‎GSA suspends pre-shipment inspection of used vehicles, new date to be announced

By: Godbless Asaana‎
‎The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has suspended the implementation of the pre-shipment inspection exercise for used vehicles imported into Ghana, providing a temporary reprieve for vehicle importers and other stakeholders.
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‎In a public notice issued on Monday, October 5, 2026, and signed by the Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority, Prof. George Agyei, the Authority said the effective date for the inspection exercise had been suspended, with a new date to be communicated later.
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‎“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 notice stated.
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‎The suspension comes shortly after the GSA had scheduled the enforcement of stricter vehicle import requirements from October 1, 2026, under its Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme and Ghana Standard GS 4510, which sets requirements for imported used vehicles.
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‎The programme was designed to ensure that used vehicles meet Ghana’s safety, quality and environmental standards before being shipped into the country.
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‎ It was also intended to prevent the importation of vehicles considered unsafe or seriously damaged, including flood-damaged, fire-damaged and structurally compromised vehicles.
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‎Under the proposed pre-shipment system, used vehicles were to be inspected by GSA-approved inspection bodies in their countries of origin, with vehicles that failed to meet the applicable standards not receiving the required conformity certification.
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‎The GSA, however, did not state a reason for the latest suspension.
‎The Authority assured stakeholders that a new implementation date would be communicated in due course.
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‎“A new date for its implementation will be communicated in due course. Thank you for your cooperation,” the notice concluded.