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Resources Page
Guidelines
GIFF'S RECOMMENDATIONS TO SHIPPERS
WHEN
ENGAGING THE SERVICES OF A FREIGHT FORWARDER
Because the country's laws allow freedom of company registration,
there may be few companies which though legally registered, are not
members of Giff. As such they are not bound by Giff's rules for its
members, and therefore not subject to the Institute's oversight. Giff is
however working to ensure only genuine companies/members who are
"properly controlled" can offer their services to customers. If in doubt
ask to see the agent's membership card which all GIFF members are
required to carry when engaged in the service of their companies. The following
guidelines are however drawn up for guidance of customers when they need
to deal with freight forwarders.
Deciding on a Freight Forwarder:
Unfortunately many customers in Ghana
do not know freight forwarders are of different kinds who offer
different services. The main activities our members engage in are
summarized and explained below. For more information on activities
contact a freight forwarder on the list, or info@ghanafreighforwarders.org.
Clearing and Forwarding
This mainly involves custom brokerage.
Most of our members do this. The custom house agent is a designated
custom specialist who has been duly examined and licensed by the Ghana
Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS). He carries out all
required documentation procedures and pays all required taxes and duties
on the goods. You can give him cash or bankers draft and request for the
official receipt from the receiving organization, (customs, etc). For
rendering this service on your behalf he is entitled by law to charge
you a fee. Pay him only after he has fully completed the contract,
delivered goods outside harbor or at your warehouse. For transparency
you should always insist on properly itemized receipts. Refuse such
receipts bearing things like miscellaneous etc unless it has been
previously agreed upon.
Freight Forwarding
This involves moving of goods from one
point to another. Most of our members will clear your goods and also
arrange delivery at your local warehouse. Freight forwarding however
involves someone who will pick up your goods, containerize it and send
it to destination. Some of our members also do this on international
level and will help to arrange movement of goods around the world
through their well established extensive international network of
agents. The depth of knowledge of world freight rates, shipping routes
and other aspects of international movement of cargo required for
effective service provision in this area is why Giff has decided to make
knowledge acquisition in this field a major part of its training
program.
Non Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC)
In line with modern trends and its
reputation as The architects of Ghana's International Tradeway, Giff is
working hard towards the establishment of this service as a part of the
country's logistic chain configuration. It is a concept which involves
the ability of Giff members to acquire the resources to enable them
receive cargo, negotiate shipping space at favorable terms and move them
under their own carriage contract of affreightment. The implication of
this for the national economy will be a control of our "ability to
deliver goods on the international markets at the lowest possible costs"
now a major determinant of export competiveness.
For a brochure on this concept contact the Giff
Secretariat.
We also have members who specialize in moving goods with their own fleet
(Transportation) or through arrangements (Haulage)
Some members work at Container Freight Stations (CFS) to consolidate and
unconsolidate cargo to minimize costs and ease of movement. These are
the Consolidators and Packagers.
The service one needs therefore decides which freight forwarder to use.
Our contact list contains a section on capabilities which indicates the
sort of services offered by the company and where they operate. In all
cases a nominated Giff company can also arrange to work in an area where
it is not represented. All Giff companies can also arrange to carry out
most type of services in Freight Forwarding through our extensive
membership network. If in doubt contact the secretariat which will put
you in touch with the right service provider.
If you have any complaints or suggestions about services rendered by a
Giff member you can contact us
here.
Alternatively you can find some answers to frequently asked questions
here.
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