GSA enforces new rule banning import of used vehicles above 10 years

By Prince Antwi August 1, 2026

The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has announced that it will begin enforcing its Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme for imported vehicles on October 1, 2026, as part of efforts to improve road safety and prevent the entry of substandard vehicles into the country.

Under the new policy, all used vehicles destined for Ghana must be inspected and certified in the exporting country to ensure they meet the requirements of GS 4510, the national standard governing the importation of used vehicles.

The initiative is intended to stop unsafe and defective vehicles from entering the Ghanaian market, ensure compliance with national safety and environmental standards, enhance the traceability of imported vehicles and protect both consumers and the environment.

As part of the inspection process, vehicles with serious structural or safety defects will not be cleared for importation. This includes vehicles that have been damaged by floods, submerged in water, destroyed by fire or have compromised chassis or safety cage structures such as bent, cracked, broken or twisted frames.

The standard also prohibits the importation of factory-built right-hand-drive vehicles, vehicles assembled from spare parts, vehicles without speedometers calibrated in kilometres per hour and vehicles that are more than 10 years old.

According to the GSA, the implementation of the PVoC programme will improve the quality and safety of vehicles entering the country, provide better value for consumers and strengthen regulation within Ghana’s automotive sector.

The Authority also believes the initiative will help formalise the used-vehicle market, improve access to vehicle financing and boost investor confidence in the industry.

Speaking after a stakeholder engagement, the GSA’s Deputy Director-General for General Services, Samuel Abdulai Jabanyite, said the programme now enjoys the support of stakeholders who had previously raised concerns about its implementation.

He explained that the initiative is aimed at closing loopholes that have allowed Ghana to become a destination for defective vehicles that pose risks to public safety and the environment.

“We are trying to close a major loophole that has allowed our country to become a dumping ground for unsafe vehicles that endanger lives and create environmental hazards. That era must come to an end,” he said.

Mr Jabanyite clarified that while severely damaged vehicles, including those affected by flooding or fire, would be rejected outright, vehicles with minor defects that can be safely repaired and certified as roadworthy would still be allowed into the country. He added that accredited third-party inspection agencies have the expertise and capacity to carry out the required assessments before shipment.

In addition to the PVoC programme, the GSA is preparing to roll out the Vehicle Dealer Information System (VEDIS) to strengthen oversight of vehicle imports and curb the registration of stolen vehicles.

Mr Jabanyite explained that the digital platform will integrate data from key institutions, including the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), insurance companies, Interpol, National Security and the GSA, enabling real-time information sharing.

He said the interconnected system will make it easier to identify stolen vehicles, verify compliance with Ghana’s standards and ensure that only legally imported and roadworthy vehicles are registered for use in the country.