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The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has suspended the mandatory pre-shipment inspection exercise for imported used vehicles, with a new implementation date expected to be announced later.
The Ghana Standards Authority has temporarily suspended its Pre-Shipment Verification of Conformity (PVoC) inspection exercise for used vehicles being imported into Ghana.
The suspension was announced in a public notice signed by the GSA Director-General, Professor George Agyei, on Monday, October 5, 2026.
The notice, numbered GSA/DGS/PN/26/11, informed vehicle importers and other stakeholders that the pre-shipment inspection exercise had been suspended.
The Authority said a new date for implementation would be communicated in due course.
FlexiPass Programme Suspended
The suspension comes after the GSA had previously reminded importers that all used motor vehicles destined for Ghana were required to undergo pre-shipment verification through an approved inspection agent under the FlexiPass Programme.
The programme was designed to ensure that vehicles complied with Ghana’s applicable safety and technical requirements before being shipped to the country.
Inspections were conducted against the GS 4510 standard, allowing non-conforming vehicles to be identified before shipment.
The system was intended to help protect importers and vehicle buyers from incurring freight, customs duties and other costs on vehicles that did not meet Ghanaian standards.
Under the programme, only inspection results and certificates issued by GSA-approved inspection bodies were recognised.
Two Inspection Companies Approved
The GSA had approved two companies to conduct inspections under the FlexiPass Programme:
- Autoterminal Japan
- EAA Company Limited
Both companies are accredited to the ISO/IEC 17020 standard for inspection bodies.
According to the GSA, the two companies operate more than 100 inspection locations across 15 countries and five regions, covering major markets from which used vehicles are exported to Ghana.
The Authority said the same GS 4510 requirements applied regardless of where a vehicle was inspected.
Where a fixed inspection centre was not convenient, the approved agents could also provide mobile inspection services at an exporter’s premises, auction site, port terminal or other agreed location.
Inspection Fees Varied by Country
Before the suspension, inspection fees under the FlexiPass Programme varied according to the vehicle’s country of origin.
The published fees included:
| Country/Region | Inspection Fee |
|---|---|
| Japan | US$200 |
| Korea, Singapore and other Asian countries | US$250 |
| China and India | US$250 |
| United Arab Emirates and African countries | US$250 |
| United Kingdom and European countries | US$300 |
| United States and North/South America | US$300 |
| Australia and New Zealand | US$300 |
The GSA said the fees were at or below standard international rates for pre-shipment verification of conformity.
GSA Warned Importers Against Unapproved Agents
Before the suspension, the Authority advised importers to deal only with the two approved inspection companies.
Importers were warned that inspection reports or certificates issued by other entities would not be accepted under the programme.
The GSA also encouraged importers to inspect vehicles before shipment and ensure that exporters arranged the required inspection before loading the vehicles.
Importers were further advised to verify inspection details before making payments and to contact the GSA or the approved inspection agent if they were uncertain about an inspection centre or certificate.
The Authority also urged the public to report any demand for fees above the approved charges.
New Implementation Date to Be Announced
With the inspection exercise now suspended, vehicle importers and other stakeholders will have to await further communication from the Ghana Standards Authority regarding when the programme will resume and whether any changes will be made to its implementation.
The GSA has advised stakeholders to rely on official communication from the Authority and its approved inspection agents for further updates.
For enquiries concerning vehicle homologation and inspection requirements, the GSA’s Vehicle Homologation Unit can be contacted through auto@gsa.gov.gh or the telephone numbers on +233 303980177, +233 256061634 or +233 557088261.
Importers are advised to exercise caution and verify any inspection-related information before making payments or shipping vehicles to Ghana.
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