The Centre for Import and Export Control (CIEC) of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) is mandated to regulate the importation and exportation of food, drugs, cosmetics, household chemical substances, medical devices, biological products, and tobacco and substances of abuse in accordance with Parts 6 and 7 of the Public Health Act 851 of 2012 Sections 97 and 118. Thus, the CIEC operations are mainly carried out at the Tema Port and Kotoka International Airport (KIA) and collaborates with the FDA Regional Offices on land borders consignments clearance.
The CIEC archives its mandate through the activities of the following Departments:
- Data Management and Risk Control Department
- Import Control Department
- Export Control Department
Data Management and Risk Control Department
The mandate of the Data Management and Risk Control Department are defined in section 3.2 of the Centre’s guidelines on Import/Export Permit Processing and Clearance.
Scope of Mandate
The Department processes permit applications, establish and evaluate the risk selectivity of the National Risk Management System (NRMS) in the Integrated Custom Management System (ICUMS) and any other risk activities associated with import and export. The Department also collaborates with the FDA Regional Offices with land borders.
Operational Activities
The operational activities of the department are as follows:
- Permit processing ii. Data analysis
- Profiling of clients (Agents and Importers)
- Tracking of Uncleared Cargo Listed (UCL) for auction, FOB, misdescription, under declaration and gated-out consignments.
- Managing of detention notices issued to the various Directorates and Regional Offices.
- Collaborating and coordinating import and export activities with the Enforcement Directorate and Regional Offices with land borders.
- Managing of the risk selectivity of the National Risk Management System (NRMS) in the Integrated Custom Management System (ICUMS).
The Department has two (2) operational units:
- Data Analytics Unit
- Risk Control Unit
Import Control Department
The mandate of the Import Control Department (ICD) is defined in sections 97, 99, 107,116,118,120,122 and 123 of the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851).
Scope of Mandate
The Department is mandated to inspect and give clearance to containerised and bulk or vessel consignments at the point of entry. Licensing of Custom Bonded Warehouses used for storing FDA regulated products.
Operational Activities
The operational activities of the Department are as follows:
- Inspecting and clearance of import containerized consignments. ii. Inspecting and clearance of import bulk or vessel consignments. iii. Inspecting and licensing of Customs Bonded Warehouse.
- Ensuring that all imported FDA regulated products conform to the Public Health Act 2012 (Act 851) at the point of entry.
The Department has two (2) operational units:
Bulk Consignments Examination and Customs Bonded Warehouse Inspection Containerized Consignments Examination
Export Control Department
The mandate of the Export Control Department (ECD) is defined in sections 97, 99, and 107 of the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851).
Scope of Mandate
The Department is responsible for Export Inspections and issuance of Certificate of Manufacture and Free Sale and controls FDA regulated products earmarked for export or reexport.
Operational Activities
The operational activities of the Department are as follows: ❖ Inspection of export consignments
- Issuance of Certificate of Manufacture and Free Sale
- Control of FDA regulated products earmarked for export or for re-export.
The Department has two (2) operational units:
- Bulk Export Examination and certification Unit
- Courier and postal Services Control Unit
