The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has suspended the pre-shipment inspection of imported used vehicles, a programme that would have required importers to pay between US$200 and US$300 per vehicle for inspection before shipment to Ghana. The suspension was announced in a public notice on Monday, October 5, 2026.
The notice, signed by GSA Director-General Prof. George Agyei, said: “The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) wishes to inform vehicle importers and all stakeholders that the Pre-shipment Inspection exercise for imported used vehicles has been suspended.”
The Authority added that “a new date for its implementation will be communicated in due course.” No new date or reason for the suspension was given.
The inspection exercise had been scheduled for strict enforcement from October 1, 2026, following an announcement at a GSA media engagement on July 31, 2026.
GSA pre-shipment inspection suspended until further notice
The suspended exercise falls under the GSA’s FlexiPass Programme, which requires used motor vehicles destined for Ghana to undergo Pre-Shipment Verification of Conformity by approved inspection agents.
Vehicles were to be checked against Ghana Standard GS 4510 to identify unsafe or non-compliant units before they are shipped. The aim was to protect buyers from paying freight and import duties on defective vehicles.
Vehicles that failed to meet the standard would have been denied FlexiPass certification and barred from entering Ghana.
Used vehicle inspection fees importers would have paid
Under the suspended regime, inspection fees varied according to the country of export:
- Japan: US$200 per vehicle
- China, India, Korea, Singapore, UAE and African countries: US$250 per vehicle
- UK, Europe, USA, Canada, South America, Australia and New Zealand: US$300 per vehicle
The inspections were to be carried out by two GSA-approved bodies, Autoterminal Japan and EAA Company Limited. Both hold ISO/IEC 17020 accreditation and operate more than 100 inspection locations across 15 countries in five regions.
Other vehicle import restrictions still in force
The suspension affects only the pre-shipment inspection exercise. Other used vehicle import restrictions that took effect on October 1, 2026, remain in place.
These include:
- A ban on vehicles older than 15 years
- A ban on flood- or fire-damaged vehicles
- A ban on vehicles with damaged chassis or broken safety cages, or those assembled from spare parts
- A ban on vehicles without speedometers that display kilometres per hour
GhanaTrends earlier explained what importers and car buyers need to know about the GSA ban on over-15-year-old vehicles.
What the suspension means for vehicle importers
For now, importers and car dealers shipping used vehicles to Ghana will not need to secure a pre-shipment inspection or pay the US$200 to US$300 fee before shipping.
However, vehicles must still meet the other import rules, including the age limit and the bans on damaged vehicles. Importers who ship non-compliant cars risk having them refused at the port.
Buyers ordering vehicles from abroad should also keep in mind that the inspection requirement has been paused, not cancelled, and could return once the GSA announces a new date.
What happens next
The GSA says it will announce a new implementation date for the pre-shipment inspection exercise. Until then, the exercise is on hold.
Importers seeking clarification can contact the GSA’s Vehicle Homologation Unit on +233 303980177, +233 256061634 or +233 557088261. Official updates are published on the Ghana Standards Authority website.
Key details at a glance
- What: Pre-shipment inspection of imported used vehicles suspended
- Who: Ghana Standards Authority, notice signed by Director-General Prof. George Agyei
- When: Notice issued Monday, October 5, 2026
- Original enforcement date: October 1, 2026
- Fees affected: US$200 (Japan), US$250 (Asia, UAE, Africa), US$300 (UK, Europe, Americas, Australia, NZ)
- Still in force: 15-year age limit and bans on salvaged or damaged vehicles
- New date: To be announced
FAQs
Has GSA cancelled pre-shipment inspection for used cars?
No. The GSA has suspended the exercise, not cancelled it, and says a new implementation date will be communicated in due course.
Is the ban on cars older than 15 years still in force in Ghana?
Yes. The suspension covers only pre-shipment inspection. The 15-year age limit and bans on flood-, fire- and accident-damaged vehicles remain in effect.
How much was the GSA pre-shipment inspection fee?
Fees were US$200 for vehicles from Japan, US$250 from China, India, Korea, Singapore, the UAE and African countries, and US$300 from the UK, Europe, the Americas, Australia and New Zealand.
The GSA’s suspension of pre-shipment inspection gives used vehicle importers temporary relief from an extra US$200 to US$300 cost per car, but the 15-year age limit and bans on damaged vehicles still apply, and the inspection requirement could return once a new date is announced.
