Reject Increment By Global Tracking Maritime Solution (GTMS)
PHOTO: NCBAL President James Hinneh addressing the press in Monrovia
The National Customs Brookers Association of Liberia (NCBAL)has rejected to what it termed as unnecessary increment made on the inspection of containers by the Global Tracking Maritime Solution at the National Port Authority (NPA), as Augustine Octavius reports.
The association’s President, James Hinneh has instructed all custom brokers never to pay US$5,000 for a container based on the weight of the cargo.
Addressing a press conference at the Customs Brokers’ Bushrod Island office on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, Mr. Hinneh disclosed that the government and the GTMS have reached an agreement for customer to pay US$90 for a 20-foot container and US$190 for a 40- foot container.
According to Mr. Hinneh, some customs brokers have even paid up to US$20,000 for four containers just because of their weight these few days
“This increment ends up on the consumers and business community as well as the general public,” he said; adding: “Brokers have the historically paid 190 United States Dollars for heavy equipment clearance and we call on all custom brokers to resist any charges exceeding this amount.”
“The additional 15 United States Dollars ‘express fees’ introduced by the GTMS is not stipulated in its contract agreement signed with the Liberian government and must be removed.”
He noted that the review of cargo classifications and associated charges must be collaborative, timely and transparent to avoid disruption of legitimate trade.”
“The classification of equipment on flat racks must be aligned with globally accepted shipping standards and industrial practice and flat racks are specialized container variants designed for oversized loads, distinct from containerized cargo.”
According to Mr. Hinneh, “Even if such equipment were loose cargo, GTMS is not the cargo handling company because the APM Terminal, the shipping line, is responsible for transport and does not impose such fees.”
Hinneh claimed that the GTMS should remain within its contractual mandate; that is, assisting the NPA in monitoring cargo movement under international shipping port security regulations; adding: “It must not act as a handling company, carrier, or inspection entity.”
Meanwhile, Mr. has strongly condemned the altitude of the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Madeline Dagoseh for her deliberate refusal to have audience with the leadership of the organization to discuss several issues regarding the ministry’s delay in signing import permit declaration for custom brokers.
According to Mr. Hinneh, the custom leadership has sent communication, made call and even visited for her office twice but she has deliberately downplayed request for an audience with one of her ministry’s major stakeholders.
Hinneh expressed concern on the conduct of the Minister of Commerce because she has refused to allow the IPD system to go online, thereby centralizing control and creating unnecessary delays.
“This behavior has become embarrassment to the business community and and undermines Liberia’s credibility as a fair and transparent trading environment.”
Concluding, Mr. Hinneh made it unequivocally clear that if these issues persist, the association will be compelled to take unspecified actions to defend the interest of custom brokers, importers and the wider business community