HOW TO EXPORT NON-TRADITIONAL PRODUCE TO GHANA

Exports from Ghana can be categorized as traditional and non-traditional. While the county is already well known for its traditional exports like cocoa, timber, electricity, mineral resources etc the demand and market for non-traditional exports such as handicrafts, yams, cashew nuts, canned fish, Shea butter, kente cloth, textiles etc continually keeps getting bigger and in this regard, the National Export Strategy and Development program has targeted to increase non-traditional exports revenue to about $5 billion by 2019.

Government on its part is continually instituting policies and incentives to increase exports to help correct the country’s’ balance of trade deficit and this present good times to get involved with exports from Ghana.  One may however want to know the requirements or procedure when considering to export non-traditional products like foodstuffs, shea butter, handicrafts etc. Below is a possible guide to help potential exporters make an informed decision.

Requirements

1. Obtain a Non-Traditional Export form from the customs export shed at the port or frontier or appropriate location
2. Obtain certificates of origin from customs for Goods so as to benefit from preferential treatment in the EEC and other preference giving programmes like AGOA (USA)

It is also important to know that prior to obtaining the above you might have already taken sample of product to the standards authority for a standard certificate to be generated for you, you do not want to go through all this only for your products to be rejected or considered below standards for export.

Procedure

1. Complete customs non-traditional export Form and submit products to the export shed for inspection and examination by a customs officer .
2. Arrange for a shipping line or vessel for the carriage of your consignment , a bill of lading would be issued to you.
3. Submit copy of your bill of lading to the proper officer so as entries would be made .
4. Final endorsements of documents by the officer in charge of export or his assistant.
5. Lastly, entries or documents detached and copies sent to the bank of Ghana, Ghana Export Promotion Authority, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Statistical service, customs Headquarters etc at least by the 10^th of the following month.