Officials of White Stone Food Company Limited say they suspect a grand scheme by some importers of frozen foods, to denigrate their operations.

Some frozen food importers recently trouped to the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority to protest the against the recent decision to grant White Stone Foods Company Limited for granting them Customs Advance Ruling on Valuation making the company become a leading importer frozen foods.

The protestors had claimed the decision will make White Stone Foods monopolise the market and enjoy an unfair pricing to the disadvantage of its competitors.

But an unnamed management member noted in an interview that, the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority the Customs Advance Ruling on Valuation is backed by Section 12 of Act 891. The importer had been operating for over three decades until June 8, 2017, when it was granted the Customs Advance Ruling on Valuation. 

Advance rulings are binding decisions by Customs at the request of the person concerned on specific particulars in relation to the intended importation or exportation of goods. Advance rulings can be requested with regard to either the classification, the origin or the Customs value of the goods in preparation for importation or exportation.

The facility is renewable based on the valuation conducted by the Customs Division on the said product. The facility is only granted to importers who have over the years shown commitment to the state by paying their required import duties appropriately and on time.

The official said they were reliably informed, one other major importer of frozen foods (details withheld) was also granted the Customs Advanced Ruling on Valuation on June 22, 2017.