annual savings of about GH¢802.5 million. It also welcomed the decision to denominate the charge in cedis rather than foreign currency, describing it as a measure that will enhance transparency and improve cost predictability.
While acknowledging the role of shipping agents in facilitating trade, GUTA maintained that the continued increases in the charge were unjustifiable, particularly given that its original basis is no longer relevant.
The association further described the directive as a starting point in broader efforts to eliminate unfair port-related fees and restore balance within Ghana’s trade environment.
