Ghana
Key documents required for timber legality and trade of Ghana
The below listed key documents are based on the applicable legislation and are considered to play a key role in demonstrating legal origin. The full list of applicable legislation is accessible here.
Harvesting
| Key document | Explanation | Legal authority | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate to commence business | Proof of registration as commercial business in Ghana. | Registrar of Companies | |
| Tax clearance certificate | This certificate is the proof of payment of all taxes and fees. | Ghana Revenue Authority | |
| Valid felling permit | A felling permit demonstrates that the holder of the permit received permission of the holder of the forest resource, holds a valid Timber Utilisation Contract or Salvage permit issued by the relevant authorities, and that the logger complied with forestry operation procedures and standards. Attached example is the format for off-reserve harvesting. | Forest Service Division (FSD), Forestry Commission | |
| Valid Property Mark (Form C) | The holder of valid property mark (Form C) signifies a duly recognised logger in good standing with the Forestry Commission. A holder of a valid felling permit without a valid property mark (Form C) cannot harvest and convey logs. The property mark is used on e.g. the LMCC. | Forest Service Division (FSD), Forestry Commission | |
| Log measurement and conveyance certificate (LMCC) | A LMCC is issued for conveyance of logs from the log yard (in the forest) to its final destination on a vehicle basis. The LMCC is stamped by the District Forestry Office and signed by the Forestry official before the logs leave the forest. | Forestry Commission | |
| Invoice | The waybill will be prepared by the selling party, and needs to include i.a. the company’s property mark, the origin and destination of the load, and the details of the product. | ||
| Waybill | The waybill will be prepared by the selling party, and needs to include i.a. the company’s property mark, the origin and destination of the load, and the details of the product. |
Processing & Trade
| Key document | Explanation | Legal authority | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate to commence business | Proof of registration as commercial business in Ghana. | Registrar of Companies | |
| Tax clearance certificate | This certificate is the proof of payment of all taxes and fees. | Ghana Revenue Authority | |
| Invoice | The sales invoice will be prepared by the selling party. | ||
| Waybill | The waybill will be prepared by the selling party, and needs to include i.a. the company’s property mark when directly sourced from the forest, the origin and destination of the load, and the details of the product. | ||
| Exporters Registration Certificate | All exporters of timber and wood products are required to officially register with TIDD. The certificate expires on December 31st every year and is renewable upon re-application. | TIDD, Forestry commission | |
| Export contract | The export contract will be prepared by the selling party, but the TIDD of the Forestry Commission needs to approve export sales contracts |